KU Foundation
Update
Afflerbach Scholarship
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n 1991, a bequest from the estate of Mamie H. Afflerbach ’20 established the Calvin E. and Mamie H. Afflerbach Scholarship at Kutztown University. The Afflerbach Scholarship furnishes need-based support for students registered in music courses at KU. Over the last two decades, the scholarship has provided more than $230,000 to students pursuing degrees in music and has had an incredible impact on the music program at Kutztown.
Afflerbach Scholarship recipients (from left): Janelle Decker ’15, Matthew Haelig ’13, Zachary Gardner ’15, Geert Ruelens ’14, Erika Diffendall ’16, Ethan Wightkin ’13, Doreen Smeck ’14. To read more about these students, visit: www.give2ku.org/afflerbach 20 Tower | Spring 2013
This fall, the scholarship was awarded to 16 undergraduates, one of whom is senior Doreen Smeck ’14, a dual major in secondary education and music education. “As a recipient of the Afflerbach Scholarship, I was able to take private organ lessons and accompanied the Kutztown University Choir under the direction of Dr. Dennis Williams,” Smeck said. “Receiving the scholarship was one of the best things to ever happen to me.” Smeck’s music performance studies also led her to an unexpected competition. “A few years ago I entered the Rodgers North American Organ Competition, where I competed against 25 organists ranging in ages from 20 to 35,” she recalled. “After several stages, I advanced to the final stage, which was held here at my own university. I went on to win the People’s Choice Award, and there has yet to be a more satisfying experience in my life.” Philanthropic partnership makes it possible for Kutztown University to provide the types of learning experiences – like Smeck’s – that change lives. Your support helps Kutztown attract talented and diverse students, and through scholarships, the university can offer the KU experience to students who deserve an excellent and accessible education. Planned gifts are a wonderful way to help KU and may qualify you for membership in The Old Main Society, which is named in honor of Old Main, the most historic building on campus and the heart of the university. The Old Main Society recognizes donors who have designated the Kutztown University Foundation as the ultimate beneficiary of a planned gift. Members of The Old Main Society include alumni, current and emeriti faculty, and friends. One of the most important benefits you will receive from joining The Old Main Society is the satisfaction derived from making a contribution to KU’s long-term success. Like the Afflerbachs, you, too, can provide enduring support to the university and its students. To learn more about The Old Main Society and planned giving, please visit www.give2ku.org/ plannedgiving.
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Campaign for KU
n Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, the Kutztown University Foundation & Alumni Engagement held its annual Celebration of Philanthropy dinner to highlight the achievements of students, faculty and alumni and to recognize the philanthropic support of the university’s generous donors. A special video, produced for the occasion, highlighted the remarkable ways that KU students, alumni and faculty are giving back to the university through their time, talent and contributions. The video can be viewed at www.youtube.com/kufoundation. The evening’s program included faculty and student speakers. Professor Vicki Meloney ’93 of the Communication Design Department and professor David Wagaman ’80 of the Business Administration Accounting and Finance Department spoke eloquently about the pride they feel in seeing their students succeed both in class and in their careers after college. KU students Heather Urban ’14 and Samantha Kronstadt ’12, M’14 shared stories about the impact that scholarship support has had upon their time at the university. Urban’s speech highlighted the importance of the culture of philanthropy at KU: “Though my time here has been relatively short, my experience at Kutztown has had a very positive impact on my life,” she said. “I have acquired valuable skills through the community service and leadership activities I participate in, which include serving as a career peer at the Career Development Center and
acting as a coordinator for the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters program offered on campus. These are all activities I feel really passionate about and love doing,” Urban said. “This year I was chosen as the recipient of a student scholarship. Receiving this scholarship has alleviated a financial burden on me and my family. I come from a single-parent home, and knowing that there won’t be a financial struggle this year relieves some of the stress I have carried in the past. The generosity of alumni, parents and friends who donate to the university has truly made a difference not just to me, but to my family as well.” The event was brought to a close with an exciting announcement by Bill Ribble ’73, who had some help from Avalanche and the KU Marching Unit. Ribble is the co-chair, along with Peter Knight, of Setting the Stage, The Campaign for Kutztown University, a comprehensive capital campaign designed to raise funds to enhance the quality of education at KU and contribute to the renovation of Schaeffer. The campaign entered its public phase with Ribble’s announcement that the foundation had, at the time of the event, raised $11.8 million toward the $15 million campaign goal. The campaign total now stands at $13 million. If you would like to learn more about the campaign or how you can get involved, please visit the foundation’s website at www.give2ku.org/campaign.
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4 1 Campaign co-chair Bill ’73 and Joanne (Quinn) Ribble ’74. 2 Professor Vicki Meloney ’93 speaks about her students and her KU teaching experience. 3 Roger Jackson ’90, chair, KU Foundation Board of Directors, and Benjamin Brooks ’79, president, Alumni Association Board of Directors. 4 Presidential Ambassador and scholarship recipient Heather Urban ’14.
Avalanche, the KU mascot, and the KU Marching Unit helped bring the annual Celebration of Philanthropy dinner to a spectacular finish. Spring 2013 | Tower 21