WEST CHESTER, PA — West Chester University (WCU) recently honored the members of the President’s Circle, a group dedicated to advancing student success through philanthropy and volunteerism. The recognition event highlighted the vital role these individuals play in supporting the university’s mission.
The President’s Circle includes alumni, parents and family members, friends, faculty, staff, and community partners who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to WCU. They contribute significantly to student success and form a robust foundation for the future of the university. These members are part of three philanthropic societies: the Carillon Society, the Heritage Society, and Community Partners.
WCU President Christopher Fiorentino lauded the members’ generosity, stating, “Our focus is always on our students and how we can best help them reach their goals – and it’s the people in this room whose generosity makes a direct and significant difference in their lives.” He expressed gratitude for their annual donations, lifetime giving milestones, and recognition as President’s Award Honorees.
The 2023 President’s Award recipients include Kathleen Hassinger ’80, M’86, Edward J. Boyer ’78 (1956-2020), Dr. Anita Foeman, Dianne and Michael Peich, and GFWC The New Century Club of West Chester.
Deb Cornelius ’91, Executive Director of the WCU Foundation, emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating these contributors. She described them as champions of West Chester, deeply invested in the success of the university’s Golden Rams.
Senior Claire Zito, a scholarship recipient who studied abroad in Singapore, provided insight into the student experience enabled by these donors. She said, “The people and programs here at West Chester were the catalyst to shaping who I am. After my first few classes, I gained a genuine love for academics that I hadn’t felt before.”
Zito is set to graduate in the spring with a degree in interdisciplinary studies and minors in international business, sustainability and resilience, digital marketing, and Japanese language. Her story underscores the impact that the President’s Circle members and their contributions have on shaping students’ experiences and success at West Chester University.
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