November 1 Issue - Newspaper - Page 10
EDITION 10
Page 10
May 13 2025
Investing in Tomorrow's Leaders
W&J College's Anita Rawnsley Scholarship Program
Makes a Lasting Impact
Dr. Elizabeth MacLeod
Walls, who assumed the
role of president in June
2024, emphasized the
significance of the
scholarship in the
college's broader mission.
"The Anita Rawnsley
Scholarship embodies our
commitment to fostering
a diverse and inclusive
academic community,"
said Dr. MacLeod Walls.
"By supporting students
who demonstrate
exceptional promise, we
are investing in the future
leaders who will continue
to uphold the values and
traditions that define
Washington & Jefferson
College."
14th President of Washington and Jefferson College Dr.
Elizabeth MacLeod Walls
Washington & Jefferson
College continues its
long-standing tradition of
academic excellence and
civic leadership through
its prestigious Anita
Rawnsley Scholarship
program, designed to
empower high-achieving
students with financial
need. The scholarship,
named in honor of the
late Anita Rawnsley, a
dedicated advocate for
education and access,
reflects the college’s core
mission: preparing
students for lives of
purpose and leadership.
Awarded annually to
select students who
demonstrate exceptional
academic merit,
leadership potential, and
community involvement,
JULIO SANCHEZ
HUSTLING FOR SOBRIETY
By Toni Fitch
Julio Sanchez has been a
hustler all his life. When
he settled in Washington,
PA, he thought he was
putting a life spent on the
drug-riddled streets of his
native Bronx, NY, behind
him. Unfortunately, it
wasn't that simple.
Sanchez described
himself as "an addict all
my life." It was when he
moved to Washington that
he began using "hard
drugs." Still, he had to
find a way to make
money. He began his
hustle by selling
marijuana and was
arrested and incarcerated
for dealing.
"When I came out of state
prison, I had a big idea of
selling heroin," he
continued. He was
dealing heroin while he
was still on parole. From
there, he began using his
supply. He states that the
Julio Sanchez on the right path to
sobriety
euphoria of using the
drug made him feel "like
a million bucks." When
his stash began to get low,
he realized he had a
problem, feeling the
"sickness of not having
heroin," as he describes
it. He experienced
withdrawal symptoms
while waiting to replenish
his supply.
Within 6-8 months,
Sanchez "realized I had to
go to rehab" to get his life
back. He had gone from
snorting the drug to
the Rawnsley Scholarship
serves as both financial
aid and a mark of
distinction. It allows
recipients to fully
immerse themselves in
W&J's rigorous liberal
arts curriculum, rich
campus life, and
opportunities for
research, internships, and
global learning.
injecting it. He had to
cover up the bruises
caused by the needle and
tried to keep it from his
wife so she wouldn't find
out about his growing
addiction. He confessed
his problem to her, and
they worked to get him
into a facility for the first
time.
He thought that he would
still be able to sell the
drug without partaking in
it. Sadly, he was
mistaken. As soon as he
started dealing again, he
"lost any ability to control
myself." He said that he
wasn't even home for 30
minutes from rehab
before he started using
again.
A feeling of shame and
embarrassment came over
him, yet he continued
using. Between selling
drugs and doing drugs,
Sanchez was fighting a
losing battle. Then he told
himself he "had to get
clean." He stopped selling
drugs, but now he needed
money to support his
habit. He resorted to
selling and stealing
The impact of
scholarships like
Rawnsley's is evident in
the lives of W&J
graduates who have gone
on to achieve national and
international distinction.
Among the college’s
many notable alumni is
James G. Blaine (Class of
1847), a powerful
19th-century political
figure who served as
Speaker of the House,
U.S. Senator, and
Secretary of State.
Another alumnus, Joseph
A. Walker (Class of
1942), became the first
American civilian
astronaut, flying the X-15
rocket plane into space.
Contemporary figures
also exemplify the
college’s commitment to
excellence, including
Roger Goodell (Class of
1981), current
Commissioner of the
National Football League,
and Shirley M. Malcom
(Class of 1967), a
whatever he could to feed
his sickness. He was
hustling to keep himself
on drugs. At this point, he
was "in and out of rehab
for years."
Ultimately, after fifteen
stints in rehab, he was
able to achieve his
recovery. Through detox,
rehab programs, and
using prescribed drugs
such as suboxone,
Sanchez finally kicked
heroin. But it was a long,
arduous journey to get
there.
Eventually, Sanchez
ended up at the
Washington City Mission,
where he met the late
Doug Bush, who played
an instrumental role in
helping many people get
clean. Prayer and rehab
were big parts of
Sanchez's program.
Finally, after many years,
Sanchez hustled to get
nationally respected
advocate for diversity in
science and education,
currently serving as a
senior advisor at the
American Association for
the Advancement of
Science. E. Ronald
Salvitti (1959) World
renown ophthalmologist
and entrepreneur. David
Ross (1978) Real Estate
Developer, Melissa
Hart(1984) Member of
U.S. Congress.
Many of these
accomplished individuals
benefited from a culture
of support and academic
rigor—an environment
that the Anita Rawnsley
Scholarship continues to
nurture. With each new
cohort of recipients, the
program helps cultivate
the next generation of
W&J graduates destined
to follow in the footsteps
of its storied alumni.
"The Rawnsley
Scholarship is not just an
award—it's an investment
in future trailblazers,"
said "From public service
and science to arts and
athletics, our students are
proving that W&J
remains a launching pad
for greatness."
As Washington &
Jefferson College looks
toward its future, the
Anita Rawnsley
Scholarship stands as a
powerful reminder of
how individual
philanthropy can unlock
extraordinary
potential—and how a
strong educational
foundation can ripple
through generations.
himself clean for good.
His involvement with
Narcotics Anonymous led
him to become a Certified
Recovery Specialist.
Sanchez hustles to work
his program while
carrying on in Bush's
memory by assisting
others on their sober
journey. It hasn't always
been easy. There were
many times that he
relapsed. Then he
decided, "You've got to
be all in or all out."
Sanchez is also grateful
for the support that Matt
Uram of Serenity Farms,
Inc. has given him. He
practices his trade at the
Landmark Building while
he continues to hustle for
his own sobriety.
If you or a loved one has
problems with drug or
alcohol abuse, contact
www.serenityfarmsinc.org
for help.
