Members of the DuBois Educational Foundation (DEF) recently elected new leaders, heard an update on their annual appeal and approved a list of faculty awards as part of their "Educational Excellence" grants program.
Ross Donahue was recognized for his service as president of the DEF. Donahue's term was highlighted by the construction and grand opening of the Workforce Development and Technology Building. In his parting comments, Donahue said many people deserved credit for the success of that project.
"It was especially pleasing to have so many people unselfishly come together to collaborate toward its success," said Donahue. "Dedicated people worked hard for the outcome. Nothing came easily, but nobody gave up."
Despite the visible success of the building project, the outgoing president of the campus advisory board said it was his experience with students that was most inspiring. "Everyone who attends a campus graduation views it as a positive emotional experience, especially after hearing personally about the sacrifices by students, family members and friends in pursuit of a higher education," said Donahue. "Forty years ago I felt I received a great start as a Penn State student here in DuBois. Both of my sons recently attended the campus and I know that their educational experiences have given them a great start toward their professional careers."
Donahue hands over the gavel to his DEF vice president, John Garner, senior vice president for corporate banking for National City Bank. The new advisory board leader has a degree in finance from Gannon University with postgraduate work at the University of Oklahoma. He joined Elk County Bank and Trust Co., one of National City Bank's predecessors, in 1968 as a management trainee and has held various positions with them over the past 37 years.
In his opening remarks, Garner set the agenda for the new year.
"One of my goals will be to help build stronger ties among the campus, the DEF and the powdered metals industry in this region," said Garner. "This new building can be a great facility to help bring those players closer together. And the more we work together, the greater the benefits that are possible for the economy of the region."
Garner said activities that will help to support the campus career placement efforts should be another focus. "We have such great resources here on the advisory board. We should be better mentors to campus students to help get them off to a good start on their careers."
Garner also said streamlined financial reporting was a goal for the new year.
Ed Nasuti of Lee Simpson Associates, assumes the position of vice president for the DEF. Robert Johnson of Johnson Motors was elected to serve as secretary to the board and James Baker of CNB Bank was chosen as the treasurer. Two new board members also were elected. Jay Chamberlin of Community First Bank in Reynoldsville and Randy LaCrosse of Femco Machine Co. Inc. in Punxsutawney join the board of directors of the DEF.
Members of the board learned that their annual appeal is under way. Janine Fennell, Development Committee chair, reported that nearly 240 letters will be in the mail this month as part of the DEF's effort to raise support for undergraduate scholarship, academic excellence grants for faculty and staff, the annual "Educator of the Year" award, and occasional special projects. As an example of the latter, the board currently is providing seed money to help support the new campus men's basketball program.
In other action, the board approved a list of nine grants to members of the campus faculty, all part of the DEF's educational excellence program. The funds help faculty in a variety of disciplines to participate in professional development activities. Most of the faculty will be using the grants to support travel to present papers at national and international conferences. Destinations for the events range from State College and Philadelphia to Key West, Fla.; Chicago; Corvallis, Ore.; Vancouver, Canada; Barcelona, Spain; and Neubrandenberg, Germany.
Campus executive officer Anita McDonald, in her report to the board, cited the grand opening of the new building and the December commencement as the highlights of the last few months. She reported that enrollment increased slightly from fall to spring semesters; that campus budgets are on target for the current fiscal year; and that a committee of campus faculty and staff has begun setting priorities for the proposed renovation of the 40-year-old Swift Building.
The DEF is an independently incorporated 501-C3 charitable foundation that serves as the advisory board to Penn State DuBois, providing local leadership and financial support for students and faculty.