Drs. Jerome A. Revello and Hugo Ciullo established their scholarship fund in 1994. The groundwork for the scholarship began several years earlier, however, when Jerome and Hugo conducted a “matching challenge” with the members of the Southern New Jersey/Stockton College Chapter of PDK to “grow” the fund. Each committed to match the donations of 40 chapter members who contributed at least $25 to the PDK Educational Foundation. In 1999, due to the extraordinary efforts of these two members and the chapter, the first award winner was announced and recipients have been awarded each year since that time.

Dr. Revello, who also established a second endowed scholarship upon his death, was a 41-year and emeritus member of Phi Delta Kappa. He held dual membership in the University of Pennsylvania Chapter and Southern New Jersey/Richard J. Stockton College Chapter. Jerome served as president of the University of Pennsylvania Chapter from 1968 to 1970 and received a PDK Service Key in 1971. In New Jersey, he assisted with the organization of the new chapter in 1981 and was the chapter's foundation co-representative from 1988 to 1999.

Dr. Ciullo, a 34-year and emeritus member, also held dual membership in the University of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey/Richard J. Stockton College chapters and served as a chapter officer in both chapters. He was a charter member of the New Jersey chapter and received two Service Keys. From 1978 to 1980 Hugo served in officer roles for the University of Pennsylvania Chapter and was the foundation co-representative for the Southern New Jersey Chapter from 1988 to 1999.