Mercyhurst, PILA create new scholarship to stem tide of declining lifeguards

When Presque Isle State Park could not fill all the open positions for lifeguards last summer, water safety became a critical concern for everyone from park administrators to tourists.

COVID-19, the increased demand for lifeguards from area aquatic facilities, and the decrease in the number of local high school swimmers coalesced to reduce the number of lifeguards applying to work at Presque Isle, said Lake Erie Lifeguard Manager Robert North. As a result of the shortage, the park was unable to guard all the swimming beaches last season, and some were only guarded on weekends, he added.

Out of that need, Mercyhurst University and the Presque Isle Lifeguard Association (PILA) created a new scholarship designed to recruit more lifeguards and ease the recent shortages. Up to $1,000 annually will be awarded to qualifying high school students who enroll full time at Mercyhurst as well as current Mercyhurst students choosing to become Presque Isle lifeguards, said Steve Gregg, director of graduate, professional, and strategic enrollment at Mercyhurst.

“Besides supporting our community, this scholarship also creates an opportunity for Mercyhurst to reward and recruit the type of service-oriented students that we value,” Gregg said.

Meanwhile, as North prepares for another recruiting season, he hopes the Mercyhurst scholarship is one more incentive to encourage students to become Presque Isle lifeguards. “Ours is much more than a job,” he said. “For the right person, we provide a lot of training and leadership opportunities that help students transition from high school to college and to careers in many fields.”

Former lifeguards who have gone on to productive and rewarding careers, most recently two retired Navy admirals and a Navy SEAL, regularly meet with current lifeguards to share how their Presque Isle experience established a strong foundation for their future success.

“Now I can add that ‘if you are planning on going to Mercyhurst and come work for us, we can give you a scholarship,’ which might be just the motivation they need,” North said.

Visit the Mercyhurst University website for more information or to apply for the scholarship.

PHOTO: Mercyhurst President Kathy Getz and PILA President Jim Vieira sign new scholarship agreement.