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We are honored to announce that West Chester University/Foundation is the recipient of a 2022 CASE Circle of Excellence Bronze Award in Special Events | Online Fundraisers for our 2021: G.A.L.A. (Give. Advance. Lead. Achieve.). CASE received more than 4,500 entries from 636 institutions in nearly 30 countries. Recipients showcase how advancement empowers teaching and learning, ignites institutional progress, and helps communities thrive.

“Our CASE Circle of Excellence Awards celebrate the creative, resourceful, and innovative ways advancement professionals around the globe champion their institutions’ success,” says CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham. “Advancement has never been more important to support and strengthen education. These 2022 Circle of Excellence recipients—from institutions and teams of all sizes and shapes, from regions across the world—showcase how advancement empowers teaching and learning, ignites institutional progress, and helps communities thrive. I hope you take the opportunity to explore these award winners and become inspired.”

CASE’s Circle of Excellence Awards are the premier recognition program for educational advancement. These peer-selected and adjudicated awards honor colleges, universities, and schools worldwide whose talented staff have advanced their organizations with resourcefulness and ingenuity.

About CASE:
CASE—the Council for Advancement and Support of Education—is a global, not-for-profit membership association with a vision to advance education to transform lives and society.

We are the home for advancement professionals, inspiring, challenging, and equipping them to act effectively and with integrity to champion the success of their institutions. CASE defines the competencies and standards for the profession of advancement, leading, and championing their dissemination and application with more than 97,000 advancement professionals at 3,100 member institutions in 80 countries.

Broad and growing communities of professionals gather under the global CASE umbrella. Currently these include alumni relations, development services, communications, fundraising, government relations, and marketing. These professionals are at all stages of their career and may be working in universities, schools, colleges, cultural institutions, or other not-for-profits. CASE uses the intellectual capital and professional talents of an army of volunteers to advance its work, and our membership includes many corporate partners in the education sector.

Headquartered in Washington D.C., CASE works across all continents from its regional offices in London, Singapore, and Mexico City to achieve a seamless experience for all our stakeholders, particularly our members, volunteers, and staff.

On Saturday, April 23rd, President Fiorentino and Sue Fiorentino hosted over 80 guests — alumni scholars, new scholarship recipients, parents, faculty, and supporters — in recognition of the Swope family’s generosity, and to hear firsthand the great impact the scholarship has had on students during their time at WCU and beyond.

The Swope family and the ever-growing group of Swope Scholars hope to meet annually to reconnect — and to build upon the Swope family’s long legacy of giving back.

Special Collections Librarian Ron McColl presented the Shakespeare First Folio, which came to the United States in 1895. It was eventually acquired by William Pyle Philips, son of George Morris Philips, the first principal of West Chester Normal School. While a student there, Philips honed his interest in English literature under the inspiring instruction of Dr. Francis Harvey Green, the library’s namesake. His father is remembered as an esteemed educator who demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the success and legacy of WCU.

More than 400 alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and benefactors have expressed their commitment to West Chester University by including the Foundation in their estate plans — their partnership will support future generations of Golden Rams for years to come.

Each year, West Chester University’s Annual Presidential Scholarship Community Gala attracts numerous friends from throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to an annual benefit organized to fund Presidential Scholarships for West Chester University students who have earned academic distinction. Funded entirely by private donations and since its inception in 1983, the Annual Presidential Scholarship Community Gala has raised more than $2 million dollars for West Chester University students through a renewable, four-year Presidential Scholarship.

This year’s critical-need benefit did not disappoint. Following an unprecedented two years, the 39^th gala made its in-person return on Saturday, April 2, at Longwood Gardens. The All Presidents’ Gala, which was inspired by the University’s sesquicentennial and the tireless work of past presidents to move the University forward, was a resounding success as it raised more than $150,000.

More than 340 guests honored the University’s longstanding legacy of student success and teaching excellence by attending the premier event that was made possible thanks to Presenting Sponsor Aramark and numerous corporate sponsors. West Chester University President Christopher Fiorentino and Susan Fiorentino shared co-hosting roles with Gala co-chairs Patricia and James P. Shinehouse. A 1980 alumnus, James P. Shinehouse is a founding partner at Atlantic Financial Advisory Partners, and Patricia Shinehouse worked as a medical editor for a nursing publication company and has been a Stephen Minister.

Among those leaders honored at the Gala were former University president Greg Weisenstein and former acting president Linda Lamwers, who also delivered remarks on behalf of former president Madeleine Wing Adler.

In written remarks, former president Adler stated, “Dr. Fiorentino and these leaders need your support: your volunteering, your advocacy, and, yes, your financial contributions…This is why in December we committed an additional $25,000 to student scholarships in the fund named for my late son, J. Peter Adler. Whether you support students, or faculty and staff development, or unique University programs, it preserves the legacy of this University, the jewel in the crown of public higher education in Pennsylvania. Expect excellence and support excellence.”

Jacquelyn North, a 1981 alumna and co-chair of 150Forward: The Campaign for West Chester University, spoke about the power of student scholarships during a time of need. “To me, scholarships make the impossible possible. To students, a scholarship can determine whether they walk across the stage at graduation or not. In addition to supporting the President’s Scholarship, I am elated to pay it forward through the creation of my own scholarship, the North Family First-Generation College of Business Scholarship.”

“We are all here as leaders whose efforts will broaden access to scholarships, assist WCU with technological innovation and propel tomorrow’s leaders by creating opportunities on campus, in our workforce and in our communities,” said James Shinehouse during his remarks to those in attendance. “Pat and I are happy to announce our newest commitment to equip these leaders with the skills they need to reach their full potential, a $100,000 endowment for international travels/study abroad. These monies will give our students the opportunity to experience the world and bring back to campus a new perspective.”

The evening was all about West Chester University students. Attendees were impressed by the University’s participating ROTC students and Opera Theatre performers as well as members of the Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band, and the Golden Rams Society.

“For 39 years, we have raised more than $2 million for student scholarships,” said President Fiorentino, who remarked that he has been with the University for the same amount of time. “As a University practice, it remains important to intentionally uncover and then remove barriers that impede student success. Scholarship assistance, housing, food, basic goods, and services— our students continue to need support.

We are grateful for your efforts, because they make a significant difference in the lives of well-deserving and academically talented students. We must continue this kind of ambition on their behalf.”

This year’s incoming class of academic scholars includes Noelle Clavner, Jordan Coleman, Enrique Del Leon-Raya, Laina Harding, Kya London, Kayla Ruff, and Katelyn Skarupa.

Gala Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor: Aramark. Diamond Sponsor: Truist. Entertainment Sponsor: Hobbs & Company, Inc. Gold Sponsors: H.B. Frazer Company; Lamb McErlane PC; Meridian Bank; Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP; S&T Bank; Patricia & James P. Shinehouse ’80; Sodexo; WCU Alumni Association; and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. Silver Sponsors: Citadel; Dilworth Paxson LLP; The Elite Group; First Bank; Jobsite Products, Inc.; NJM Insurance Group; Red River; Sunset Hill Jewelers & Fine Arts; and TD Bank. Bronze Sponsors: Baker Tilly; CALECO Laundry; Fox Rothschild LLP; KCI/MBP Joint Venture; Martin’s Financial Consulting Group – Ameriprise; Philadelphia Phillies; The Protection Bureau; Radius Systems; Rainer & Company; and SEI Investments Company.

Thank you for joining in with hundreds of alumni, faculty and staff members, students, families, and friends to show your Ram Pride.

As the largest cash donation ever made to West Chester University, a $3.5 million gift from Student Services, Incorporated (SSI) will be presented during a Gift Agreement Signing and Check Presentation Celebration on Tuesday, March 22, at 3 p.m. in the University’s Philips Autograph Library, 700 South High Street, West Chester. SSI Chair of the Board of Directors Bernie Carrozza and SSI Executive Director Donna Snyder will publicly sign the gift agreement and present the transformational check to West Chester University President Chris Fiorentino. The presentation of the historic gift coincides with the University’s 150^th anniversary this year; a celebratory toast will follow.

The SSI Board of Directors approved a special resolution to support donating to the largest comprehensive campaign ever launched to fund WCU students’ immediate needs — 150Forward: The Campaign for West Chester University. The gift, which will provide a perpetual source of annual funding through earned interest, will establish the Student Services Incorporated Presidential Endowment. The endowment will enable the University to provide the additional support needed to fuel student-related priorities, student scholarship/financial aid, academic and co-curricular programs, and technology initiatives.

“SSI has a long history of being a passionate supporter of West Chester University students,” says SSI Chair of the Board of Directors Bernie Carrozza. “We are happy to be able to help provide the type of resources and support that will enable bright minds and dreams to flourish. This endowment is quite intentional. It offers the flexibility to seize opportunities or to make strategic investments in initiatives and priorities focused on achieving the University’s mission of student success.”

The historic gift enables the student-focused campaign to move beyond the $50 million mark. Thanks to the unwavering support of donors who welcome the opportunity to help students navigate academic journeys, the campaign has reached 77% of its goal to raise $65 million by June 30, 2024.

“We are overwhelmed with the generosity of this gift,” says West Chester University President Chris Fiorentino. “SSI continues to demonstrate to our students that the organization believes in their abilities and continues to welcome making lasting investments in their educational goals. We are grateful to be able to align with a partner who has provided an intentional investment in the future of this University and in generations of students to come. I can think of no better way to honor West Chester University’s 150 Anniversary and to prepare for the next 150 forward.”

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.

As the spring semester begins, West Chester University has secured $46 million in its goal to raise $65 million by June 30, 2024 as part of 150Forward: The Campaign for West Chester University. As the largest comprehensive campaign in the University’s history, the efforts are designed to help an even greater number of WCU students secure specific needs: more scholarships; increased opportunities for academic, civic and professional opportunities; and ready access to technological advancements.

Coinciding with the University’s 150^th anniversary celebrations this year, the campaign has reached more than 70% of its goal thanks to those who are dedicated to helping hard-working students excel academically. Intentional about fueling these students’ academic dreams are Clinton, NJ resident Dawn Swope Apgar and West Chester, PA resident Charles (“Chuck”) E. Swope, Jr., cousins who hail from three generations of families committed to nurturing student success. Their grandfather, Charles S. Swope, served as president of West Chester State Teachers College. Their grandmother, Edna, and their own fathers, Richard M. Swope and Charles S. Swope, formed The Swope Foundation in 1960, which has provided more than one million dollars in scholarship funds to West Chester University students.

The goal of the Dr. and Mrs. Charles Swope Scholarship Foundation has been to ensure that students receive financial assistance so they can attain their higher education goals. Charles and Edna Swope, both graduates of West Chester State Normal School in 1921, donated to the church, supported their families who had fallen on hard times, and gave all the produce from their garden to neighbors and friends in West Chester. The family ethos has always been to work hard and save so that gains could work for family members, friends, and be used to help others.

Dawn, an assistant professor and assistant chairperson for the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ, and Chuck, a broker of record and chairman of Swope Lees Commercial Real Estate, LLC in West Chester, see themselves as stewards of this Swope family mission today.

“Our grandparents, then parents, recognized the world is shaped by the great minds of the future,” said Dawn. “They felt it’s important to pay it forward by investing in bright, motivated students.”

To ensure their educational legacy, Dawn and Chuck recently completed the strategic transition of the family Foundation into a memorial endowment.

“We wanted to leverage the institutional capabilities of the West Chester University Foundation,” said Chuck. “We like knowing that there is a plan for the future, and it allows us to focus less on the business aspects and more on the students.”

For the Swopes, those relationships anchor their family’s mission to continue to make a difference where it matters most.

“Our Foundation is now in its fourth generation, and I’ve still stayed in contact with past recipients,” said Dawn. “Our hope is that the scholarships are an example of how students can feel connected — with one another and with our family.”

“The seeds of student success at West Chester University were first sown by the Swope family and continue today,” said West Chester University President Chris Fiorentino. “All of us are truly grateful to this family for committing their lives and resources to making sure hardworking students have access to an exceptional education, as well as to the tools that enhance their abilities. We hope others will be inspired by the Swope family’s example, their generosity, and their belief in the difference that West Chester University students can make in the world.”

First Resource Bank has generously awarded WCU Foundation $2,500 to support the Frederick Douglass Institute’s K-12 outreach programs. WCU Foundation is eligible as an Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) under Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. The Frederick Douglass Institute runs educational enrichment programs throughout the academic year in Coatesville and Norristown Area School Districts. Viewed left to right: Deb Cornelius, Chief Development Officer, WCU Foundation; Dr. Christian Awuyah, Director, Frederick Douglass Institute; Lee Herzer, VP for Commercial Lending, First Resource Bank; and Chris Mominey, CEO of WCU Foundation.