Alumni Association names Attorney Fred Wiest as Honorary Alumnus

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Fred J. Wiest, retired partner of Williamson, Friedberg & Jones LLC, Pottsville, Pa., has been named as the Penn State Alumni Association's Honorary Alumnus for 2013. The Penn State Alumni Association's Honorary Alumni Program was created to recognize outstanding individuals who, though not graduates of Penn State, make significant contributions to Penn State's welfare, prestige, and reputation. The award for becoming an Honorary Alumni, beyond the pride of being associated with the University, includes lifetime membership in the Penn State Alumni Association and a cast bronze medallion by internationally renowned artist Jeanne Stevens-Sollman.
 
Wiest has served on the Penn State Schuylkill Advisory Board since Jan. 1, 1954, making him the longest serving living board member. He has made numerous contributions to Penn State Schuylkill, including establishing the Elizabeth S. and Fred J. Wiest Trustee Scholarship and the Faculty/Student Research Endowment. Wiest also donated funds to build the atrium in the Health & Wellness Building during its remodeling in 2007; now it's known as The Fred J. and Elizabeth S. Wiest Atrium.
 
Wiest is a resident of Minersville, Pa., a graduate of Swarthmore College and Harvard Law School. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1941 and served as president of the Schuylkill County Bar Association from 1956 to 1957. Wiest's career spanned 70 years focusing his practice in the fields of elder law, wills, estates and probate, real estate law, and municipal law, until his retirement in June 2012. Additionally, Wiest served his country in the armed forces during World War II.
 
Wiest has two children: Marian Sommerfeldt (husband Glen) and Richard J. Wiest (wife Rosalie); and two grandchildren. His wife Betty is deceased. The Honorary Alumni induction is set for May 31, at the University Park campus.