Penn State Altoona celebrated its donors and alumni at the Ivyside Society Induction Ceremony Thursday, September 13, 2018, at the Misciagna Center for Performing Arts. The Ivyside Society was established by the Penn State Altoona Advisory Board in 1987 to honor those who, through their philanthropic support and leadership, share a commitment to the continuing excellence of Penn State Altoona.
A total of 45 individuals, couples, and corporations were inducted into the Ivyside Society’s four giving categories: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Ivy Circle. Ivy Circle honors benefactors with cumulative giving to Penn State Altoona of $100,000 and greater. Membership in the Platinum category reflects cumulative giving of $50,000 or more. The Gold category reflects cumulative giving of $25,000 or more. Cumulative giving of $10,000 or more is recognized with membership in the Silver category.
The Distinguished Service Award and Outstanding Alumni Award were presented by Chancellor and Dean Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry.
Thomas J. “Tom” Koehle received the Distinguished Service Award for his years of dedication as a member of the college’s Advisory Board and Alumni Society Board of Directors. Koehle also chairs the Alumni Society’s Community for Kids Golf Tournament which raises money for the Center for Child Justice, Blair Country’s children’s advocacy center; Penn State Altoona Intercollegiate Athletics; and the Alumni Society scholarship program.
Koehle, a 2003 Penn State graduate, is area director for resource development for Presbyterian Senior Living. Previously, Koehle enjoyed a sixteen-year career as a golf professional and is heading into his thirteenth season as head coach of the Penn State Altoona men’s and women’s golf team. During his time at Penn State Altoona, he was a member of the newly reinstated NCAA Division III golf team. In addition to his coaching duties, Koehle serves as an announcer for Penn State Altoona men’s and women’s basketball during the live internet broadcasts of Lions’ and Lady Lions’ home games.
William G. “Bill” Wallen, a 1962 Penn State graduate, was honored with the Outstanding Alumni Award, presented to alumni of the college and Penn State alumni with a Penn State Altoona connection who have attained a significant level of accomplishment in their careers and/or contributed significantly to the betterment of society.
Wallen has served as the Executive Director of the Greater Altoona Jewish Federation for the last sixteen years. In this role, he represents the Jewish community through interfaith panels and speaking engagements and coordinates various Jewish cultural and educational programs, including the annual Jewish Film Festival and Holocaust speakers and events.
Wallen earned his master’s degree in 1965 from the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, and prior to his role with the Greater Altoona Jewish Federation, he had an extensive career in the field of human services, which included his role as an administrator director in the Mental Health Center of the then Altoona Hospital and other leadership positions for various human service agencies. Wallen taught several courses in social work and psychology at Penn State Altoona and served on the college’s Institutional Equity and Diversity Committee. He currently chairs the Msgr. Joseph M. Luddy Scholarship Board and the UPMC Altoona Partnership Board for a Healthy Community. He is the co-founder of the Interfaith Committee of the Ecumenical Conference of Blair County and of Big Brothers/Big Sisters and is the vice-chair of the UPMC Altoona Foundation for Life Board.