From left to right: Jonathan Kukta, senior director of regional campus relations; Neeli Bendapudi, Penn State president; Cory Scherer, interim chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill; Margo DelliCarpini, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor; and David Kleppinger, chair of the Penn State Board of Trustees, gather at Penn State Schuylkill's 90th anniversary celebration on Nov. 20, 2024.
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Penn State Schuylkill commemorated its 90th anniversary on Nov. 20, welcoming more than 170 attendees, including alumni, faculty, staff, students, elected officials and advisory board members, to celebrate nearly a century of educational impact and community connection in Schuylkill County. Among the distinguished guests were Margo DelliCarpini, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor, and David Kleppinger, chair of the Penn State Board of Trustees, who joined in honoring the campus’ legacy.
Jonathan Kukta, senior director of regional campus relations, opened the event with a welcome to attendees. Interim Chancellor Cory Scherer followed with remarks expressing gratitude to the community for its longstanding support of the campus and sharing insights into Penn State Schuylkill’s growth over the decades.
The celebration included a keynote address by Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi, who highlighted the University's commitment to accessible education and community service, noting the important role Penn State Schuylkill has played in advancing these missions. Bendapudi praised the campus for its contributions to academic excellence and social responsibility.
A program exploring the campus’ history featured speakers reflecting on different eras. History professor Harold Aurand Jr. revisited the campus’ founding and growth during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Alumni Dan and Kathy Pedriani recounted the transformative 1960s and 1970s, while Allen Kiefer, former advisory board president, shared memories from the 1980s and 1990s. Alumna and student-athlete Alyssa Gerber concluded the retrospective, celebrating advancements from the 2000s through the 2020s.
Performances by the Penn State Schuylkill Quartet and Chorale added a festive touch to the celebration, which concluded with a luncheon where attendees shared memories, reflected on the campus’ impact, and looked ahead to its future.
Reflecting on the event, Kukta said, “As we gathered to celebrate 90 years of Penn State Schuylkill, we were reminded that within the halls of this campus reside countless stories of perseverance, growth and achievement. These walls have witnessed generations of students come together, forge lifelong bonds, and create lasting legacies. Last night’s celebration was a powerful reflection of what makes this campus truly special — its people. From our dedicated faculty and staff to University leadership, alumni, community leaders, legislators and our campus advisory board, it is this remarkable community that continues to shape the future of Penn State Schuylkill. As we look ahead, we do so with excitement, knowing that lives will continue to be shaped, relationships molded, and futures crafted.”
Scherer echoed this sentiment, adding, “The 90th anniversary celebration was a great success and allowed the campus to celebrate with the whole community that makes Penn State Schuylkill special. A special thank-you to the committee that was tasked with putting the celebration together — they did a fantastic job.”
