The old banner is a collectors' item now that the Alle-Kiski Society has changed its name to the Penn State New Kensington Alumni Society. A new banner will be designed by the Penn State Alumni Association.
New moniker reflects groups’ mission
UPPER BURRELL, Pa. – A philanthropic fixture at Penn State New Kensington for 32 years, the Alle-Kiski Society of the Penn State Alumni Association (PSAA) has undergone an identity transformation. The alumni group recently changed its name to the Penn State New Kensington Alumni Society, which better represents the society’s ties to the campus and its mission of serving New Kensington campus students.
Former campus student Vera Spina Greenwald, first-year president of the society, broached the subject of a new sobriquet at the Feb. 16 meeting of the board. She pointed out that most people did not discern the relationship between the Alle-Kiski Society and the New Kensington campus.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to approach the board about a potential name change,” said Greenwald, a 2003 alumna. “But in my short time as president, I found that a lot of campus graduates weren’t familiar with the term ‘Alle-Kiski Society’ or its connection to the campus. If we want to reach out to the campus graduates, we needed a name to reflect the campus.”
The alumni society was founded in 1984 as the Alle-Kiski Chapter, an organization that sponsored social activities for local Penn State alumni. Dennis Scarpiniti served as the first society president. In the early 1990s, on a recommendation by the PSAA, the group strengthened its connection to New Kensington by morphing into Alle-Kiski Society, a campus organization within the larger alumni association.
“We are, of course, very proud of our roots and that shows with our current board members,” said Greenwald, chief clerk for Westmoreland County. “We have campus graduates, alums that spent some time at the campus, alums that never attended the campus and friends of Penn State.”
The Alle-Kiski Society Endowed Scholarship was established in 1992 and fully endowed at $15,000 six years later. Bill Salem, former society president, launched the Alumni Golf Scramble in 2000 to nourish the scholarship fund. Proceeds from the tournament are earmarked exclusively for the endowment.
The New Kensington society surpassed the coveted $100,000 mark in 2015. In the past five years, the society has donated nearly $60,000 to its campus scholarship, increasing the endowment from $51,000 to $109,000.
As the scholarship fund grew, so did the amount of the annual awards. A total of $1,300 in scholarships went to the first campus recipients -- Kelly Doyle, Tara Murrell and Nicholas Wichowski. This year, $5,500 was distributed to four students -- Lynsie Headley of Ford City; Alissa Dolensky of Lower Burrell; Adis Juklo of Pittsburgh; and Carley Carnahan of Lower Burrell. Each received $1,375, more than the total of the inaugural recipients. Since 1998, the society has awarded $53,500 to 59 campus students.
The alumni group holds two annual fundraisers that are geared to the endowment -- Alumni Bowlathon, which will be held March 13 at Wildlife Lanes in Lower Burrell, and Alumni Golf Scramble, which is set for 12:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 1, at Latrobe Country Club.
The New Kensington society also engages in various campus and alumni projects throughout the year. It interacts with former and current students by sponsoring social events and other networking activities. In addition to raising money, board members are active on campus. They serve as a resource at many student functions, including admissions events, where they to talk with prospective students, and career events, where they discuss job opportunities with soon-to-be graduates.
The society represents more than 7,000 alumni living in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Penn State alumni and friends are encouraged to reconnect with the University and campus by attending monthly meetings. The group meets eight times a year, at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday in February, April, May, June, August, September, October and November. The meeting venue rotates among the campus, Tarentum Elks Lodge and JG’s Tarentum Station in Tarentum. The next meeting is April 18 at the Elks Lodge.
“We will continue to reach out to Penn State friends and graduates that live in area,” Greenwald said. “I really see this as a strong push to attract Penn State New Kensington graduates to the society.”
For more information, contact Bill Woodard, campus liaison, 724-334-6049 or uxw1@psu.edu
Vera Spina Greenwald
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 matriculating 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.
Alumni Golf Scramble
It is the dawning of a new era for the Alumni Golf Scramble. The 17th annual edition will feature a new course, Arnold Palmer’s Latrobe Country Club, a new day, Monday, Aug. 1, and a new tee time, 12:30 p.m.
The tournament is open to alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends of Penn State. If his schedule permits, The King will be at the club to greet guests.
The $200 entry fee includes green fee and cart, lunch, dinner, refreshments and awards. Various sponsorship opportunities are available, ranging from a $5,000 tournament sponsor to a $200 tee sponsor.
For more information, contact Kary Coleman, director of development and alumni relations, 724-334-6057 or kxc22@psu.edu