Brian Henry Swatt was an Eagle Scout from Troop 87, Mayfield PA and a Vigil Honor member of Lowwapaneu Lodge 191. Brian served the Northeastern Pennsylvania Council in many capacities, including as a six-year summer camp staff member at Goose Pond Scout Reservation. Brian was active in the former Section NE-5B, serving as section secretary from 2015-2016 and vice chief for 2016-2017. Brian’s passion for service was a matter of public record as well: from 2016-2018, he was president of the student government association at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and, in 2017, was appointed by PA Governor Tom Wolf to serve on the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governor’s. Brian’s Vigil name, Chief who Speaks Eloquently, was a reflection of his selfless legacy of leadership. Before Brian tragically and suddenly passed away in June of 2019, he was a friend and mentor to everyone he encountered, and inspired the next generation of Scouting leaders across his council and the section.

To honor Brian’s legacy of leadership and service, the 2019-20 Section NE-5 Council of Chiefs voted to create the Brian H. Swatt National and Sectional Events Memorial Scholarship in the hopes of providing monetary support to Arrowmen within the section by awarding a partial or full scholarship to one of the Order of the Arrow’s national events, including the National Order of the Arrow Conference, Operation Arrow, the National Council of Chiefs, etc., or the Section Conclave. In 2026, this scholarship will provide monetary support for youth Arrowmen between the ages of 16 and 20 to staff Operation Arrow as part of the National Jamboree. More information on Operation Arrow can be found at https://oa-scouting.org/program/events/jamboree. 

It is the purpose of the section to help provide for the Arrowmen of E17 in hopes to enhance their Order of the Arrow experience through participation in one of these programs. All programs are the epitome of what the OA represents: the ideals of brotherhood, cheerfulness and service. Thus, Section E17 supports these programs and offers financial assistance to any E17 lodge member.

The Brian H. Swatt Memorial Scholarship is reserved for those individuals who exhibit interest in the OA and a commitment to service, as well as a future commitment to the Order of the Arrow in their home lodges. It is expected that the recipients continue their service in the OA, as well as bring the enthusiasm gained from these events back to their home units, councils, chapters and lodges. At the end of their experience, each recipient will be required to provide the section with an account of their experiences to be posted on section social media for recognition and promotion for the events and the scholarship.