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In survey data collected last year, approximately 40% of WCU students reported experiencing some type of basic-need insecurity, including not having enough food to eat. During this season of thanks and giving, Essential Utilities is stepping up in a big way to assist WCU students who depend upon the services provided by the University’s Resource Pantry. Chairman, President, and CEO of Essential Utilities Christopher Franklin ’87 visited the on-campus Resource Pantry on November 18 to present WCU President Chris Fiorentino with a generous gift of $75,000 from Essential Utilities to help expand the Resource Pantry’s reception and intake area. Understanding the importance of confidentiality, the generous gift will also fund the purchase of tablets that will enable student customers to initiate self-checkout of food and personal-care items in private.

Since the Resource Pantry opened its doors in 2016, demand has increased ten-fold. During the previous in-person academic year (2018-19), the Pantry served more than 800 students and recorded 5,100 total visits. During that time, it also distributed nearly 20,000 pounds of food; 16,000 personal care products; 2,600 school supplies; and more than 650 articles of clothing.

“Essential Utilities is honored to support the West Chester University Resource Pantry to minimize food and basic-need insecurities,” said Mr. Franklin, who knows firsthand about WCU students’ needs as he currently serves as a member of the University’s Council of Trustees and is a WCU alumnus. “As a company committed to providing safe and reliable access to the earth’s most vital resources, Essential recognizes that basic needs are critical to everyday life. We hope this donation will enable the Resource Pantry to help those who find themselves needing some additional support now as well as those who may one day reach out to seek assistance in the future.”

The Resource Pantry is open to all WCU students and is central to upholding the University’s mission to ensure student success and provide access to a college education, regardless of financial circumstances. Offering a supply of non-perishable food, fresh produce from campus gardens, personal care items, school supplies, and winter and career clothing, the Resource Pantry helps eliminate barriers to degree completion and empowers students to learn independent living skills and achieve long-term stability.

“West Chester University is truly grateful to Essential Utilities for supporting our students in such an impactful way,” said President Fiorentino. “This company’s actions demonstrate what it means to truly meet students where they are currently in their lives. By providing the basic resources that our students need to live as well as to excel, Essential Utilities is investing in their overall success and helping this University make a bold statement that it will work to ensure access to hardworking students no matter what their financial situations may be.”

Essential Utilities is a Diamond Sponsor of WCU’s 150th Anniversary Celebration and a continued partner in helping WCU students advance inside the classroom as well as outside the classroom. Under its former company name of Aqua America, the utility company previously gifted $50,000 to the University’s College of Business and Public Management.

About Essential Utilities
Essential is one of the largest publicly traded water, wastewater and natural gas providers in the U.S., serving approximately 5 million people across 10 states under the Aqua and Peoples brands. Essential is committed to excellence in proactive infrastructure investment, regulatory expertise, operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. The company recognizes the importance water and natural gas play in everyday life and is proud to deliver safe, reliable services that contribute to the quality of life in the communities it serves. For more information, visit http://www.essential.co.

Sponsors of West Chester University’s 150th Anniversary
Celebrations throughout West Chester University’s 150th Anniversary year are made possible by the generosity of community partners. Presenting Sponsor: Aramark. Platinum Sponsors: Student Services, Inc. and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. Diamond Sponsors: Essential Utilities and WCU Alumni Association. Gold Sponsor: BB&T (Now Truist). Bronze Sponsors: IMS Technology Services and Meridian Bank. Purple Sponsors: Barnaby’s West Chester; Clark Associates, Inc.; First Bank; MacElree Harvey; Northwestern Mutual; PSECU; Radius Systems; SEI Investments Company; TD Bank; Univest Financial; and Visual Sound.

In the words of President Christopher Fiorentino, 150Forward Campaign:  The Campaign for West Chester University is not about bricks and mortar – it is about our students, and the resources they need to help them reach their full potential. On Thursday, October 28^th, the annual President’s Circle Ceremony brought us together to celebrate a few of those individuals, and a community partner, who are helping make this vision possible. This year’s President’s Award recipients are:

Stephanie and Edward N. Collison, Jr. ’93

As President of Hobbs & Company, Inc. based in Boothwyn, Ed Collison, Jr. ’93 has worked on many large contracts, but he counts the completion of three residence halls on WCU’s campus, and projects in Sykes and Anderson Halls, as his proudest. Hobbs & Company, Inc. has also been essential in the relocation of the campus cell tower in preparation for the Sciences & Engineering Center and The Commons; he is a current WCU Foundation Trustee. Stephanie Collison is Principal Product Management Business Analyst on the Customs Development team with Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG), a leading provider of human capital management solutions in the cloud. Ed and Stephanie are past President’s Community Scholarship Gala co-chairs and created the Collison Family Scholarship last year.

Ann and Carl R. Gersbach ’70

For Ann and Carl R. Gersbach ’70, West Chester University is home. The WCU campus is where they first met and is the hometown they returned to after Carl’s seven years as a linebacker in the National Football League. As a Senior Vice President at CBRE, he provides real estate services and consulting to corporations and public sector clients throughout North America. Ann, a talented artist, has served St. Agnes School in West Chester for many years, as it was the school she attended as a young girl. Carl takes pride in giving back and supporting student-athletes through The W. Glenn Killinger Scholarship, the Football Assistance Fund, and the annual QB Classic Golf Tournament; he has served as a WCU Foundation Trustee and as past President of Killinger Foundation.

Barbara J. Lappano ’67, M’73

To say that Barbara J. Lappano ’67, M’73 is held in high esteem at West Chester University is quite an understatement. A physical education major and WCU cheerleader, she cheered for the Golden Rams football team at their first appearance in the Tangerine Bowl. As a member of the faculty from 1970-2004, she taught dance education, technique, and theory courses, coached WCU cheerleading, and also implemented a dance minor for the University in the Theatre Department. In the community, Barbara has choreographed musical theater productions for The Savoy Company, The Montgomery School, The Hill School, and Downingtown Area School District; she teaches ballet, jazz, and musical theater – and consults – through her own business, Dance by Design. In 2007, she established the Barbara J. Lappano Dance Scholarship. A former member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, she received the President’s Medallion for Service in 2019.

Dr. and Mrs. Charles S. Swope Memorial Scholarship Foundation

Since 1960, the Dr. and Mrs. Charles S. Swope Memorial Scholarship Foundation has operated as a private foundation dedicated to supporting high achieving WCU students. Named after Dr. Charles S. Swope, President of West Chester State Teachers College from 1935-1959. In 2021, the funds were gifted to West Chester University to create an endowed scholarship, The Swope Memorial Scholarship. Dr. Swope’s grandchildren – Dr. Dawn Swope Apgar and Charles E. Swope, Jr. (Chuck) have worked tirelessly to carry on the intention and tradition of their family’s foundation. Dawn is Assistant Professor and Director for the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice at Seton Hall University, and Chuck is Broker of Record and Chairman of Swope Lees Commercial Real Estate, LLC in West Chester.

The President’s Circle is comprised of dedicated alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and community partners who assist in advancing student success through their philanthropic leadership. Bound by their commitment to West Chester University, members drive student success now – and provide a strong foundation for the University’s future.

Visit https://www.wcufoundation.org/presidents-circle/ for more information.

Pictured (L-R): Dr. Susan Fiorentino; President Christopher Fiorentino; Edward N. Collison, Jr. ’93; Stephanie Collison; Barbara J. Lappano ’67, M’73; Dr. Dawn Swope Apgar; Charles Swope, Jr.; Ann Gersbach; and Carl R. Gersbach ’70.

Thanks to a generous gift of $120,000 from Student Services, Incorporated (SSI) and PSECU, West Chester University students who carry a small semester balance that prevents them from scheduling classes for the next semester will be awarded monetary micro awards to help them move closer toward degree completion. Bernie Carrozza, chair of the Board of Directors of SSI, and Amanda Altice, community manager at the PSECU Financial Education Center – West Chester, were among those presenting a $120,000 check to West Chester University President Christopher Fiorentino on campus on Tuesday, October 26, in the WCU Campus Store.

SSI and PSECU have been helping West Chester University students with unmet financial need since 2018. In previous years, the gift has also helped students with necessities such as meals and books. Coming together to offer the largest Micro Awards in the University’s history, SSI and PSECU seek to make a significant impact on the unmet need of West Chester University students. Micro Awards are managed by the University’s Office of Financial Aid.

“SSI stands ready to ensure that West Chester University students have what they need to cross the finish line and to achieve their academic goals,” said SSI Chair of the Board of Directors Bernie Carrozza. “We admire these students for their perseverance and determination, and we are deeply honored to be able to support their commitment to academic excellence.”

Donna Snyder, executive director of SSI, agreed and provided additional details about the gift. “At President Fiorentino’s request, the PSECU/SSI gift of $120,000 will be utilized to assist WCU students with the greatest need,” she said. “The pandemic has stretched resources and WCU has a growing population of students who are financially challenged. These students include unaccompanied homeless youth and many other students with unmet financial needs. The Financial Aid Office will manage these funds, coordinating with other funding sources to maximize meeting the needs of as many students as possible. Student Services, Inc. is proud to support the effort to position every student for success.”

PSECU is equally supportive. “PSECU has a long history of being a dedicated member of the communities we serve,” said PSECU Senior Director of Membership Development Dave Dentler. “We are continually looking for ways to help promising students earn their college degrees. We hope this will inspire others to do the same.”

Upon receiving the check, West Chester University President Chris Fiorentino said to those in attendance, “West Chester University is intentional in its efforts to do whatever it can to remove barriers that may impede a student’s ability to be successful. We are grateful to be able to align with partners who feel the same. SSI and PSECU meet the needs of our students in very real ways and we continue to be truly grateful for their generosity of resources.”

Pictured (L to R) attending the $12,000 check presentation from Student Services, Incorporated and PSECU are Deputy Director of Financial Aid Tori Nuccio; Vice President for Student Affairs Zebulun Davenport; Executive Director of Student Services, Incorporated Donna Snyder; West Chester University President Chris Fiorentino; Student Services, Incorporated Chair of the Board of Directors Bernie Carrozza; Community Manager at the PSECU Financial Education Center – West Chester Amanda Altice; and West Chester University Foundation Chief Executive Officer Chris Mominey.

About Student Services, Incorporated

Student Services, Incorporated (SSI) is a not-for-profit organization designed to serve the students of West Chester University. The objective of the corporation is to initiate, regulate, and operate the financial matters of the University’s co-curricular student activities.

About PSECU

Opened in 1934, PSECU was founded by 22 ordinary people who pooled $90 and made an extraordinary commitment to each other: To create a financial institution where collective resources benefit all members. Today, PSECU continues that legacy as a leading full-service credit union managing more than $5.5 billion in assets and offering its over 450,000 members convenient anytime, anywhere digital banking options. For more information about PSECU, visit psecu.com.

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) presented a $50,000 gift to West Chester University (WCU) for the Michael Horrocks Football Scholarship Endowment Fund. Vice President of Finance-Treasurer of ALPA Joseph Genovese presented the check to West Chester University President Christopher Fiorentino on Saturday, October 16, during halftime of the noon WCU vs. East Stroudsburg University football game.

On September 11, 2001, Michael Horrocks ’85, a former WCU football quarterback, was the copilot of the United Airlines Flight 175 that crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. The Michael Horrocks Football Scholarship was established in 2012 in Horrocks’s memory and a bronze statue of him stands in WCU’s Farrell Stadium. The scholarship is awarded annually to a standout West Chester University Golden Rams football player by Head Coach Bill Zwaan and WCU Director of Athletics Terence Beattie. Since its inception, the renewable scholarship has awarded $21,225 to four student-athletes. This year’s scholarship recipient is Gabrial A. Schappell, a senior wide receiver from Reading, PA.

Joseph Genovese says, “The Air Line Pilots Association, International is proud to provide this support to the Michael Horrocks Football Scholarship Endowment Fund. As we commemorate 20 years since 9/11, it is important that we continue to honor our fallen heroes, who were also our beloved colleagues and friends, by ensuring that their contributions to our profession are never forgotten.”

Horrocks was a quarterback for the WCU’s Golden Rams football team from 1981 to 1984. After graduation, he served as an officer in the U.S. Marines as a pilot and later as a flight instructor. After retiring from the military, Horrocks became a pilot for United Airlines. Attendees for the check presentation on October 16 included Dr. Christopher Fiorentino, President of West Chester University; Joseph Genovese, VP Finance-Treasurer, ALPA; Christopher Mominey, WCU Foundation CEO; Terence Beattie, WCU Director of Athletics; Miriam Horrocks-Isenberg ’87; Paul Isenberg ’87; and other members of the Horrocks Family.

Those wishing to contribute to the Michael Horrocks Football Scholarship Endowment Fund can visit https://go.wcufoundation.org/donate with fund name Michael Horrocks Scholarship Endowment or fund number 4500-861.

The Air Line Pilots Association, International promotes and champions all aspects of aviation safety throughout all segments of the aviation community. Since 1931, their commitment to safety and the advancement of the profession has made them the guardians and defender of rights and privileges of the professional pilots who are members of the Association.

West Chester University (WCU) students experiencing food insecurities, including those who are student-athletes, will benefit greatly from a generous gift of $162,000 from Aramark that was presented formally to WCU President Chris Fiorentino on Wednesday, September 22, under the iconic arches of Philips Memorial Building, 700 South High Street, West Chester. In addition to its $112,000 philanthropic support of WCU students, Aramark, which is currently the Presenting Sponsor of the University’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, presented the check to also support five WCU 14 meal-per-week plans ($14,000), food donations for Sports Nutrition Fueling Stations ($16,000), and funding to support a graduate assistant position to manage Sports Nutrition Fueling Stations ($20,000). The presentation of the $162,000 check was the largest single gift made to WCU by Aramark, a leader in the customer service business across food, facilities and uniforms.

Those participating in Wednesday’s check presentation included:

• Dr. Christopher Fiorentino, President of West Chester University
• James Hess, Resident District Manager, Higher Education, Aramark
• Alicia Kent, Regional Vice President, Aramark
• Christopher Mominey, WCU Foundation CEO
• Dr. Zebulun R. Davenport, Vice President for Student Affairs
• Dr. Scott Heinerichs, Dean, College of Health Sciences
• Terence Beattie, Director of Athletics
• Dr. Christine Karpinski, Professor and Chair of the Department of Nutrition
• Helen Hammerschmidt, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations
• Matthew Dade ’23, WCU Student Athlete, Men’s Basketball
• Olivia Rudjord, Graduate Student & Student-Athlete, Women’s Volleyball
• Sarah Holweg ’22, WCU Student-Athlete, Women’s Basketball
• Kyle McGee ’23, WCU Student-Athlete, Men’s Basketball

The much-needed gift comes at a critical time in WCU students’ lives. In survey data collected last year, approximately 40% of WCU students reported experiencing some type of basic needs insecurity, including not having enough food to eat.

“For more than 30 years, Aramark has partnered with WCU to provide nutritional and educational opportunities for Golden Rams,” said WCU President Chris Fiorentino. “On the occasion of West Chester University’s 150^th Anniversary, our students are able to benefit from the continued generosity of a company that recognizes the dangers of food insecurity and the importance of access to healthy food choices. As a Presenting Sponsor of the University’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, Aramark’s assistance provides the priceless essentials that our students need to nourish their minds while fueling their lives. We are deeply grateful to this important partner.”

West Chester University is committed to student success at every level of the college experience, including athletics. For student-athletes, nutrition is one of the key components for achieving optimal health and athletic performance. The Sports Nutrition Education and Fueling Program helps more than 100 student-athletes each semester. Under the supervision of Professor and Chair of the Department of Nutrition Christine Karpinski, an exercise physiologist and registered dietician, a combination of undergraduate students, graduate students, and dietetic interns provide nutrition education to student-athletes, including one-on-one consultations, individualized meal plans, team talks, and Q&A sessions; they also conduct research in these areas.

Fueling stations are key components of the program. While nutrition education helps guide student-athletes to make healthier food choices, healthy snacks at practice and “Go Bags” for away games or for athletes running from practice to class, provide nutrition at key points throughout the day. A typical fueling station may include fruit, vegetables, trail mix, granola bars, whole-grain snack chips, pretzels, popcorn, cheese sticks, yogurt, and chocolate milk. It would cost approximately $75,000 to provide a centralized fueling station to all WCU athletes who are in-season.

“Aramark is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of WCU’s Sesquicentennial Celebration,” said James Hess, Resident District Manager, Higher Education, Aramark. “Through this sponsorship and our philanthropic support of the University and Student Affairs, we are able to create opportunities for students and the local community.  As we foster accessibility to food and build community relationships, we look forward to a bright future.”

Sponsors of West Chester University’s 150^th Anniversary
Celebrations throughout West Chester University’s 150th Anniversary year are made possible by the generosity of community partners. Presenting Sponsor: Aramark. Platinum Sponsors: Student Services, Inc. and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. Diamond Sponsors: Essential Utilities and WCU Alumni Association. Gold Sponsor: BB&T (Now Truist). Bronze Sponsors: IMS Technology Services and Meridian Bank. Purple Sponsors: Barnaby’s West Chester; Clark Associates, Inc.; First Bank; MacElree Harvey; Northwestern Mutual; PSECU; Radius Systems; SEI Investments Company; TD Bank; Univest Financial; and Visual Sound.

About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world with food, facilities, and uniform services. Because our culture is rooted in service, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. Aramark has been named to DiversityInc’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” list, the Forbes list of “America’s Best Employers for Diversity,” the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” and scored 100% on the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The metamorphosis was five years in the making and began with an epiphany that Roger Ware had on what he called a rainy and sleepless night in Georgia. “When I awoke the next morning, I informed my wife, Agnes, about my idea for a fountain project for the University,” shared Ware with more than 75 students, faculty, staff, family, and friends who gathered at the new Plaza. “Her response was, ‘If that is what you want, make it happen.’ Today is the day that I have literally been dreaming about.”

Ware said that he discussed his brainchild with President Fiorentino and the two made plans to include the new entrance in the University’s landscape improvement plans.

“We also discussed that studies show that when prospective students visit a campus for the first time, they usually know within the first ten minutes if that campus feels like home,” said Ware. “Agnes and I hope that this Plaza and fountain is enjoyed by students, faculty, and staff for years to come. We wanted a space to be the first spot a new prospective student would see when visiting, a place to take family photos, graduation pictures, a place to relax, and enjoy this beautiful campus and city.”

As the University celebrates its 150^th Anniversary, The Roger and Agnes Ware Plaza is the icing on the birthday cake. “Thanks to Roger and Agnes, this incredible new gateway welcomes the arrival of all to campus and to the borough of West Chester,” said Fiorentino in his remarks. “We at this University are grateful for your generous support throughout the years, and for conceptualizing this magnificent space and being its visionary. As West Chester University celebrates its sesquicentennial, this Plaza truly reflects our new beginning.”

Also acknowledged during the ceremony for their work on the project were the University’s Vice President of Finance and Administration Todd E. Murphy, Associate Vice President for Facilities Gary Bixby, and members of the Department of Facilities Management.

Following a formal countdown led by Fiorentino and the audience, the fountain was formally turned on and cars passing by acknowledged the towering spurts of water by tooting their horns.

The fountain, which will be operational for the public’s enjoyment except when winds are too high or temperatures fall below 40 degrees F, is composed of two large concentric spray rings, 22’ (ring 1) and 15’ (ring 2) in diameter with arching multi-stream jets. Four vertical multi-stream jets are fed from a smaller ring (ring 3) at the center of the feature with underwater light fixtures inboard of the two spray rings and at the central vertical jets. Each ring has 20 jets (40 ring jets and 4 central jets, total). All jets are installed flush with the pavement. There are four central jets, or column jets, arrayed at 90° on a diameter of 16” at the center of the fountain. These jets are also mounted flush with the plaza.

Roger Ware, Jr. graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in 1982.  Roger has served as president and chief executive officer of Jencap Insurance Services Inc. (formerly Genesee General) since 1998.

While the nature of COVID-19 has changed the tools our students need to reach their goals, it has not changed their passion to become WCU graduates – and so, even through a pandemic, student success remains at the heart of our philanthropic mission.

Through the generosity of alumni, University friends and family, and community partners, the West Chester University Foundation secured almost $14 million in outright and future commitments in the 2020-21 fiscal year (July 1 – June 30th), with $7.5 million in outright gifts.

How did we accomplish this?

Our donors. This past year, donors continued their commitment to students through investing in scholarships and technology, as well as creating opportunities for every student who calls West Chester University home. Our donors funded hundreds of scholarships, awards, fellowships, and programs that support academic and co-curricular activities.

Leadership gifts continue to support the development of The Sciences & Engineering Center and The Commons, a 175,000 square-foot facility that will serve as a dedicated learning environment for the next generation of engineers, nurses, nutritionists, physicists, public health professionals, and scientists.

As we prepare to welcome students back to campus in the fall and make plans to celebrate the University’s 150th anniversary, we reflect on the inspirational and unwavering support of the benefactors of West Chester University; of their gifts, big and small; and of the bright future ahead.

On June 9, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education announced its 2021 Circle of Excellence Awards winners. West Chester University Foundation is the proud recipient of a Silver Award in the Special Events | Online (Fundraising) Category.

Seeking a silver lining in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, West Chester University Foundation developed a strategy to transform the annual President’s Circle Dinner into a unique event that would recreate moments of in-person camaraderie, networking, and recognition for loyal and annual donors in a virtual world.

A series of three virtual engagement opportunities, coined President’s Circle Socials, culminated in a President’s Circle Celebration and allowed donors from across the country to attend all events, or just one. The Socials featured a video message from the University President; two “mingle” rooms; a Foundation update; and a featured University speaker – there were even surprise visits from Rammy, the University’s mascot.

The President’s Circle Celebration featured student musicians, a Presidential State-of-the-University, a preview of the upcoming sesquicentennial anniversary celebration, recognition of new donor society members, and impact videos. The Celebration capitalized on the opportunity to reinforce the impact of our President’s Circle donor societies, while also continuing to celebrate and welcome new donors.

These peer-selected and adjudicated awards honor institutions worldwide whose talented staff have advanced their organizations through their resourcefulness and ingenuity.

Winners are selected based on several factors, including overall quality, innovation, use of resources and the impact on the institution or its external and internal communities, such as alumni, parents, students, and faculty and staff.

“This year’s CASE Circle of Excellence Awards highlight the creative, nimble, and innovative approaches our members bring to championing the success of their institutions,” says CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham.

“Advancing education has never been more important, and the Circle of Excellence Awards celebrate the innovative work that has contributed to that vital societal outcome. This year, CASE member schools, colleges, and universities across the CASE global membership were faced with challenges that have never been seen before, and advancement professionals demonstrated their skills and sensitivity as they created inspiring and important work to engage their communities in entirely new ways.”

In 2021, CASE received almost 3,000 entries from 27 countries. Those entries came from 530 institutions for consideration across 100 categories.

About CASE:

CASE believes in advancing education to transform lives and society. As a global non-profit membership association of educational institutions, CASE helps develop the communities of professional practice that build institutional resilience and success in challenging times. The communities include staff engaged in alumni relations, advancement services, communications, fundraising, government relations, marketing, and student recruitment. CASE is volunteer-led and uses the intellectual capital of senior practitioners to build capacity and capability across the world.

CASE has offices in Washington, D.C., London, Singapore and Mexico City. Member institutions include more than 3,600 colleges and universities, primary and secondary independent and international schools, and non-profit organizations in 82 countries. CASE serves more than 90,000 practitioners. For more information about CASE, please visit https://www.case.org/.