His reason for giving? Gratitude.
The University led him to his wife — and his future. Now he and his children are celebrating by giving back.
Though Bernard “Bernie” Egerter ’51 lives in Santa Rosa, Ca., his story remains indelibly linked to West Chester University.
It’s where he first met his wife, Marianne, during their first year at West Chester State Teachers College. It’s where he played on the 1950 national champion soccer team, securing his spot in the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
And it’s where he earned a degree that helped him join the Marine Corps with a commission, leading to a job in sales, leading to an accomplished career at one of the country’s largest commercial carpet manufacturers.
“Having grown up in a Philadelphia row home, WCU opened the world and all its possibilities to me,” Bernie says.
Even after raising four children, Bernie’s wife Marianne returned to WCU to earn her M.Ed. in 1979. After she passed away in 2015, Bernie and his children established a memorial scholarship to celebrate Marianne’s love of teaching — by uplifting future teachers.
“I’ll always have fond memories of WCU,” Bernie says. “People in the Philadelphia area are very lucky to have a university like that close by. So we’re doing our part to further others in their pursuit of a career in education.”
This scholarship – and Bernie’s membership in the George Morris Philips Society – represents a commitment to WCU students for generations to come.
Bernard "Bernie" Egerter '51
George Morris Philips Society Member
"WCU opened the world and all its possibilities to me."