Annual Impact Report






D e a r D o n o rs ,
N o w i s t h e t i m e Fo l l o w i n g a y e a r l o n g c e l e b ra t i o n o f 1 5 0 y e a r s o f h i s t o r y a n d h e r i t a g e a t We s t C h e s t e r U n i v e r s i t y, n o w i s t h e t i m e t o t u r n o u r e y e s t o t h e f u t u re .
T h e a n n o u n c e m e n t o f o u r m o s t a m b i t i o u s c a m p a i g n , 1 5 0 Fo r wa rd : T h e C a m p a i g n fo r We s t C h e s t e r U n i v e r s i t y, h a s i n s p i re d d o n o r s l i ke y o u t o e n s u re t h a t s t u d e n t s u c c e s s i s e n a c t e d i n m e a n i n g f u l wa y s , t o d a y a n d t o m o r ro w We c a n b e p ro u d o f s u r p a s s i n g $ 51 m i l l i o n i n a c a m p a i g n w i t h a $ 6 5 m i l l i o n g o a l , k n o w i n g t h a t w e w i l l i m p a c t m o re s t u d e n t s
T h i s c a m p a i g n h a s t h re e p r i o r i t i e s t h a t a re fo c u s e d o n s t u d e n t s : i n c re a s e d a n d o n g o i n g a c c e s s t o s c h o l a r s h i p s , c o c u r r i c u l a r e n g a g e m e n t t h a t p ro v i d e s ex p e r i e n c e s o u t s i d e t h e c l a s s ro o m , a n d e n h a n c e d l e a r n i n g e n v i ro n m e n t s t h a t a re re l e va n t t o t h e d e m a n d s o f o u r c u r re n t w o r l d T h e y t o u c h u p o n e v e r y a s p e c t o f a s t u d e n t ’s e d u c a t i o n a l ex p e r i e n c e .
Tu r n i n g t h e p a g e s t h a t fo l l o w, y o u w i l l s e e t h e s e p r i o r i t i e s re f l e c t e d i n s t o r i e s a b o u t d o n o r s a n d s t u d e n t s t h a t d e m o n s t ra t e t h e p o w e r o f g i v i n g T h e s e s t o r i e s re p re s e n t o n l y a f ra c t i o n o f d o n o r s w h o s e c o n t r i b u t i o n s re a c h e d $ 1 2 1 m i l l i o n i n g i f t s a n d f u t u re c o m m i t m e n t s l a s t f i s c a l y e a r (J u l y 1 , 2 0 2 1 J u n e 3 0, 2 0 2 2 ) I t i s o u r h o p e t h a t y o u a re i n s p i re d b y t h e i r p a s s i o n , d e d i c a t i o n , a n d c o m m i t m e n t
N o w i s t h e t i m e t o c o n s i d e r y o u r p h i l a n t h ro p i c c o m m i t m e n t h o w y o u r v i s i o n c a n d i re c t l y c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e c y c l e o f s u c c e s s t h a t w i l l d r i v e t h e n ext 1 5 0 y e a r s M o v i n g 1 5 0 Fo r wa rd c o l l e c t i v e l y, w e w i l l h e l p c re a t e a l i fe t i m e o f s u c c e s s , p e r s o n a l l y a n d p ro fe s s i o n a l l y, fo r o u r c u r re n t a n d f u t u re G o l d e n R a m s .
C h r i s t o p h e r M. F i o r e n t i n o , P h . D . P r e s i d e n t , We s t C h e s t e r Un i v e r s i t y
D e b r a G . C o r n e l i u s ’ 9 1 E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r, I n t e r i m , W C U Fo u n d a t i o n
Pe r r y C oz zo n e ’8 3 , M ’8 8 a d m i t s i t i s exc i t i n g t o g et yo u r n a m e o n a p l a q u e I n h i s c a s e, Pe r r y g ot h i s fat h e r ’s n i c k n a m e i m m o r t a l i ze d o n a s e g m e nt of U n i ve r s i t y Ave n u e “S h a c k ’s Way ”
B u t fo r Pe r r y, t h e re a l h i g h l i g ht of g i v i n g b a c k i s e m p owe r i n g st u d e nt s w h o wa nt t o m a ke t h e i r ow n d i ffe re n c e i n t h e wo r l d .
H e v i v i d l y re c a l l s re c e i v i n g h i s f i r st “ t h a n k yo u ” l ett e r f ro m a re c i p i e nt of h i s Fu t u re Le a d e r s E n d ow m e nt fo r s c h o l a r at h l et e s
“ Wow, t h at wa s i m p a c tf u l , ” Pe r r y s ay s . “ H e re’s s o m e o n e w h o h a s a l l t h e c re d e nt i a l s t o b e at t h e U n i ve r s i t y, b u t j u st n e e d s a b i t of h e l p t o g et t h e re s h ow i n g v u l n e ra b i l i t y a n d g i v i n g g e n u i n e t h a n ks ”
T h at i m p a c t i s h i s m ot i vat i o n fo r st ay i n g c o n n e c t e d t o t h e U n i ve r s i t y a s a fo r m e r fa c u l t y m e m b e r, c u r re nt m e m b e r of t h e P re s i d e nt ’s C o r p o rat e Ad v i s o r y B o a rd , a n d a c t i ve s u p p o r t e r of t h e P re s i d e nt ’s Wa l k , B u s i n e s s & P u b l i c M a n a g e m e nt C e nt e r, a n d T h e S c i e n c e s & E n g i n e e r i n g C e nt e r a n d T h e C o m m o n s
Pe r r y c re d i t s a s i m i l a r c yc l e of e m p owe r m e nt fo r e n a b l i n g h i m t o re a c h h i s g o a l s C u r re nt l y p re s i d e nt a n d C EO of C R C I n d u st r i e s , a s p e c i a l t y c h e m i c a l m a n u fa c t u re r, Pe r r y t ra c e s h i s s u c c e s s b a c k t o h i s d ay s a s a WC U c o m p u t e r s c i e n c e st u d e nt
T h e f i r st of h i s b rot h e r s fo r t u n at e e n o u g h t o att e n d WC U, Pe r r y fo u n d e n c o u ra g e m e nt a n d d i re c t i o n f ro m h i s p a re nt s a n d p rofe s s o r s w h o h e l p e d h i m s e c u re h i s f i r st i nt e r n s h i p a n d j o b
“ I wa nt t o g i ve b a c k t o t h e p e o p l e a n d o rg a n i z at i o n s t h at h e l p e d m e, ” Pe r r y s ay s “ W h e n I wo r ke d w i t h t h e Fo u n d at i o n , I fe l t c o m fo r t a b l e w i t h t h e i r g e n u i n e v i s i o n of h e l p i n g st u d e nt s w i n . S o a ny t h i n g I c a n d o t o h e l p st u d e nt s b e eve n b ett e r p re p a re d t h a n I wa s , I ’ m m o re t h a n h a p py t o d o ”
Fo l l o w “ S h a c k ’s Wa y ” t o t h e s t e p s o f T h e S c i e n c e s & E n g i n e e r i n g C e n t e r a n d T h e C o m m o n s a n d y o u ’ l l f i n d a h a n d s o n l e a r n i n g e n v i ro n m e n t t h a t l e a d s s t ra i g h t t o s u c c e s s
Inside, students are using mannequins that blink and breathe to prepare for careers in respiratory therapy Graduates function as advanced level practitioners who evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders
“ When you go into a patient’s hospital room, you s ee the wall connections, the suctions, the puls e oximeter, and it c an be a little intimidating,” s ays Juliette Saviello ’23. “Seeing every thing here in a controlled environment is huge.”
“ The simulation rooms are s o realistic,” adds Claire Croft ’23. When students practice skills like CPR , their profess ors c an speak to them through the mannequins, mimicking real patients, or through wall monitors Cameras and video recording s oft ware s et the stage for group debriefs, where students c an learn from their mistakes and each other
“ We h a v e s u c h a c o m f o r t a b l e s p a c e t o l e a r n , ” s a y s A s h l e y Tr o u t m a n ’ 2 3 “ I c a n ’ t i m a g i n e n o t g e t t i n g t h i s e x p e r i e n c e ”
See for yourself how much your gift can accomplish. For more information, visit www.WCUFoundation.org/Direct-Your-Gift
Ashley adjusts the pat ient’s breathing tube to a void sk in breakdown.
How one man’s thirst for knowledge led him and West Chester University to great heights.
S t r i v i n g t o d o b e tt e r i s a h a l l m a r k o f P h i l D o n l e y ’s a p p ro a c h t o l e a r n i n g .
A fo o t b a l l i n j u r y i n h i s s o p h o m o re y e a r o f h i g h s c h o o l p ro p e l l e d P h i l f ro m a t h l e t e t o e q u i p m e n t m a n a g e r, a n d e v e n t u a l l y i n t o h i s f u t u re p ro fe s s i o n
“ I t ’s a v i s u a l I c a n s t i l l s e e c l e a r l y t o d a y, ” h e s a y s “ T h e We s t V i rg i n i a U n i v e r s i t y a t h l e t i c t ra i n e r f i n i s h e d exa m i n i n g m y b u d d y ’s k n e e a n d I t h o u g h t , ‘ I wa n t t o l e a r n h o w t o d o t h a t ’ ”
W h e n P h i l s t e p p e d o n c a m p u s i n 1 9 6 5 a s a fa c u l t y m e m b e r, We s t C h e s t e r o n l y o f fe re d t e a c h e r e d u c a t i o n H e a c c e pt e d t h e c h a l l e n g e o f ex p a n d i n g t h e c u r r i c u l u m , w h i c h i n c l u d e d a n i n e w e e k s u m m e r p ro g ra m o p e n t o o t h e r s c h o o l s
“ I wa n t t o d o t h i n g s t h a t o t h e r p e o p l e d o n’ t k n o w h o w t o d o, a n d I t re a t m y p a t i e n t s t h a t wa y I ke e p l o o k i n g fo r b e tt e r wa y s t o d o t h i n g s . ”
I n 1 9 6 6 , P h i l h i re d V i rg i n i a Fo r s y t h , a p h y s i c a l t h e ra p i s t a n d WC U g ra d u a t e w h o m a y h a v e b e e n t h e f i r s t f u l l t i m e fa c u l t y a n d s t a f f a t h l e t i c t ra i n e r i n t h e c o u n t r y.
I n t h e 1 97 1 7 2 a c a d e m i c y e a r, h e e s t a b l i s h e d t h e f i r s t a c a d e m i c p ro g ra m fo r a t h l e t i c t ra i n e r s i n t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h o f Pe n n s y l va n i a U n d e r P h i l ’s l e a d e r s h i p, We s t C h e s t e r b e c a m e h o m e t o t h e f i r s t c o e d u c a t i o n a l fa c i l i t y fo r s t u d e n t a t h l e t e s i n t h e c o u n t r y
“ T h e exa m p l e P h i l s e t i s s t i l l s e e n t o d a y i n t h e m o d e l i n g o f i n v o l v e m e n t b e t w e e n fa c u l t y a n d s t u d e n t s a t d i f fe re n t l e v e l s o f t h e o rg a n i z a t i o n , a d v o c a c y fo r t h e p ro fe s s i o n , a n d t h e d e l i v e r y o f q u a l i t y h e a l t h c a re , ” s a y s S c o tt H e i n e r i c h s , D e a n o f t h e C o l l e g e o f H e a l t h S c i e n c e s
N o w c e l e b ra t i n g 5 0 + y e a r s , g ra d u a t e s a n d f r i e n d s o f t h e p ro g ra m a n d c u r re n t a n d fo r m e r fa c u l t y h a v e d o n a t e d o v e r $ 7 9,0 0 0 t o re n a m e a p o r t i o n o f t h e s o o n t o b e re n o va t e d s p a c e i n t h e S t u r ze b e c ke r H e a l t h S c i e n c e C e n t e r i n P h i l ’s h o n o r
“ I t h i n k i t ’s i m p o r t a n t t h a t c u r re n t a n d p ro s p e c t i v e s t u d e n t s s e e w h a t g ra d u a t e s h a v e d o n e s t a t e w i d e , a n d n a t i o n a l l y, ” P h i l s a y s
“A n d h o w t h i s p ro g ra m p ro v i d e d t h e fo u n d a t i o n fo r t h e i r w o r k i n t h e f i e l d ”
of the first four accredited athletic training programs Today there are 250 programs
alumni have been inducted into the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame.
alumni have been recognized as the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association
alumni named to the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame
alumni have been inducted into the Pennsylvania Athletic Training Hall of Fame.
Learn how you can help build a better WCU. Visit w w w.WCUFoundation.org to get started.
In conjunction with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association conference held in Philadelphia, the College of Health Sciences and the Department of Sports Medicine hosted a reception to honor Phil and the University’s 50+ years of athletic training education. Pictured are (L R) Katie Morrison ’02, Professor and Chair of Sports Medicine; Scott Heinerichs ’99, Dean of the College of Health Sciences; honoree Phil Donley; and President Christopher Fiorentino
He’s reaped the benefits of college and mentorship. So he’s enabling r ising police personnel to do the same. .
To Ty re e B l o c ke r M ’8 6 , t h e l i n k b e t w e e n h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n a n d l a w e n fo rc e m e n t i s c r y s t a l c l e a r
“ Po l i c i n g i s a b o u t t h e p e o p l e , ” h e s a y s “ I t ’s a b o u t i n t e r p e r s o n a l s k i l l s T h e m o re e d u c a t i o n t h a t p o l i c e o f f i c e r s a n d l a w e n fo rc e m e n t p e r s o n n e l h a v e , t h e b e tt e r t h e y c a n i n t e ra c t w i t h c i t i ze n s i n a p o s i t i v e m a n n e r. ”
Ty re e’s a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s a re a t e s t a m e n t t o t h a t b e l i e f. H e b e g a n h i s c a re e r w i t h t h e Pe n n s y l va n i a S t a t e Po l i c e a s a t ro o p e r i n 1 975 , g ra d u a l l y r i s i n g u p t h e ra n ks
I n 2 01 5 , h e wa s a p p o i n t e d a s t h e 2 1 s t s t a t e p o l i c e c o m m i s s i o n e r, a p o s i t i o n h e h e l d u n t i l re t i r i n g i n 2 01 8
Ty re e b e l i e v e s h i s m a s t e r ’s d e g re e i n c r i m i n a l j u s t i c e f ro m WC U p l a y e d a c r i t i c a l ro l e i n h i s s u c c e s s
“ M y i n s t r u c t o r s w e re v e r y i n f l u e n t i a l i n m y l i fe , ” h e s a y s “ D r S a u l G re e n b e rg t a l ke d a b o u t h o w i m p o r t a n t c h a ra c t e r a n d j u d g m e n t a re fo r p o l i c i n g T h a t re a l l y re s o n a t e d w i t h m e ”
Ty re e fo u n d a n o t h e r m e n t o r i n C o l o n e l R o n a l d M S h a r p e t h e f i r s t B l a c k c o m m i s s i o n e r o f a s t a t e w i d e p o l i c e fo rc e “ R o n wa s a l wa y s a va i l a b l e t o s h a re h i s w i s d o m a n d a n s w e r m y q u e s t i o n s , ” Ty re e s a y s . “ H e wa s i n s t r u m e n t a l i n e n c o u ra g i n g m e t o s e e k p ro m o t i o n s w i t h i n t h e s t a t e p o l i c e , e v e n m e n t o r i n g m e i n p re p a ra t i o n fo r t h e exa m s ”
Aft e r C o l o n e l S h a r p d i e d i n 2 0 0 4 , Ty re e fo u n d h i m s e l f wa nt i n g t o h o n o r h i s m e nt o r ’s i m p a c t b ot h o n h i m s e l f a n d h u n d re d s of ot h e r m e m b e r s of t h e Pe n n s y l va n i a S t at e Po l i c e
T h e re s u l t wa s t h e C o l o n e l R o n a l d M S h a r p e M e m o r i a l S c h o l a r s h i p, p re s e n t e d a n n u a l l y t o a m i n o r i t y s t u d e n t m a j o r i n g i n c r i m i n a l j u s t i c e
“ T h e s c h o l a r s h i p fo r m a t i o n p ro c e s s wa s v e r y e a s y t o n a v i g a t e , ” Ty re e s a y s “ I t wa s a s p e c i a l wa y t o h o n o r R o n n o t j u s t a s a p ro fe s s i o n a l , b u t a s a g o o d h u m a n b e i n g . A n d I ’ m e n c o u ra g e d t h a t t h e s c h o l a r s h i p s i g n a l s h o w i m p o r t a n t h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n i s w i t h t o d a y ’s l a w e n fo rc e m e n t b e i n g p o s i t i v e , fo c u s e d , a n d p ro a c t i v e . ”
“
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I t h e l p e d m e p a y m y g ra d u a t i o n b i l l , ” s h e s a y s a n i m p o r t a n t s t e p f o r t h i s f i r s t g e n e ra t i o n s t u d e n t w h o p l a n s o n a t t e n d i n g l a w s c h o o l a f t e r c o m p l e t i n g h e r d e g re e i n c r i m i n a l j u s t i c e .
G ro w i n g u p i n a v i o l e n t We s t P h i l a d e l p h i a n e i g h b o r h o o d , N a s e e m a h d e v e l o p e d a s t ro n g i n t e re s t i n c i v i l r i g h t s a n d w ro n g f u l c o n v i c t i o n s S h e’s c u r re n t l y P re s i d e n t o f t h e N A AC P a t WC U
“ The NAACP is the oldest and boldest organization,” Nas eemah s ays “ They ’ve helped a lot of people in my community, s o it’s s omething I’m really proud to be a part of ”
Her course of study also includes a minor in African American Studies “When I become a lawyer, I want to focus on creating affordable legal representation for minorities,” she says “Even as an African American woman, there’s still more to learn ”
“ I n t h e o u t s i d e w o r l d , ra c e re l a t i o n s a n d t h e l a w w i l l i n t e r s e c t re g a rd l e s s o f t h e c i rc u m s t a n c e s I w a n t t o b e p re p a re d f o r e v e r y t h i n g I i n t e n d t o a c c o m p l i s h . ”
Naseemah participated in the LSAC Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Program at North Carolina Central University School of Law. Designed for undergraduates from minoritized groups who are underrepresented in the legal profession, the program prepares students for a successful legal education.
S e e fo r yo u r s e l f h ow m u c h yo u r g i f t c a n a c c o m p l i s h . G e t st a r t e d a t w w w.WC U Fo u n d a t i o n .o r g /S c h oReceiving the Colonel Ronald M Sharpe Scholarship made a difference for Nas eemah Jacks on ’23 almost immediately
Fo r C a ro l K a s h o w ’ 7 7, t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o p l a y s o f t b a l l a t We s t C h e s t e r S t a t e C o l l e g e a m o u n t e d t o m o re t h a n a t r i p t o t h e n a t i o n a l t o u r n a m e n t i n h e r s e n i o r y e a r
C a ro l ’s 41 y e a r c a re e r i n a t h l e t i c s b e g a n w h e n h e r fo r m e r c o a c h , B e tt y B o y l e , c a l l e d h e r a b o u t a j o b o p p o r t u n i t y a t D rexe l U n i v e r s i t y
“ I c o a c h e d t w o s p o r t s a n d t a u g h t c l a s s e s a t t h e c o l l e g i a t e l e v e l a t t h e r i p e o l d a g e o f 2 3 , ” C a ro l s a y s .
“ We s t C h e s t e r p ro v i d e d m e w i t h a g re a t fo u n d a t i o n , a n d B e tt y c a re d e n o u g h t o t e l l s o m e o n e t h a t I w o u l d b e a g o o d c h o i c e I t w o u l d n’ t h a v e h a p p e n e d i f s h e d i d n’ t p i c k u p t h e p h o n e a n d s a y, ‘A p p l y, ’ b e c a u s e i f y o u r c o a c h t e l l s y o u t o d o s o m e t h i n g , y o u d o i t ”
Af t e r re t i r i n g f ro m 1 2 h o u r d a y s i n t h e c l a s s ro o m a n d w e e ke n d c o m p e t i t i o n s , C a ro l t o o k t h e t i m e t o re f l e c t o n w h a t wa s i m p o r t a n t t o h e r g i v i n g b a c k ro s e t o t h e t o p o f t h e l i s t
J o i n i n g t h e A l u m n i A s s o c i a t i o n B o a rd o f D i re c t o r s , s h e s e i ze d t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o s e r v e o n t h e S c h o l a r s h i p C o m m i tt e e a s a wa y t o p a y i t fo r wa rd t o s t u d e n t s l i ke h e r
R e v i e w i n g a p p l i c a t i o n s g a v e C a ro l i n s i g h t i n t o t h e va r y i n g b a c kg ro u n d s o f WC U s t u d e n t s . “ I f i n i s h e d m y c a re e r a t t h e C i t y U n i v e r s i t y o f N e w Yo r k , w h e re a l o t o f s t u d e n t s a re f i r s t g e n e ra t i o n , l i ke I wa s . ” s h e s a y s .
“ I t ’s a b a l a n c e We s t C h e s t e r s h o u l d c o n t i n u e t o s u p p o r t t h o s e w h o h a v e exc e l l e d a l re a d y, a n d t h o s e w h o h a v e t h e p o t e n t i a l t o exc e l ”
Wo r k i n g w i t h t h e Fo u n d a t i o n , C a ro l a n d h e r s p o u s e , H a l l i e C o h e n , e s t a b l i s h e d a p l a n n e d g i f t t o c re a t e t h e C o a c h B e tt y B o y l e S o f t b a l l E n d o w m e n t & K a s h o w/C o h e n Fa m i l y S o f t b a l l E n d o w e d S c h o l a r s h i p
A s m e m b e r s o f t h e G e o rg e M o r r i s P h i l i p s S o c i e t y, t h e i r l e g a c y re p re s e n t s a c o m m i t m e n t t o WC U s t u d e n t s fo r y e a r s t o c o m e .
“ I f y o u h a d a g re a t ex p e r i e n c e l i ke I d i d , t h i s i s a w o n d e r f u l i n v e s t m e n t ”
T h e G e o r g e M o r r i s P h i l i p s S o c i e t y i n c l u d e s o v e r 4 7 0 m e m b e r s w h o’ v e i n c l u d e d t h e Fo u n d a t i o n i n t h e i r e s t a t e p l a n s . A s p e c i a l w e l c o m e t o t h i s y e a r ’s n e w m e m b e r s ( J u l y 1 , 2 0 2 1 J u n e 3 0 , 2 0 2 2 ) :
How this private foundation is finding unique solutions to common obstacles.
A l t h o u g h m u c h of Lo r i C u s h m a n’s p rofe s s i o n a l ex p e r i e n c e l i e s i n s oft wa re a n d te c h n i c a l s a l e s a n d c o n s u l t i n g , p h i l a nt h ro py h a s a l ways p l aye d a ro l e i n h e r c a re e r.
S h e’s vo l u nte e re d a s P ro g ra m C o o rd i n ato r fo r U n i te d Way of C h e ste r C o u nt y a n d h a s s e r ve d o n t h e b o a rd s of c h a r i t i e s l i ke t h e C ove nt r y L i o n s C l u b a n d We st C h e ste r A re a Ed u c at i o n Fo u n d at i o n
N ow s h e’s P re s i d e nt at J u st a m e re Fo u n d at i o n , wo r k i n g w i t h s c h o o l s a n d n o n p rof i t s to p ro m ote fa m i l y s u st a i n i n g i n c o m e s t h ro u g h a s s i st a n c e p ro g ra m s a n d e d u c at i o n
“ I n eve r y t h i n g we d o, we’ re l o o k i n g fo r t h o s e g a p s t h at a re n ot c ove re d u n d e r t ra d i t i o n a l m et h o d s , ” Lo r i s ays “ T h e i m p e d i m e nt s t h at ke e p k i d s f ro m f u l f i l l i n g t h e i r g o a l s . ”
“ W h at f i r st st r u c k m e i s h ow m u c h wo r k t h e U n i ve r s i t y d o e s to ke e p t h e h o m e l e s s p o p u l at i o n e n g a g e d a n d i n s c h o o l g ett i n g t h e m ove r t h o s e h u m p s to a b ette r to m o r row. ”
So she connected with the Corporate & Foundation Relations Office at West Chester University Foundation to explore how she could support programs that align with her mission
I n 2 02 1 , J u st a m e re Fo u n d at i o n m a d e a g e n e ro u s g i ft to h e l p e st a b l i s h t h e Fu n d fo r U n p a i d I nte r n s h i p s a n d t h e E m e rg e n c y Tra n s p o r t at i o n Fu n d , b ot h g e a re d towa rd s e n s u r i n g st u d e nt s d o n’ t t u r n d ow n i nte r n s h i p s b e c a u s e of f i n a n c i a l b a r r i e r s o r l a c k of t ra n s p o r t at i o n I n m a ny c a s e s , st u d e nt s w h o re c e i ve st i p e n d s a re a b l e to l e ave p a r t t i m e j o b s t h at a re u n re l ate d to t h e i r c a re e r g o a l s to p u r s u e i nte r n s h i p s t h at a re d i re c t l y a l i g n e d w i t h t h e i r f u t u re p l a n s .
D u r i n g t h e 2 02 1 2 2 a c a d e m i c ye a r, WC U ’s Twa rd ows k i C a re e r D eve l o p m e nt C e nte r awa rd e d $ 8 8 ,70 0 i n st i p e n d s to 4 6 st u d e nt s e i g ht y p e rc e nt of awa rd e d st u d e nt s re c e i ve d a c a d e m i c c re d i t fo r t h e i r i nte r n s h i p s .
J u st a m e re’s c o m m i t m e nt to c re at i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s i s ev i d e nt i n i t s p h i l a nt h ro p i c s u p p o r t , w h i c h tot a l s ove r $ 1 5 0,0 0 0 to WC U, a n d i t w i l l c o nt i n u e to g row
“ I f we b re a k t h e c h a i n n ow, ” s ays Lo r i , “ we’ re n ot j u st h e l p i n g t h e m , b u t a l s o t h e g e n e rat i o n s to c o m e ”
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A s a S e c o n d a r y E n g l i s h E d u c a t i o n m a j o r, M a d i s o n M a c Le a n ’ 2 3 i s u s i n g ext ra c u r r i c u l a r o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o p u t h e r p a s s i o n i n t o p ra c t i c e
H e r f i r s t y e a r o n c a m p u s , M a d i s o n a t t e n d e d a s t u d e n t i n v o l v e m e n t f a i r a n d l e a r n e d o f a t u t o r i n g p o s i t i o n a t t h e l o c a l C h a r l e s A M e l t o n A r t s & E d u c a t i o n C e n t e r, o f f e re d t h ro u g h WC U ’s C e n t e r f o r C i v i c E n g a g e m e n t & S o c i a l I m p a c t N o w i n h e r s e n i o r y e a r, s h e’s a m e m b e r o f t h e l e a d e r s h i p t e a m a n d s e r v e s a s S i t e Le a d e r f o r t h e N e w D i re c t i o n s p ro g ra m f o r K 8 s t u d e n t s , d e s i g n i n g t h e c u r r i c u l u m a n d h e l p i n g t o f a c i l i t a t e d a i l y p ro c e d u re s
“ I ’ v e u s e d m y k n o w l e d g e a s a n e d u c a t o r t o s u p p o r t s t u d e n t s w i t h re a d i n g a n d w r i t i n g a n d h a v e w o r ke d o n c l a s s ro o m m a n a g e m e n t , b e h a v i o r m a n a g e m e n t , a n d e m o t i o n a l s u p p o r t , ” s h e s a y s
“ M a n y o f t h e s t u d e n t s I w o r k w i t h c o m e f ro m a d v e r s e ex p e r i e n c e s , a n d t h e m i n o r i n Yo u t h E m p o w e r m e n t a n d U r b a n S t u d i e s h a s re a l l y e q u i p p e d m e t o d o t h a t T h e b e t t e r t h e p ro g ra m i s , t h e b e t t e r I c a n s e r v e t h e k i d s t h a t ’s w h a t ’s m o s t i m p o r t a n t ”
The University helped uncover his pa ssions. Now they’ re a perfect fit for helping others.
G ro w i n g u p, M i c h a e l M e l e ’8 9 d i d n’ t ex p e c t t o b e c o m e a n E xe c u t i v e V i c e C h a i r m a n a t a g l o b a l re a l e s t a t e s e r v i c e s f i r m m u c h l e s s a b o a rd m e m b e r o f WC U Fo u n d a t i o n
“ I w a s a d y s l ex i c k i d b e f o re t h a t w a s d i a g n o s e d , a n d m y g ra d e s w e re n o t g re a t , ” M i c h a e l s a y s . “ B u t t h e U n i v e r s i t y t o o k a c h a n c e o n m e ”
M a j o r i n g i n f i n a n c e , h e d i s c o v e re d a n i n t e re s t a n d k n a c k f o r n u m b e r s I n s p i re d , h e a n d h i s ro o m m a t e b e g a n a w i n d o w c l e a n i n g b u s i n e s s , t ra c k i n g t h e i r c o s t s a n d p ro f i t s
D e c a d e s l a t e r, M i c h a e l i s l e v e ra g i n g t h a t s a m e e n t re p re n e u r i a l d r i v e w i t h t h e s e l f s t o ra g e a d v i s o r y g ro u p a t C u s h m a n & Wa ke f i e l d
“ I f t h e U n i v e r s i t y h a d n’ t t a ke n a c h a n c e o n m e , n o n e o f t h i s w o u l d ’ v e h a p p e n e d , ” M i c h a e l s a y s . “ Yo u re a c h a p o i n t i n y o u r l i f e w h e re y o u s e e h o w y o u g o t t h e re a n d h o w y o u c a n re p a y i t t o t h e n ext g ro u p ”
L i k e h i s f o r a y i n t o f i n a n c e , M i c h a e l ’ s j o u r n e y a s a W C U F o u n d a t i o n b o a r d m e m b e r w a s b o t h u n e x p e c t e d a n d o r g a n i c .
“ I f o u n d i t s h o c k i n g t h a t t h e P re s i d e n t w o u l d w a n t t o c o m e a n d m e e t m e , ” h e a d m i t s “ B u t w e s t a y e d i n c o n t a c t T h e n t h e y a s ke d m e i f I ’d w a n t t o j o i n , s i n c e m y re a l e s t a t e b a c kg ro u n d w o u l d b e a g o o d f i t ”
“ N o w w e w e re t a l k i n g a b o u t s o m e t h i n g t h a t i n t e re s t e d m e , ” M i c h a e l c o n t i n u e s “ I t p ro g re s s e d , a n d n o w I ’ m c h a i r m a n o f t h e h o u s i n g c o m m i t t e e I t ’s a h e c k o f a l o t o f f u n , a n d w e d o a g re a t j o b ra i s i n g m o n e y t h a t g o e s s t r i c t l y t o s t u d e n t s ”
Fo r M i c h a e l , s e r v i n g i s a n exe rc i s e i n g ra t i t u d e a n d g i v i n g s t u d e n t s t h e s a m e c h a n c e s h e re c e i v e d H e e n v i s i o n s t h e U n i v e r s i t y b e c o m i n g a l e a d e r i n ST E M s t u d i e s , h e l p i n g f u t u re e n g i n e e r s a n d d o c t o r s d i s c o v e r t h e i r o w n p a s s i o n s
“ W h e n y o u g e t i n t o g i v i n g , i t ’s exc i t i n g , ” M i c h a e l s a y s “ T h e m o re s u c c e s s f u l a s c h o o l g e t s , t h e m o re i t f e e l s l i ke a p l a c e p e o p l e w a n t t o re t u r n t o a n d t h e m o re f u n i t ’s g o i n g t o b e f o r e v e r y o n e ”
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E d wa r d N . C o l l i s o n ’ 9 3 P re s i d e n t / P r i n c i p l e H o b b s a n d C o m p a n y, I n c .
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To d d E . M u r p h y, ex o f f i c i o V i c e P re s i d e n t fo r Ad m i n i s t ra t i o n & F i n a n c e , We s t C h e s t e r U n i v e r s i t y
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“
West Chester University holds a special place in my heart, and I am honored to ser ve on the West Chester University Foundation Board. The incredible growth in size and scope of our campus and curriculum gives an even greater number of aspiring learners access to all the good that our university is built upon. Seeing firsthand the positive impact that scholarships, campus improvements, and opportunities outside the classroom have on our students is extraordinary our community of donors and our network of alumni make these moments possible.”
The West Chester University Foundation engages donors and other partners to drive student success We secure funding that helps West Chester University students achieve more
We are committed to our core values of passion, respect, innovation, dedication, and ethics
Learn how you can support our momentum at w w w.WCUFoundation.org/150For ward.
T h e p r i m a r y m i s s i o n o f S t u d e n t S e r v i c e s , I n c o r p o ra t e d ( S S I ) i s t o i n i t i a t e , re g u l a t e , a n d o p e ra t e t h e f i n a n c i a l m a tt e r s o f a l l c o c u r r i c u l a r s t u d e n t a n d c a m p u s a c t i v i t i e s t h i s i n c l u d e s t h e m a n a g e m e n t o f t h e WC U C a m p u s S t o re a n d R a m S h o p ; s t u d e n t p u b l i c a t i o n s , c l u b s , o rg a n i z a t i o n s , a n d p ro g ra m m i n g ; e v e n t t i c ke t i n g s e r v i c e s ; i n t ra c o l l e g i a t e a t h l e t i c s ; a n d t h e G ra d u a t e S t u d e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
U t i l i z i n g p h i l a n t h ro p y, t h e y a re p ro v i d i n g e v e n m o re .
“ S S I h a s a l o n g h i s t o r y o f b e i n g a p a s s i o n a t e s u p p o r t e r o f We s t C h e s t e r U n i v e r s i t y s t u d e n t s , ” s a y s S S I C h a i r o f t h e B o a rd o f D i re c t o r s B e r n i e C a r roz z a ’6 6 “ We a re h a p p y t o p ro v i d e t h e t y p e o f re s o u rc e s a n d s u p p o r t t h a t w i l l e n a b l e b r i g h t m i n d s a n d d re a m s t o f l o u r i s h ”
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Fo r o v e r t h re e d e c a d e s , S S I h a s c h o s e n t o f u n d i n i t i a t i v e s i n a re a s t h a t i m p a c t e v e r y a s p e c t o f a s t u d e n t ’s e d u c a t i o n a l ex p e r i e n c e a n d t h a t a l i g n w i t h t h e t h re e p r i o r i t i e s o f
1 5 0 Fo r wa rd : T h e C a m p a i g n fo r WC U H e re i s w h e re t h e y ’ v e fo c u s e d t h e i r c o n t r i b u t i o n s :
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L e a d i n g w i t h Te c h n o l o g y B u s i n e s s & P u b l i c M a n a g e m e n t C e n t e r T h e S c i e n c e s & E n g i n e e r i n g C e n t e r a n d T h e C o m m o n s WC U P l a n e t a r i u m Fu n d
C r e a t i n g O p p o r t u n i t i e s At h l e t i c s P ro g ra m s D o w d y M u l t i c u l t u ra l C e n t e r G o l d e n R a m s A b ro a d D r R o n n J e n k i n s D i v i n g & Aq u a t i c s C e n t e r S c h o o l o f M u s i c Pe r fo r m i n g A r t s C e n t e r S t u d e n t Af fa i r s Le a d e r s h i p D e v e l o p m e n t Fu n d Twa rd o w s k i C a re e r D e v e l o p m e n t C e n t e r WC U R e s o u rc e Pa n t r y We i s e n s t e i n Ve t e ra n s C e n t e r
T h e i r m o s t re c e n t g i f t o f $ 3 5 m i l l i o n t h i s y e a r t h e l a rg e s t g i f t i n U n i v e r s i t y h i s t o r y e s t a b l i s h e d t h e S t u d e n t S e r v i c e s , I n c o r p o ra t e d P re s i d e n t i a l E n d o w m e n t , a n d w i l l p ro v i d e a p e r p e t u a l s o u rc e o f a n n u a l f u n d i n g t h ro u g h e a r n e d i n t e re s t
“ T h i s e n d o w m e n t i s q u i t e i n t e n t i o n a l , ” B e r n i e a d d s “ I t o f fe r s t h e f l ex i b i l i t y t o s e i ze o p p o r t u n i t i e s o r t o m a ke s t ra t e g i c i n v e s t m e n t s i n i n i t i a t i v e s a n d p r i o r i t i e s fo c u s e d o n a c h i e v i n g t h e U n i v e r s i t y ’s m i s s i o n o f s t u d e n t s u c c e s s . ”
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