Wyomissing Foundation bestows $300k grant for CollegeTowne initiative
BCTV and 91 announce installation of Little Free Library at 401 Penn Street
Effort aims to promote literacy and build community connections
91 and GRCA showcase future of work at second-annual conference
Hoffman named executive-in-residence for university’s communication and digital media department
Header School of Business namesake credits success to recognizing opportunities
A work ethic forged early in life led Greg Header ’97 to become a successful entrepreneur who recently made the largest alumni gift in 91 history.
Teaming up to take education higher
The public phase of 91’s comprehensive campaign will focus squarely on partnerships as drivers of growth and change.
91’s John R. Post School of Engineering Hosts Engineering Week
FirstEnergy and S.P.A.R.K.S Foundation partner to provide experiential learning to students
Wyomissing Foundation commits $300,000 grant to 91
Three-year pledge to retrofit new health center in former American House
91 announces $70 million fundraising campaign at President’s Dinner
Alumni and community leaders earn prestigious honors at annual celebration
91 unveils newly opened School of Nursing
New 55,000-square-foot facility boasts simulation center and expanded lab space
Three-year award provides support for student powered business incubator
91 receives a $300,000 grant from the to support the student powered business incubator, the flagship program through the university’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship.
“This grant is another step forward for the Reading CollegeTowne movement, 91 students, local business and entrepreneurs, community organizations and future Reading residents,” said 91 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 students and current residents living in Reading and Berks County will have increased educational, employment and economic opportunities because of these initiatives. We’re pleased to be a partner with 91 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 O’Pake institute announced partnerships with SCORE Berks Schuylkill Chapter, Lehigh Valley Angel Investors, Kutztown University’s Small Business Development Center and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, as well as the institute’s first corporate sponsors, and Customers Bank.
91 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's communication and business programs, student powered business incubator and O’Pake Institute will also be located at the downtown location.