Dr. Nancy Kymn Harvin Rutigliano

Nancy C. Harvin "Bless Your Heart” Scholarship

The Nancy C. Harvin "Bless Your Heart” Scholarship was created in 2015 by Dr. Nancy Kymn Harvin Rutigliano, a professor at SUNY Empire State College in the Center for Distance Learning. The scholarship honors her mother, Nancy Collier Harvin, who is known for her deep wisdom, sage advice, and Southern hospitality.

Mrs. Harvin is a loving mother of five who devotes her life to her children, grandchildren, friends and the judges of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, whom she has served for decades.

Nancy loves people. Whether you are the boy who cuts her grass, a neighbor of 40 years, the Chief Judge or someone who simply stops by her desk seeking information, Nancy treats you like royalty. While people remember her Southern accent, her ready smile, her “Bless your heart” expression of caring, they most remember how she makes them feel: special.

In addition, Nancy is a trailblazer. She was the first woman to be a member of the borough council in Brookhaven, Pennsylvania where she has resided for over 40 years. She courageously voted her conscience time and time again, often when it was not popular to do so. Her passion for politics and public service ignited the interest of her oldest daughter and namesake, Nancy Kymn, who studied political science and journalism as an undergrad and held leadership positions in state government and corporate America before joined the faculty of SUNY Empire State College in 2010. In addition to mentoring students and teaching leadership, ethics, and organizational behavior, Dr. Rutigliano advocates for criminal justice reform across our country.

“My mother is my hero. She taught me to love wholeheartedly and fight for those most people ignore or scorn. By her example, she taught me to work hard, look for the best in others, and give to the less fortunate,” said Kymn. “Although she never had the opportunity to go to college, she is one of the smartest people I know. She makes me want to be the best I can be every single day.”

This scholarship is designed to support students in need who reflect Nancy’s life of service and values and want to “bless hearts” as she has done throughout her life. Preference is given to students who are beginning or returning to college after raising a family or caring for those in need; have a passion for serving others and our country; seek to be “trailblazers” and courageous leaders who fight for the less fortunate, and enroll through the Center for Distance Learning where her daughter is a mentor.