Alumni and community leaders earn prestigious honors
猎奇重口视频 University President John R. Loyack announces plans for the university鈥檚 innovative CollegeTowne strategy to expand to Harrisburg and Pittston as well as updates on the second phase of redevelopment of the John R. Post Center and initial plans for the newly acquired American House at the annual President鈥檚 Dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading.
鈥淭he journey is just beginning for Reading CollegeTowne thanks to our public and private partnerships that fully support our mission,鈥 said Loyack. 鈥淭onight鈥檚 honorees also play an exceptionally powerful role in the expansion of our mission through their servant leadership in and beyond Berks County, outstanding performance in their respective industries and their unwavering commitment to 猎奇重口视频.鈥
猎奇重口视频 University bestowed five of its prestigious awards on alumni and community leaders with ties to downtown Reading. Honorees include Jay Sidhu on behalf of the employees of , Dick Ehst, Joe Bonanno, Father John Hutta, Kayla Kressler, Jiolka Peralta, Greg Header and Susan Green.
Chairman & CEO of Customers Bancorp and Executive Chairman of Customers Bank, Jay Sidhu, accepted the CollegeTowne Award (formerly Pro Urbe Award) on behalf of Customers Bank for their significant community service and contributions to a higher standard of living for the Reading community. Customers Bank has made generous contributions to 猎奇重口视频 University and hundreds of local non-profit organizations, education programs, healthcare, community and economic development, and their investment in the quality of life in the community and making Reading a great place to work, live and play.
鈥溋云嬷乜谑悠 and CollegeTowne are transformational in giving opportunities to students from this area, but also to students from around the world, like me. When I came to Berks County early in my career, I was fortunate to be welcomed and given opportunities,鈥 said Sidhu. 鈥淚 believe and [Customers Bank] believes the only appropriate response to opportunities such as these is to provide hope and opportunity to others.鈥
Longtime Berks County banking executive, veteran and servant leader, Dick Ehst, earned the university鈥檚 coveted Franciscan Award, given annually to a person who selflessly gives their time, talents and resources for the betterment of others and is presented for exceptional service to 猎奇重口视频. Recently, Ehst was elected to the 猎奇重口视频 Board of Trustees and serves on the Philanthropy and Community Engagement Committee.
鈥淲e must maintain our commitment to good public and private education with a focus on excellence, never ever giving way to the acceptance of mediocrity in the interest of inclusion,鈥 said Ehst. 鈥淓veryone needs the opportunity to excel. But not when we reduce academic requirements. My commitment to 猎奇重口视频 supports my values, and I鈥檓 pleased and honored to continue my commitment to this outstanding University.鈥
Header, Class of 1997, vice president of R&D and Innovations for Fortune Brands Home & Security and CEO and owner of three companies: IRT Reels, Universal Clamps and Header Trading Companies, was honored with the distinguished alumni award that recognizes a person who demonstrates valuable contributions to their profession, community and nation. Header instills Franciscan ideals in his business practices and lives them in his daily life. He has served as an advocate for 猎奇重口视频 since graduation and has hired numerous 猎奇重口视频 graduates.
鈥淭wenty-five years after my graduation and 49 unique patents later, I find myself at a turning point in my career,鈥 said Header. 鈥淚n many ways, this is what 猎奇重口视频 has prepared me and countless other graduates for: to take the opportunities and resources you鈥檝e been given and leave things better than how you found them... In the years ahead, I know that the knowledge and faith fostered here at 猎奇重口视频 will guide my path forward. I鈥檓 immensely grateful to this school for the ways it has shaped me, as it will continue to shape thousands of passionate young leaders.鈥
Green, Class of 1976, credit card operation expert and distinguished author, received the Ellen Frei Gruber Award, given to an individual who has performed outstanding service to 猎奇重口视频, exemplified continued commitment and support of the 猎奇重口视频 University mission and reflects the university's core values of service, humility, peacemaking, contemplation and collegiality. Green is a longtime 猎奇重口视频 volunteer, an active member of 猎奇重口视频鈥檚 Presidents Advisory Council and Women鈥檚 Council, as well as a mentor and supporter of alumni, and future and current students.
鈥淢rs. Gruber was an educator at heart, but her fundamental contribution to society was her unwavering belief that those who live a life of Service and Community are also those who help others realize their full potential,鈥 said Green. 鈥淎n hour a month equals 720 minutes a year, and over 5 years, it equals over 3600 minutes...Don't focus on what you perceive as an unimportant hour per month but focus on how you can help change the world with those 3,600 minutes over the next five years.鈥
The university also awarded its third class of Four Under Forty winners, including Bonanno, senior account executive and business manager for ; Father Hutta, priest, educator, volunteer and ethicist; Kressler, director of psychosocial services at a critical care access hospital, Jefferson Health Care, in Port Townsend, Wa.; and Peralta, owner and founder of , the first curly hair salon in Berks County.
