Vera Spina Greenwald is the new president of the Alle-Kiski Society. In April, she presented Penn State New Kensington student Craig Synan with the society's, "Penn State Spirit" award.
Former campus student to head local alumni;
upcoming fundraisers: horse racing and golf
UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Vera Spina Greenwald, a 2003 Penn State graduate, was elected president of the Alle-Kiski Society Board of Directors June 15 at the society’s end-of-the-year meeting.
Greenwald, chief clerk for Westmoreland County, will oversee a 20-member board and serve a two-year term, beginning July 1. She replaces Tim Oberlin whose term expires June 30. Ashley Traini, a 2005 alumna, takes over the vice presidency after four years as treasurer. Laura Kelly, a 1999 Penn State graduate, assumes the treasurer’s duties. Kristi Swierczewski, a 1991 alumna, was re-elected as secretary.
A former Penn State New Kensington student, Greenwald served as vice president under Oberlin. She joined the alumni society in 2007 and was elected secretary in 2011. She serves on the board’s scholarship committee, which recommends New Kensington students for the society’s annual scholarships. This year, $5,500 will be awarded to upperclassmen. In the past 23 years, the New Kensington-based society has awarded $48,000 to 55 campus students. The scholarship was first endowed in 1998 at $15,000 and now stands at $109,000.
Greenwald attended the campus for two years before moving to University Park to complete her bachelor’s degree studies in journalism with a minor in psychology. While at the campus, she was active in the Student Government Association, THON and the Lion Ambassadors. Greenwald was named Lion Ambassador of the year in 2001. A year later, as chair of the campus’ THON team, she spearheaded the drive that raised $9,300 in 2002, tripling the previous record of $3,000. The effort earned New Kensington the award as the Most Improved Campus in the Penn State system.
As chief clerk, Greenwald is responsible for preparing the county commissioners' meeting agendas, compiling meeting minutes, maintaining county records and overseeing bid openings and contracts. A lifelong resident of Vandergrift, Greenwald lives in her hometown with her husband Jason Greenwald. They enjoy traveling, and Italy tops the list of favorite places. Disney World is second.
About the society
Based at the campus, the Alle-Kiski Society of the Penn State Alumni Association engages in various campus projects throughout the year, interacting with alumni and current students through social and fundraising events and other networking activities. In March, the society held its 13th annual Alumni Bowlathon that raised $6,600 for campus projects and scholarships. In the past four years, the society has increased its scholarship endowment from $51,000 to $109,000. In addition to its scholarship largesse, the alumni organization, which comprises Penn State graduates from the New Kensington and University Park campuses, made a $10,000 gift to campus athletics for equipment for the cardiovascular fitness room. Penn State alumni and friends are encouraged to reconnect with the University and campus by attending the Alle-Kiski Society meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. The next meeting is Aug. 17 at the Elks Lodge in Tarentum.
Upcoming events: horse racing and golf
The Alle-Kiski Society's Night at the Races will be held 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Elks Lodge #644, Sixth and Locke Streets in Tarentum. Alumni and friends are encouraged to purchase ownership of a horse in one of the races and experience the exhilaration of winning a big race. It’s the same as being the owner of American Pharoah, the Triple Crown winner. Well, almost the same. (American Pharoah has four legs; your horse will have four legs. American Pharoah ran around the track counterclockwise, your horse will run around the track counterclockwise. American Pharoah is worth $32 million, your horse will be worth... okay, we’ll give him that one. However, your horse will have a longer tail.) Admission is free, so you have more money to put on the nose of the bobtail nag while somebody else bets the bay. Horses are $5, $10, and $20, and are available from Michael Sawhook, 724-335-3583. Proceeds benefit campus projects and scholarships at the New Kensington campus.
The Alle-Kiski Society's 16th annual Alumni Golf Scramble is set for 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 14, at the Links at Spring Church in Apollo, Pa. Co-hosted by Penn State New Kensington, the tournament is open to alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends of Penn State. The $110 entry fee includes dinner, refreshments and awards. Various golf packages are available, including tournament sponsorships, ranging from $500 to $3,000 and tee sponsorships for $100. In the past four years, the tournament has raised $33,000. Proceeds benefit the society's endowed scholarship that is awarded annually to New Kensington campus students.
For more information, contact Bill Woodard at 724-334-6049 or uxw1@psu.edu