Donald DevorrisDonald Devorris, of Altoona, was honored with Penn State’s Distinguished Alumni Award in June 2015 at Penn State’s University Park campus. This award is the highest honor given by Penn State to alumni whose “personal lives, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the objectives of their alma mater.”
Chancellor and Dean Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry hosted a special event to celebrate the prestigious honor at Pegula Ice Arena at University Park in November. A surprise visit from the Nittany Lion and the Penn State Statesmen singing group helped create a wonderful and memorable evening.
Devorris has served on the Penn State Altoona Advisory Board for thirty years. In 2000, Devorris received the Alumni Fellow Award, the most prestigious award given by the Penn State Alumni Association. In addition, Devorris received Penn State Altoona’s Outstanding Alumni Award in 2010 for his significant professional achievements.
Devorris and his wife, Nancy, have been recognized for their philanthropic support with induction into the Laurel Circle of the University’s Mount Nittany Society as well as the Ivy Circle, the highest level of giving, of Penn State Altoona’s Ivyside Society. The couple’s two $1 million commitments rank among the largest in Penn State Altoona’s history.
Don and Nancy co-chaired Penn State Altoona’s first Renaissance Fund Dinner in 2005 honoring William J. Rossman which raised nearly $100,000. In 2015, the couple served again as co-chairs for the Renaissance Fund Dinner honoring Steve and Nancy Sheetz which raised over $615,000.
