A 1973 graduate of Williamsport Area Community College, whose business success became a selfless springboard to helping others achieve their goals, was among the honorees at Thursday's 11th annual Education Celebration held at The Genetti Hotel by the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and its partners.
Carol A. Savoy, now president of John Savoy & Sons, was juggling single parenthood and a 40-hour-a-week job when she enrolled in Penn College's predecessor institution. Two years later, she earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in social work.
In 1975, she married John Savoy, a local manufacturer of commercial furniture,whose company had been in business since 1946.Today, it employs about 125 people and is planningan expansion of its 225,000-square-foot facility in Montoursville.
Carol Savoy became involved with the day-to-day operations of the business and has been contributing to the community ever since.
She and John established two scholarships to benefit local high school students: the John A. Savoy Scholarship Fund, which gives preference to South Williamsport Area School District students who have excelled in community involvement and are continuing toward a four-year degree, and the John A. Savoy Scholarship for Electronic Applications that benefits automated manufacturing technology or manufacturing engineering technology students at Penn College who demonstrate scholastic achievement, dedication and leadership.
Carol and her family have continued both funds after the January 2010 death of John, with whom she worked side-by-side; she stepped in as president of John Savoy & Sons, and is the owner of J Savoy Realty Co. and John Savoy Realty, LLC.
She has volunteered countless hours as treasurer of the Parent Board at Bishop Neumann High School (now St. John Neumann Regional Academy) and as a member of the St Boniface Elementary Parent Board, has served as an Odyssey of the Mind coach and has been a member of the Lycoming Foundation Board of Directors.
In 2005, the Savoys received the Directors Chair award for their strong and enduring commitment to the mission of the Community Arts Center.
Savoy shared Alumni of the Year honors with Charles D. Springman, a 1959 graduate of Lycoming College. The chamber also honored one educator and one student from each of nine local schools, and presented its Business Partner in Education Award to UGI Penn Natural Gas.
Penn College was represented by William J. Martin, senior vice president; Paul L. Starkey, vice president for academic affairs/provost; Barry R. Stiger, vice president for institutional advancement; Jeannette F. Carter, director of Outreach for K-12; and Becky J. Shaner, alumni relations assistant.