GTSF - Matthew Cunningham Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Matthew Cunningham Memorial Scholarship was established in 2002 to honor and continue Matthew’s legacy.

Matthew graduated from Butler Senior High School in 1994, where he was active in intramural sports and the Environmental and Outdoor Clubs. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the varsity tennis team. He was also listed in “Who’s Who of American High School Students” three consecutive years and received the Presidential Academic Fitness Award numerous times.

After graduating from high school, Matthew attended Penn State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Renewable Resource Economics in 1999 and was a consistent dean’s list student. He was active in the Environmental Economics Club, Eco-Action and the PSU Adopt-A- Highway program. During the summer months, he was a volunteer fireman and worked at North Pittsburgh Telephone Company.

After graduating from Penn State, he attended Law School at the University of California - Davis. Before starting law school, he worked as a volunteer for the Legal Aid Society/Employment Law Center and the Earth Island Institute in San Francisco. While at the Earth Island Institute, he co-authored a report, “Drilling to Disaster” for the Bluewater Network. He worked to support numerous causes that he believed in, including, legal representation for those who cannot afford it, greater use of renewable resources, and animal rights. He was a poet, writer and musician.

On Dec. 2, 2001, Matthew tragically died as a result of a brain aneurysm. He gave the gift of life through organ/tissue donation.

The Matthew Cunningham Memorial Scholarship is endowed to perpetually award a minimum of $1,000 annually to a graduating senior at the Butler Area High School, who plans to major in one of the Environmental Sciences.  For information on applying, please contact the Guidance Counselors Office at Butler High School.