Published: 11/15/2019
Gannon Ceremony Honors Old Main Society and Universitas Society Donors
On Friday afternoon, Gannon President Keith Taylor Ph.D. warmly welcomed honorees of the Old Main and Universitas Societies.
Old Main Society members are those individuals, corporations and foundations who have generously committed $1 million or more cumulatively to the University. They represent the zenith of philanthropy to Gannon University.
The Universitas Society recognizes those who have given $100,000 to the University. The seal for the Universitas Society is a compilation of a number of the stained glass windows in the Yehl Ballroom. Each window on the Universitas seal symbolizes the disciplines of ethics, philosophy, theology, literature, justice, poetics and language.
Inductees to the Old Main Society include:
- C. Chris Cooney '63, honored posthumously, shared his generosity through the C. Christopher Cooney Endowed “Power” Scholarship and the Cooney and Jackman Families Professorships Endowed Fund.
- Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority - grants for consultation, the Erie Chamber Orchestra, an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Network, the Beehive Innovation space, GO College, and Our West Bayfront with a grant to “Revitalize Erie's Bayfront Neighborhoods," presented to ECGRA’s Executive Director, Perry Wood.
- Orris C. and Beatrice Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Foundation – The Orris C. Hirtzel and Beatrice Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Foundation Circulation Center at the Nash Library and Learning Commons, the development of a Water Education, Training, and Testing Institute, the Zurn Science Center Zurn Renovation Fund, Interprofessional Education for the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences, and the Creation of a Collaborative Business/Health Science Innovation Beehive Node for I-HACK, presented to Hirtzel Foundation Trustee Patricia Callan.
- Pierre McCormick ’79 and Kathryn McCormick – Annual Fund for Academic Excellence, Athletics, Campus Ministry, the Julie Wolfe Wakeley Annual Scholarship Award, Saint Joseph House of Faith in Action, numerous endowment scholarships, and The Pierre McCormick Cyber Learning Center.
Universitas Society honorees include:
- Joyce R. Fairman, supporting the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence, Women’s Basketball, and the Hammermill Center Campaign.
- Francis W. Haas ’61 and Marie Spaeder Haas ’73VMC, whose gifts benefit the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence, the Francis W. Haas and Elaine Marie Spaeder Haas Endowed “Power” Scholarship, and the Mobility Garden at Gannon’s Ruskin Campus.
- Kenneth L. Koessler, Jr. ’70 and Paula Koessler, who assist our students through the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence and the Kenneth & Paula Koessler Endowed “Power” Scholarship.
- Fred P. Deverse ’64 and Carolyn Deverse, supporting the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence, the Fred and Carolyn Deverse Endowed Scholarship, and the William “Benny” And Adeline Deverse Family Endowed “Power” Scholarship.
- Reverend Leo J. Gallina ’66, supporting the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence, the Erie Chamber Orchestra, Athletics, and the Leo J. Gallina, Jessie S. Gallina and Fr. Leo J. Gallina Endowed Scholarship.
- Attorney Gwendolyn M. (Ralph) Garbarino ’82 and G. Barrett Garbarino, Esq., benefitting the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence, Athletic Boosters, Sports Clubs, the Julie Wolfe Wakeley Annual Scholarship Award, and the Garbarino Family-Newcombe Foundation Endowed Scholarship for Mature Women Students.
- Thomas B. Hagen and Susan Hirt Hagen ’80M, supporting the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence, the Luther Manus Book Fund, the Leadership Erie Fund, and Renovations of the Catholic House.
- Stacy M. Juchno ’98 and Scott Dibble, supporting the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence and the Juchno Cyber Innovation Fund.
- Dr. Kiran Rajasenan ’93 and Rosemarie Mankosky Rajasenan ‘93, whose gifts benefit the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence, the Rajasenan-Mankosky Family Endowed Scholarship, Athletic Boosters, and the Alternative Break Service Trip Just Haiti Project.
- Dr. Keith Taylor and Dr. Mary Jean Taylor have displayed a tremendous dedication to Gannon and Erie through the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence, Athletic Boosters, Gannon Goodwill Garden, numerous scholarships and funds, Erie GAINS – St. Joseph House of Faith in Action, and the Alternative Break Service Trips.
To see more from today's events, visit Gannon on Facebook.