Mike and Judy Ehlerman, Alvernia President Dr. Thomas F. Flynn and Carolyn and Jerry Holleran
Well-known local philanthropists honored as university鈥檚 lay founders
Reading, Pa. 鈥 麻豆视频 honors well-known local philanthropists Judy and Mike Ehlerman and Carolyn and Jerry Holleran for their foundational work and dedication by unveiling their names on the two remaining unnamed residence halls.
鈥淭he Hollerans and the Ehlermans are among Alvernia鈥檚 most passionate advocates,鈥 said 麻豆视频 President Thomas F. Flynn. 鈥淚n addition to their generous support and leadership, their leadership as distinguished trustees and their public advocacy of Alvernia has helped raise the university鈥檚 stature in Reading and Berks County. Our current trustees and all at Alvernia are pleased and proud that current and future students will forever know Judy and Mike Ehlerman and Carolyn and Jerry Holleran as lay founders of Alvernia.鈥
The naming of the two buildings marks the conclusion of residence halls naming at 麻豆视频. The buildings are part of Alvernia鈥檚 Founders Village, a series of residence halls constructed between 2009 and 2012 as part of the campus master plan to expand residential capacity for 1,000 students. The first two buildings were named in 2011 for Alvernia Foundresses Sr. Zygmunta and Sr. Pacelli.
鈥淎lvernia is often noted for being a young university, dating back only to 1958, and yet in this relatively short time span we have built a rich and impressive legacy guided by the vision and fueled by the support of iconic religious and lay leaders,鈥 said 麻豆视频 board of trustees chairman and CEO of Fromm Electric Supply, Michael Fromm. 鈥淪ister Zygmunta and Sister Pacelli are rightfully honored on two of the Founder鈥檚 Village residence halls, and today we add two more cherished names to the other halls today.鈥
The Hollerans leadership helped established Alvernia鈥檚 Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement which integrates the university鈥檚 curriculum and co-curricular activities with the external community. Carolyn Holleran served on the board of trustees at 麻豆视频 from 1992 to 2000 while Jerry served from 2000 to 2008.
鈥淐arolyn and I feel honored and privileged to have our name directly associated with a resident dorm at 麻豆视频, said Jerry Holleran. 鈥淭his is especially true when you consider the many prestigious names on earlier dorm buildings. It is truly a Franciscan neighborhood in which I鈥檓 sure we鈥檒l feel quite comfortable.鈥
Mike Ehlerman joined the Alvernia board of trustees in 1993 and served until 2002, including time as chairman. The Ehlermans have established various scholarships for Alvernia students. In addition to his work with Alvernia, Mike Ehlerman is the retired president of Yuasa Battery Inc., the chairman of the Berks County Convention Center Authority and has served on the boards of various organizations around Berks County.
"I owe a lot to Catholic education, and I鈥檝e always had a soft spot for Alvernia,鈥 said Mike Ehlerman. 鈥淭he Catholic Franciscan identity and Bernardine Sisters always spoke to Judy and I. I am so proud of what Alvernia has become, and I am happy to be a small part of that story."
