Mayor Joseph F. Coyne III spent a lifetime in service. From spending 27 years as a proud Army serviceman to over 25 years as a councilmember and Mayor, respectively, his community meant the world to him.
He served in the U.S. Navy, having four years of active duty aboard the USS Saratoga. Additionally, he served for 23 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, having served in the Persian Gulf Conflict, Desert Storm-Desert Shield and retiring in 1998. He brought proficiency and expertise to his challenging assignments, and his conduct, performance and devotion to duty reflected his allegiance to the highest standards of military service.
At the time of his passing in 2008, Mr. Coyne was serving his third term as mayor of the Borough of Exeter; prior to that, he was a member of the Exeter Borough Council for 17 years. He was always there to help his neighbors, fellow soldiers, colleagues and most importantly, his family. He was the epitome of #ExeterProud and truly strived to “put Exeter on the map” in everything he did as a public servant to the Borough.
He was also an avid Wyoming Area Warrior fan, through and through, attending as many Warrior sporting events that he was able.
This scholarship is being given by his daughter Barbara (WA ’80) and her husband, Carlos Velazquez and granddaughter, former Exeter Mayor Cassandra Coleman (WA ’06). Cassandra had the distinct honor of serving out the remainder of her grandfather’s elected term as Mayor and was then re-elected twice to the position. When Cassandra was sworn in at the age of 20, she was the youngest serving female mayor in the country, something that allowed her the ability to truly “put Exeter on the map.”
REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be Wyoming Area graduating seniors residing in Exeter Borough. Applicants may be planning on attending a community college, a two or four year college or university. Preference will be given to those applicants who plan on pursuing a career in public administration, political science, general government or a career in the military. Other related majors may be considered.
ESSAY:In a solid essay of at least 500 words, tell us: