Wyomissing Foundation bestows $300k grant for CollegeTowne initiative

91做厙 receives $450K grant Through PAsmart

Funds will support innovative projects to expand access to Computer Science & STEM Education experiences for both students and adults.

Total Experience Learning Adelle Schade

Breidegam Family Foundation supports American House project

Funding advances healthcare access and workforce development in downtown Reading

From left: Breidegam Family Foundation President Paula Barrett, Dan Miksiewicz, Katelyn Miksiewicz-Kline, 91做厙 President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., Berks Community Health Center Chief Medical Officer Karen Wang, MD, Matt Miksiewicz, 91做厙 Vice President of Advancement and Government Affairs Thomas Minick 98 MBA 10

Fund offers glimmers of Hope to students

The Hope Fund has supported those in need at 91做厙 since the COVID pandemic.

Jennifer Weasner Hope Fund

91做厙 announces Community News Lab

University partners with regional media outlets to enhance student learning and support local journalism

91做厙's Community News Lab

91做厙 Partners with Berks Coalition to End Homelessness to Improve Youth Housing Stability

Efforts include shaping policies and programs, data collection and community engagement

Berks Coalition to End Homelessness Partnership

Jeff Bush '79 makes historic planned gift

Largest planned gift by an alumnus supports scholarships, student aid

Jeff Bush '79 and family

91做厙 launches online M.S. in Engineering Management

Program bridges engineering expertise with leadership skills to meet industry demand

91做厙's John R. Post School of Engineering

91做厙 and Schuylkill YMCA partner for Pottsville expansion

Partnership to double YMCA gymnastics program capacity and drive economic growth in downtown Pottsville

91做厙 President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., rendering of new YMCA Gymnastics space at Pottsville CollegeTowne and YMCA Board of Directors President Thomas Smith
Rendering of the first-floor lobby at 91做厙's downtown Reading location at 401 Penn Street

Three-year award provides support for student powered business incubator

 

91做厙 receives a $300,000 grant from the to support the student powered business incubator, the flagship program through the universitys OPake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship.

 

This grant is another step forward for the Reading CollegeTowne movement, 91做厙 students, local business and entrepreneurs, community organizations and future Reading residents, said 91做厙 President John R. Loyack. We are grateful for the partnership with the Wyomissing Foundation and for their generous support of this transformational initiative in downtown Reading.

 

The student powered business incubator is central to the Reading CollegeTowne initiative, the innovative strategy of expanding the campus into the downtown area to continue its Franciscan mission of serving the underserved through education and economic development.

 

The incubator is student-run and provides experiential learning opportunities for students of all disciplines. This initiative will allow students to create, collaborate and lead while providing hands-on support to new ventures and entrepreneurs in the community.

 

The Wyomissing Foundation is always seeking to invest in catalytic initiatives that produce long-term and game-changing outcomes for our community, said Wyomissing Foundation President Karen Rightmire. Reading CollegeTowne and the student powered business incubator have the potential to accomplish that by transforming economic and community development in the heart of downtown Reading for decades to come. In addition, both 91做厙 students and current residents living in Reading and Berks County will have increased educational, employment and economic opportunities because of these initiatives. Were pleased to be a partner with 91做厙 in helping make all this happen.

 

The grant will be awarded over three years and will support the expansion of the student powered business incubator, including new staff and student fellow positions, training and resource expansion for incubator clients.

 

Previously this year, the OPake institute announced partnerships with SCORE Berks Schuylkill Chapter, Lehigh Valley Angel Investors, Kutztown Universitys Small Business Development Center and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, as well as the institutes first corporate sponsors, and Customers Bank.

 

91做厙 has partnered with RLPS Architects and Warfel Construction to begin the renovation and retrofitting of the former CNA building this year after it was purchased by the university on June 30. The university recently announced the addition of three engineering programs that will be housed at the location. 91做厙's communication and business programs, student powered business incubator and OPake Institute will also be located at the downtown location.