Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
West Chester Area Education Foundation celebrates its partners
The independent, nonprofit West Chester Area Education Foundation celebrated its partners, and Partner of the Year, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, during Friday’s eighth annual recognition breakfast, at Rustin High School.
Drew Stanley, senior vice president and chief strategy officer for Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, lauded the foundation for giving high school students “real-world experience,” with students getting a chance to work hand-inhand with businesses.
WCASD Superintendent Dr. Jim Scanlon asked, “What can we do better to prepare our students for the world of work?”
He then showcased professional video prepared by students, and the awards themselves, which were designed by students, and made with a 3-D printer. The district’s first 3-D printer was purchased with 2010 foundation funding.
During the 2016-2017 school year, the foundation collected almost $100,000, with $400,000 overall, toward programs including internships, mini-grants, work with the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, scholarships to Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week and support in the classroom.
West Chester University President and keynote speaker Chris Fiorentino talked about the “huge beneficial collaboration” between the school district and university.
Twenty-seven mentors and 256 WCASD teachers work with WCU students.
“We make sure graduates are prepared for the
types of challenges in the real world,” Fiorentino said. “We should be focused as we prepare our students to go on to work.”
Fiorentino said students should develop critical thinking skills, become problem solvers, work well in groups and communicate well.
The university’s simple mission statement reads that graduates should be personally and professionally successful and contribute to the common good.
Fiorentino said there is a place in the world for English, history and liberal arts graduates.
He said the university and school district provide opportunities for students to engage in activities outside the classroom.
“What’s going to make you different?” he asked. “Did you volunteer or engage in outside programs?”
The university has set aside $100,000 for students to travel overseas.
“Thank you for the opportunity that has changed me forever,” the WCU president said a student recently told him about a foreign experience.
DNB Bank and First Resource Bank were Foundation Circle sponsors. BB&T Bank and Pediatric Therapeutic Services served as Gold sponsors, and Silver sponsors included Blackney Hayes Architects, Brandywine Heating and Air Conditioning, First Priority Bank, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, Fulton Bank, Giant, West Chester University and West Chester University Foundation.
CCRES was a Bronze sponsor, along with Fisher Cunnane & Assoc., Gawthrop Greenwood, Deb Maccariella, Horace Mann, Krapf School Bus, the Kitchen @ Pine Street and Unruh, Turner, Burke and Frees.
Friends included, ACAC Fitness & Wellness, state Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-156, Catando Vision, Fick Educational Services, PFEW/Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, Gateway Medical, JL Architects, Magnus Health, Thomas Comitta Associates, Thornbury Township and Wegmans.