The largest crowd in the 16-year history of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Student Scholarship Auction participated in an evening of festivities on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. Beginning with the silent auction and ending with the excitement of each bid in the live auction, over 800 guests took part in the College’s signature fundraising event to benefit deserving medical and pharmacy students.
Guests bid on a host of unique items, including a trip to Cancun, ticket packages for Pittsburgh Steelers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish football games, and several beautiful jewelry items, among others. More than 550 items were available for bidding.
First-year LECOM School of Pharmacy Bradenton student Robert Schmidt won the $1,250 savings bond in the Auction sweepstakes. Judy Petrakos, parent of LECOM Bradenton second-year medical student Gina Petrakos, won the $500 bond. Linda Olson, parent of Erie second-year medical student Jeff Olson, won the $250 bond.
As LECOM grows, it continues to offer benefits to its osteopathic and pharmacy students, and the community it serves. The school makes these types of investments to ensure a fiscally and medically healthy community where our students learn and work. Providing this kind of top-quality educational experience where students can obtain a medical or pharmacy degree creates financial burdens for LECOM students.
While LECOM maintains one of the lowest private medical school tuitions, students face mounting debt as they complete their education. Most medical students graduate owing more than $150,000. Through donations to the Student Scholarship Fund and events such as the scholarship auction, LECOM is able to help deserving students fulfill their dreams.
The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and LECOM School of Pharmacy offer innovative and affordable education in osteopathic medicine and pharmacy. From campuses in Erie, Pennsylvania, Greensburg, Pennsylvania and Bradenton, Florida, LECOM provides student-centered pathways to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.
