As part of the college’s 60th anniversary, Penn State Berks held a gala celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Reading, Pennsylvania. The event raised over $60,000 to establish the Penn State Berks 60th Anniversary Scholarship–an endowed, need-based scholarship which will benefit local students coming to Penn State Berks from high schools in the college’s service area. In addition, as part of the current University-wide fundraising campaign, A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence, Penn State will provide a 1:1 match for all gifts toward this effort, in effect doubling all contributions toward the scholarship for a total of more than $120K.
“We are deeply appreciative to our sponsors and all who attended the gala celebration of our 60th anniversary,” stated R. Keith Hillkirk, Penn State Berks chancellor. “The 60th Anniversary Scholarship that their support created will enable local students to pursue and earn a Penn State degree for generations to come.”
Dave Delozier, director of development and alumni relations at Penn State Berks, added, “Special thanks to our event sponsor Enersys, to our reception sponsor East Penn Manufacturing, and to our table sponsors -- Penn State Health, Penn State Health St. Joseph, members of the Penn State Berks Advisory Board, and Dena and Vic Hammel, co-chairs of A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence campaign at Penn State Berks.”
In-kind sponsors included the following: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, Knights Rental, Lehigh Print and Data, Multimedia Staging, and Ryan Matz Photography, LLC.
The more than 200 gala attendees had an opportunity to hear from Penn State University President Eric J. Barron, Provost Nick Jones, and Madlyn Hanes, Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor, as well as Chancellor Hillkirk. In addition, Dr. David McConnell, Instructor in Music at Penn State Berks, performed a special musical composition that he wrote for the college’s 60th anniversary.
The 60th anniversary gala was co-chaired by Lisa Baldi, director of strategic communications, and Jonathan Kukta, director of housing, food and ancillary services. The gala committee included Heather Angstadt, Brooke Burkey, Jacqueline Cozma, Melissa Edwards, Laura Harak, Lisa Mikula, Wendy Moore, Kathryn Quinn, Kim Schreffler and Marie Smith
For more information or to make a contribution to the Penn State Berks 60th Anniversary Scholarship, contact the Office of Development at 610-396-6056.
