Penn State Schuylkill will be hosting its annual scholarship dinner on March 26, 2013. Donors are recognized at this event for their giving to Penn State Schuylkill. In addition, scholarship recipients have the opportunity to meet the donor who made their scholarship possible. Theresa Carter, president of OMNOVA Solutions Foundation will be the evening's guest speaker.
Theresa provides leadership and strategic direction in managing the operation of OMNOVA Solution's $23 million Foundation. She is accountable for community relations through charitable giving in each of OMNOVA's company site locations worldwide.
She serves on six non-profit community boards and several advisory councils and committees, including the United Way of Summit County (lead the '08/'09 fundraising campaign, and is the current board chair), The Greater Akron Chamber, The Community Health Center, The University of Akron Foundation, The NAACP Akron Chapter and Akron General Medical Center. She also serves on the board of the AAA Auto Club. Her committee involvement includes the American Heart Association (chair - 2010 "Go Red Luncheon"); the Akron Public Schools Business Advisory Council, The American Red Cross of Summit County, and 91.3 FM- "The Summit." She is a strong, committed volunteer.
Theresa's most recent honors include her induction into the Zeta Phi Beta Mu Rho Zeta Chapter's Council of Elders, for demonstrating dedication, commitment, and compassion in service; as well as a recipient of the Akron Urban League's 2011 Woman of Power: The Magnificent Seven award. Theresa was honored as a recipient of the H. Peter Burg Leadership Award through the American Red Cross of Summit County for her leadership in the community, passion for people and dedication to the Red Cross. She also received the Elizabeth A. Dalton Community Service Award presented by Greenleaf Family Center. In 2007, Theresa was the Athena recipient, recognized for helping women reach leadership potential; and improving the quality of life for others in the community. Other recognitions throughout her career include the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service to Youth Award; H. Peter Burg Volunteer of the Year Award and Helen E. Arnold Humanitarian Award from the Akron Public School System; Community Health Center President's Award for outstanding commitment and service; Peter Bommarito Community Award for volunteerism and service to the Akron area presented by the AFL/CIO and Summit County United Way; Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award in Business; YWCA Woman of Achievement and Black Women of Excellence Awards; the YMCA Minority Achiever Award; IJN-1 Foundation Literacy and the Arts Visionary Award; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Akron Alumnae Chapter, Community Service Award, and the Jobs for America's Graduates, Inc., Above and Beyond Award for her commitment to the school-to-work movement and the leadership provided the Tri-County JOG ( Jobs for Ohio's Graduates now know as JOG Our Way) board of directors.
A native of Demopolis, Alabama, Theresa graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Communications from the University of Alabama. She moved to Akron right out of college and now resides in Copley, Ohio, with her husband Garvin. They have two daughters, Erin and Cesily.