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AlumniHonors, Awards, and … GhostsPenn State Altoona Celebrates Philanthropy with Ivyside Society Induction Ceremony In a celebration of the significant role philanthropy plays in maintaining Penn State Altoona's standard of excellence, members of the college community, alumni, and friends gathered on campus in September for the annual Ivyside Society induction ceremony. For the second straight year, the event in the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts also included the presentation of four awards that recognize professional achievement, community involvement, and/or service to Penn State Altoona and the University. The Ivyside Society was established by the Penn State Altoona Advisory Board in 1987 to honor those who, through their philanthropic support and leadership, share a commitment to the continuing excellence of Penn State Altoona.
Dr. Lori J. Bechtel, chancellor of Penn State Altoona, presided over the ceremony and assisted George Sidney, chair of the Advisory Board, with the presentation of medals and certificates to the inductees. In addition to the inductions, the program was highlighted by remarks from a benefactor, a scholarship recipient, and a Penn State Altoona administrator that illustrated the powerful impact of philanthropy. Altoona native and former Penn State Altoona student Edith Hertzog explained how she commemorated her triumph over colon cancer by creating a Trustee Matching Scholarship at the college, sharing a personal story of hope and inspiration. Penn State Altoona student Veronica Berry, a married mother of three and recipient of the Deborah Newell Duffield '73 Endowed Scholarship, explained how financial aid has enabled her to limit the number of hours she works outside the home while pursuing an education degree and raising her children. Sherri McGregor, coordinator of Summer Kids' College, detailed the impact of a commitment from Investment Savings Bank that created an endowment that provides scholarships for children whose families cannot afford the cost of tuition. Reinforcing that impact was the present-ation of a video highlighting area youth engaged in Summer Kids' College activities. The Ivyside Society event paid tribute to Don and Nancy Devorris for their recent $1 million commitment and long-standing philanthropic support of Penn State Altoona. The evening also included receptions prior to and after the ceremony and a performance by cast members of Ghosts: The Musical, a local theatre production. The Ivyside Society program featured the inaugural presentation of awards to four individuals who have distinguished themselves through their professional achievement, community involvement, and/or service to Penn State Altoona and the University.
THOMAS R. SMITH
As a volunteer leader over the last twenty years, Smith has served in a variety of leadership roles for alumni affiliates in Blair County. He has been fully engaged in the planning of activities that have allowed alumni and friends to maintain a personal connection to the University. A 1971 Penn State graduate, Smith currently is president of the Penn State Altoona Alumni Society, an organization dedicated to serving the interests of the college and its alumni. Smith has been employed as a teacher and guidance counselor by the Altoona Area School District for thirty-two years, playing a significant role in the development of society's future leaders. He also has served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 28th Infantry Division Band for thirty-six years. A saxophone player, he has performed with the band around the world. The band has traveled to Europe five times to commemorate World War I and World War II battles in which the 28th Division participated. In 2005, the band bused to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to perform at Camp Shelby, a mobilization point for troops deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq. One of Smith's passions is Penn State athletics. He has traveled to fifteen Bowl games, including the 1982 and 1986 national championship games and the 1995 Rose Bowl. He has been a football season ticket holder for almost forty years and basketball season ticket holder for twenty-five years.
MARIANNE MISCIAGNA YOUNG, M.D.
Young is a member of the radiation oncology team of Southwest Radiation Oncology at The Frank C. Love Cancer Institute at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The hospital is renowned for offering the most advanced diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of cancers. Young was selected by her peers as one of the Best Doctors in America and one of the Best Doctors in Oklahoma in 2005. She appeared on the Oklahoma Best Doctors list as one of the top six radiation oncologists in the state. Previously, Young served as radiation oncologist at Westmoreland Regional Hospital in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and Chief of Radiation Oncology at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. She also served as clinical assistant professor in the Department of Radiology and Cancer Research Center of Hawaii at the John Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa. An Altoona native and former Penn State Altoona student, Young served her country as a United States Army officer from 1977-94. She earned her bachelor's degree in Nutrition from Penn State in 1977 and medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, in 1983.
INVESTMENT SAVINGS BANKD
Three years ago, Penn State Altoona received a commitment of $100,000 from ISB both to create an endowment and to fund scholarships in support of Summer Kids' College, an enrichment program administered by the College's Office of Continuing Education and Training. The five-year commitment is an unprecedented demonstration of philanthropic support—believed to be the first ever for a program administered by Continuing Education and Training. It provides critical funding to fulfill the tuition assistance requests received from the parents of children who otherwise would not be able to attend Summer Kids' College. While a scholarship program existed previously, sufficient funding had not been available in the past to meet all requests for assistance. Through the philanthropy of Investment Savings Bank, more children than ever have been able to benefit from the enriching Summer Kids' College experience. Summer Kids' College has become an integral part of the summertime experience for many children and their families in Penn State Altoona's service area. Through Investment Savings Bank's generous gift, the countless benefits of the program have been extended to even more children anxious for the opportunity to learn and participate.
ROSALIND E. SKY
Penn State Altoona is one of many institutions in Blair County that benefits from Sky's creative spirit. As vice-chair of the college's Development Council, she assisted the development team in broadening its base of support among alumni and friends nationwide. Sky also provided valuable leadership as a member of Penn State Altoona's Grand Destiny Campaign Steering. Generous gifts from Sky and her husband, Phil, and Neil and Mickey Port led to the naming of Port-Sky Café on campus. The Skys have funded two need-based scholarships, including one that is designated for students who have overcome difficult life circumstances to graduate from high school and enter college. The Skys have been recognized by the University for their longstanding philanthropic support with membership in the Mount Nittany Society. In the fall of 2004, they were inducted into the Platinum category of the Ivyside Society. Sky contributes seemingly limitless time, energy, and enthusiasm to programs, projects, and activities that help to shape Penn State Altoona's future. She readily partners with staff and fellow volunteers in collaborative efforts that propel the college to ever greater levels of achievement and notoriety. The Ivyside Society consists of four categories of membership: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Membership in the Platinum category reflects cumulative giving of $50,000 or more. The Gold category reflects cumulative giving of $25,000 or more. Cumulative giving of $10,000 or more is recognized with membership in the Silver category. Contributions of $1,000 or more in a given year—July 1 to June 30—are recognized with membership in the Bronze category. New members of the Ivyside Society's Platinum category are Cablan G. Azar, of Altoona, and the late Helen L. Kelly, of Altoona. New members of the Gold category are John E. and Constance D. Boyd III, of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and Ralph E. and Deborah L. Lattanzio, of Oak Hill, Virginia. New members of the Silver category are Carol Moser Black, of Burtonsville, Maryland, Raymond M. Eckenrode, of Patton, Pennsylvania, Allen A. and Kathleen B. Wenturine, of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, and the Wolf-Kuhn Foundation. Nearly eighty individuals, couples, organizations, corporations, and foundations were recognized as members of the Bronze category. |
