The Ellen Frei Gruber Award is presented to an individual who has given outstanding service to his/her alma mater and exemplified continued commitment and support of the mission of Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Most importantly, this individual reflects the values of service, humility, peacemaking, contemplation and collegiality. The following Alvernia alumni received the award from 1983 through 1989. All biographical information current at the time of the award.
1983
- Mary Ann D’Alonzo
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Degrees:
- B.A. Elementary Education/English '69
Bio:- Homemaker
- Religious Education Teacher, 4th grade, Saint Catherine of Siena
- Past Volunteer, Homeroom Mother, Exeter School District
- Past Member, Executive Board, Assoc. of Parents and Teachers
- Past Member, Board of Directors, St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing
- Past Volunteer, Girl Scouts of America
- Community Advocate, Exeter Township
- Alvernia College, Past:
- Admissions Counselor
- Consultant, Alumni Association
- Officer, Alumni Association
- Director of Class Agents
1984
- Sister Rosemary Stets. OSF
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Degrees:
- B.A. English/Secondary Education '71
- M.A. English, Indiana State University 1978
- M.A. Religion, Fordham University 1995
Bio:- Associate and Vocation Director, Bernardine Franciscan Sisters
- Adjunct Faculty, Alvernia College
- Provincial Secretary, Bernardine Sisters Sacred Heart Province, 1985-1993
- Associate Professor of English and Communications, Alvernia College, 1973-1985
- Faculty Advisor, Alvernia College Yearbook, Newspaper, Literary Magazine
- Former Board Member, Sacred Heart Medical Center, Chester, PA
- Co-Chair, Bernardine Franciscan Centennial Celebration in Scared Heart Province, 1993
- Past Member, Alumni Executive Board
1985
- Michael J. Skoraszewski
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Degrees:
- B.A. Psychology '78
- M.A. Clinical Psychology, Farleigh Dickinson University
- Psy. D Clinical Psychology, Va. Consortium for Professional Psychology
Bio:- The Community Service Board of Virginia Beach, Virginia Private Practice
- Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor specializing in the sexual disorders, and AIDS.
- Published research in the area of neuropsychological complications of HIV.
- Lectured extensively on the psychological aspects of HIV and AIDS.
- Recognized as an expert witness and psychotherapist in the area of sexual abuse perpetration.
- Provides clinical training to doctorate level students in Clinical Psychology.
1986
- Joseph J. Swope
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Degrees:
- B.A. Communications, magna cum laude '80
- MA Journalism, Temple University 1982
- Doctoral Studies, Temple University 1992
Bio:- Manager of Media Relations and Special Projects for UGI Utilities, Inc., one of the largest natural gas utilities in Pennsylvania and part of an international Fortune 500 energy company.
- Author who has had five books published by Black Rose Writing.
- Board Member, Berks County Chapter, American Diabetes Association
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters Community Day Bowler
- Member, Easter Seals Office Olympics
- Member, The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education
- Member, The College and University Public Relations Association of Pennsylvania
- Past, Director of Public Relations and Instructor in Communication, Alvernia College
- Media Committee, Committee of Elect Ludgate Judge, 1989
- Presenter, student Careers Fair, Muhlenberg High School
- BCTV Scenic River Days Committee
- Celebrity Waiter for Leukemia Dinner
- United Way Employee Communications Committee
- American Heart Association Communications Committee
- Allentown Diocese Newspaper Advisory Committee
1987
- Honorable Linda K.M. Ludgate
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Degrees:
- B.A. Criminal Justice/Social Work, magna cum laude '77
- Juris Doctor, Temple University School of Law 1980
Bio:- Working for the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts since 2016 sitting in various counties that need the Services of an out-of-county judge.
- State Judgeship, Elected Court of Common Pleas of Berks County
- Presides over all types of criminal matters, including misdemeanors, felonies, and homicides
- Recipient, 1993 Golden Crowbar Award from Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges
- Phi Alpha Delta Law Society
- Initiated Victims’ Impact Panel for Drunk Driving Offenders
- Alvernia College:
- Board of Trustees
- Board of Directors 1982-1992
- Membership Committee
- Government Affairs Committee
- Chair, By-Laws Committee
- Secretary of the Board
- People Against Rape now known as the Center for Victim’s Assistance, Steering Committee and Trained Counselor
- Central Pennsylvania Legal Services, Board of Directors
- Founding Member, Berks Women Network
- Member, Berks County Prison Society
- Member, Reading-Berks AIDS/HIV Consortium
- Women in Crisis Center for Battered Women and Children
- Berks County YWCA Trendsetter Award 1990
1988
- Christine Dracopolos Carpenter
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Degrees:
- B.A. History '76
- AA Liberal Arts, Reading Area Community College
Bio:- Leader Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
- Human Resource Director
- Past President, Alvernia College Alumni Association
- Past Director, Alumni Affairs, Alvernia College
- Past President, Alumni Council RACC
- Past Board President, Berks Ballet Theater
- Member, Berks Women in Crisis
- Volunteer, United Way
- Lifetime Member, Harley Owners Group
- Sigma Tau Delta, Alvernia College
- Member, Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Foundation
1989
- Alice Jean Bleacher
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Degrees:
- Associate Degree, Banking and Finance '83
Bio:- National Penn Bank, Assistant Vice President
- Permanent Commercial Mortgage Lender for non-owner occupied properties
- Graduate, Bucknell School of Banking
- AIB Certificates General, Basic, Standard
- Past Member, Berks County American Institute of Banking President 1987, 1988
- Past Member, Leadership Berks President 1993-94
- Member, United Way Allocation Committee
- Member, Berks Visitors Marketing Committee
- Member, Berks County Chamber of Commerce
