Partners in Progress, the public phase of ֱ’s largest comprehensive fundraising campaign, continues to add to its tally while making a difference for students and the community.
Over $62 million of the campaign’s ambitious $70 million goal has been raised, helping to increase access to higher education, refreshing existing and adding new academic programs, engaging students in new ways and fueling growth throughout the business community.
“We’re ecstatic by the enthusiasm generated in our community about the campaign and the significant impact it is having on the student experience,” said ֱ Vice President for Advancement and Government Affairs Thomas Minick ’98 MBA ’10. “The needs of our students and the communities in which we serve continue to increase and there are so many ways you can help address those needs.”
Alvernia launched the campaign, which aims to build stronger communities by redefining higher education, at the annual President’s Dinner in October 2023 following years of planning and fundraising in the silent phase. The campaign is focused on funding the university’s commitment to fostering academic distinction, supporting the community, and preparing students for a future defined by innovation and impact and is anchored by four pillars:
• Access and Opportunity
• Academic Engagement
• Student Success
• Community Engagement
Originally approved by the ֱ board of trustees in December 2020, the campaign prioritized the university’s CollegeTowne Initiative in Reading and Pottsville. It focused on funding new academic programs such as engineering and refreshing existing programs such as business, communication, leadership, nursing and occupational therapy in the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne and Pottsville CollegeTowne. The O’Pake Institute for Economic and Entrepreneurship and other student-centered initiatives such as the Hope Fund were also areas of focus.
Alvernia secured over $52 million during the initial silent phase of the campaign. The fertile pre-launch period included the opening and naming of the John R. Post School of Engineering and the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne, a living and learning facility that opened in 2021; the introduction of Pottsville CollegeTowne in January 2023; and the launch of the state-of-the-art John and Karen Arnold School of Nursing and Interprofessional Healthcare Simulation Center in fall 2023 on the second floor of the Post Center. Additionally, alumnus Greg Header and his family made the largest alumni gift in university history to fund business scholarships for students.
Additionally, in October 2023, ֱ and Berks Community Health Center (BCHC) announced a partnership to expand healthcare access for downtown Reading residents while providing real-world learning opportunities for College of Health Sciences students. The community-based health center will be housed at the former American House property (354 Penn Street), located across the street from the Post Center.
In addition to traditional primary care services, the Berks Community Health Center will offer mental health services, nutrition and wellness education, financial literacy education, social services assistance, and warm hand-off referrals. The site will also host clinical experiential learning opportunities for ֱ’s students in healthcare science and social services programs. In January 2024, the Wyomissing Foundation made a $300,000 commitment to fund the collaborative venture.
The public phase of the Partners in Progress campaign will continue to focus on partnerships as the drivers of growth and innovation while providing many new and expanded support opportunities for community members interested in philanthropy.
“The needs of today’s students are more significant than ever. At ֱ, we have cultivated a unique culture of care that addresses those needs,” said ֱ President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. “Our community is committed to addressing these needs and being part of lasting, positive change for Reading, Pottsville, and the other communities we serve through the Partners in Progress Campaign.”
