Take a look back at the top stories of 2019!
Jan 1, 2020
#10 Leadership Berks moves to GRCA in co-branded partnership
Leadership Berks, the premier professional development program for community leaders and housed at ¿ì²¥µ¼º½ since 2009, moves under the auspices of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) in a new co-branded initiative with the university.
#9 Nursing faculty stays on cutting-edge
For her commitment to enhancing the learning environment, ¿ì²¥µ¼º½ assistant professor of nursing Cynthia Rothenberger, DNP, RN, ACNS, BC, is one of 35 nursing faculty participating in a American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) bootcamp to equip nursing educators with cutting-edge digital learning strategies.
#8 ¿ì²¥µ¼º½ unveils newly opened PLEX
The ¿ì²¥µ¼º½ community gathered for the public unveiling, blessing and dedication of the newly opened 100,000 square feet academic and recreation hybrid facility Tom and Helen Flynn Complex for Recreation, Wellness and Health Sciences (PLEX).
#7 Flynn earns emeritus status
The ¿ì²¥µ¼º½ board of trustees grants emeritus status for outgoing president Thomas F. Flynn following 14 years of transformational leadership. This is the first time in the university’s history that an individual in the role of president has received such a distinction.
#6 ¿ì²¥µ¼º½ PhD student named Fulbright Scholar
¿ì²¥µ¼º½ doctoral graduate Abby Wells (Ann Arbor, Mich.) has been awarded the United States-Israel Educational Foundation (USIEF) Fulbright Postdoctoral Research Fellowship.
#5 ¿ì²¥µ¼º½ secures $2.3 million U.S. Department of Education grant
¿ì²¥µ¼º½ receives a $2.3 million Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education, under the Strengthening Institutions Program. The grant will enable ¿ì²¥µ¼º½ to strengthen student achievement, persistence and retention, particularly in the formative first two years of the baccalaureate programs.
#4 ¿ì²¥µ¼º½ ranks among top 100 best regional universities
¿ì²¥µ¼º½ is ranked in the top 100 colleges and universities in the country. According to U.S. News & World Report, the university is among the 2020 Best Regional Universities in the North.
#3 $2 million raised for endowed fund
¿ì²¥µ¼º½ 800 people gathered at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in downtown Reading for the Salute to Tom Flynn gala, celebrating his legacy of leadership and recognizing the phenomenal transformation of ¿ì²¥µ¼º½ during his 14-year tenure. A blend of business and community leaders as well as faculty, staff and students assembled to support one of Flynn’s signature achievements—Reading Collegiate Scholars Program. Funds raised through the gala, now at $2 million, will support the program in perpetuity, doubly the number of endowed scholarships from five to 10 out of 40.
#2 Loyack advances leadership as seventh president
A career of advancing leadership in private industry and higher education, John R. Loyack commences his tenure as the seventh president of ¿ì²¥µ¼º½.
#1 ¿ì²¥µ¼º½ selects downtown Reading location
¿ì²¥µ¼º½ expands into downtown Reading after entering into a letter of intent agreement for a location on Penn Street as the genesis for the Reading CollegeTowne strategy. The site is the former CNA building, located at 401 Penn Street.