LATROBE, PA – Saint Vincent College has announced that Makenna Maier, a senior mathematics education major from Butler, has been awarded the 2026 Kathleen Durkin Bendel Memorial Scholarship.
Maier, the daughter of Mark and Jill Maier, was recognized at the Department of Education’s end-of-year celebration for her outstanding academic performance, leadership, service and compassion—all qualities that reflect the legacy of the late Kathleen Durkin Bendel.
Established by Bendel’s husband, James Bendel, C’60, H’85, the scholarship honors the memory of a beloved teacher whose lifelong dedication to her students and community left an enduring impact.
The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to an education major or minor who is either a junior or in their final year before student teaching. The recipient is selected by the College’s Department of Education for exemplifying the values Bendel championed: academic excellence, empathy, service and leadership.
Maier is actively involved in numerous leadership and service initiatives at Saint Vincent College. She is a four-year member of the women’s basketball team, serving as team co-captain during the 2025-26 season, and is a member of the Mathematics Club and Education Club. Maier also serves as a math tutor for high school students and leads an elementary summer basketball camp for girls in grades three through six.
She has earned numerous academic and athletic honors, including membership in Pi Mu Epsilon (national honorary mathematics society), Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education and Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society. She has been named to the Dean’s List every semester and received Second Team All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference honors as both a junior and senior, along with College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recognition her junior and senior years.
Maier’s commitment to inclusion, academic excellence and servant leadership makes her a deserving recipient of this distinguished award.
