Pennsylvania Sen. Richard A. Kasunic was honored as the recipient of the 25th Outstanding Fellow Award by Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus on May 13 at the Pleasant Valley Country Club in Connellsville, Pa. The award was presented by Penn State Fayette Interim Chancellor Francis K. Achampong at a special meeting and ceremony of the Advisory Board of Penn State Fayette.
The “Outstanding Fellow of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus” was established in 1985 by two local businessmen. Their intent was to honor a community leader whose support of the campus had been so exemplary as to warrant special recognition by the advisory board and the campus’ administration, faculty, staff and students. Penn State Fayette does not grant honorary degrees, so the Outstanding Fellow Award is the highest honor the campus can bestow. The recipients of this award possess the qualities that truly epitomize the phrase, “Penn State proud.”
“For many years, Richard Kasunic has shown his support for Penn State Fayette as a member of the Advisory Board of the campus. But his advocacy also is illustrated by his assistance in securing grants to help fund several projects that enhance the learning experience for our students. Two recent projects are the business trading floor that opened in the Eberly Building in spring 2009 and the Allied Health Lab in the Biomedical Building,” Achampong said. “Higher education is a tried and true route to success, and Senator Kasunic’s efforts are helping to ensure that individuals from Fayette County and beyond have an opportunity to receive the highest-quality education at Penn State Fayette.”
A native of Dunbar, Kasunic is a 1964 graduate of Dunbar Township High School. He earned an associate degree in business administration from Robert Morris Junior College, Pittsburgh, in 1967, and a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Youngstown State University in 1970. He served with the Pennsylvania National Guard from 1970 to 1976.
Kasunic was elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in November 1994, following a public service career that began in 1982 when he was elected to represent the 52nd Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. In January 1995, he began a four-year term representing the 32nd Senatorial District and is now serving his fourth term.
Within the community, Kasunic serves as honorary chair for Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers, and on the Fayette County Community Action Agency Board of Directors, Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, Fayette County Local Emergency Planning Committee, Continental 1 (formerly Route 219 Association), American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Board of Trustees (Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia Chapter).
Kasunic was recently honored at Penn State Fayette’s annual Blues and White Gala as a “Friend of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus."