Penn College News

Record-Setting Crowd Celebrates Commitment to Students

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Guests gather in the SASC lobby prior to the start of the ceremony. Attendees view a video showcasing the success resulting from student scholarships. With the donor wall as a visually stunning accent, the president welcomes the crowd as Loni N. Kline, vice president for institutional advancement, stands ready to hand out gifts of appreciation. Representing Novatec Inc., Timothy Noggle accepts his company’s Ambassador's Society recognition.Unique floral arrangements, using sheet metal and rebar from the welding and aviation labs, were crafted by alumna Karen R. Ruhl.The largest crowd in the event's 14-year history shared in Monday night's recognition of the alumni, corporate partners, friends and colleagues whose cumulative giving – reflected on a Donor Wall in the Student & Administrative Services Center – leaves a lasting impression on the college's campuses and students.

"This year, we are honored to recognize the individuals and corporate partners whose donations and entrustments place them on the wall for the first time, or in a new membership society," President Davie Jane Gilmour said. "Together, their collective commitments total nearly $6.5 million. To everyone in the room, your contributions to Penn College are at work ensuring that our students benefit from a vibrant, challenging and supportive learning environment while they pursue their 'degrees that work.'"



Among highlights of the president's remarks:

  • The Penn College Foundation has awarded more than $700,000 in scholarship support to nearly 500 students in this academic year alone, and classrooms and academic labs have been enhanced with new equipment and technology.

  • As Wildcat student-athletes make their mark in NCAA Division III athletics, the college has been able to improve facilities and encourage travel outside of traditional competition.

  • The college this year dedicated the Major General Fred F. Marty, USA Retired Veteran’s & Military Resource Center, which serves as a comprehensive site for 363 veteran students, 71 enrollees who continue to serve in all branches and 20 ROTC participants.

  • Under construction is the Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College – a space designed by students and enabling users to complete multidisciplinary projects representing a combination of architecture, engineering, fabrication and education.


The night's honorees:

Millionaire's Society ($1 million+)
James and Joyce Wolyniec, James, Jr. and Michele Wolyniec, Wolyniec Construction Inc.*

Golden Society ($500,000+)
Barbara S. Bressler Estate
Chevron*
Fronius USA LLC*
D. L. Stroehmann*

Visionary Society ($100,000+)
Allison Crane & Rigging*
Anderson Equipment Company*
Robert G. and Nancy C. Bowers*
Al and Jane Clapps*
CLOOS Robotic Welding, Inc.
James E. Cunningham*
Robert and Maureen Dunham*
Richard L. Fetter ‘75
Thomas and Sarah Gehret - Norcen Industries Inc.
Dan and Suzie Hawbaker*
The Herman O. West Foundation
Herman and Molly Logue*
Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. An ITW Company*
Jack and Val Minnier-AT&T Foundation*
PPG Industries, Inc. *
Bruce Richards
Suburban Contractors Association of Pennsylvania Inc. *
Anonymous

Heritage Society ($50,000+)
Dennis and Verna Correll*
Anita M. Gibbons*
Frederick T. Gilmour*
Steve and Mary Ann Johnson*
David L. ‘82 and Kathleen A. ‘94, ‘07 Maciejewski
Richard and Marion Leonhard/Southwestern Industries
Patrick and Trisha Marty*
Ray and Shelly Mattie*
RPM Foundation*
Elliott and Carolyn Strickland*
Albert R. and Judith Styrcula*
Valley Farms LLC *
Robert C. Weaver, Jr.
Marshall D. Welch III
Ralph E. Wolstenholme*

Ambassador's Society ($25,000+)
Ed & Linda Alberts
Carl N. Beaver ‘62
Jeannette F. Carter
Marlin R. ‘78 and Brenda L. Cromley
Mike and Marsha Cunningham
Milo G. and Betty P. Edkin
FGH Systems, Inc.
Bill and Mary Fish
William F. Geyer and Dorothy J. Gerring
Husky Injection Molding Systems Inc.
Terry Messer
Elizabeth Meyer & Mark Fuhrer
Novatec, Inc.
Brett A. and Karen S. Reasner
Dennis F. Ringling
SEKISUI Polymer Innovations LLC
Paul and Melissa Starkey
Toter, LLC
E. Eugene Yaw and Ann S. Pepperman

* Denotes a new level of giving society