The Ellen Frei Gruber Award is presented to an individual who has given outstanding service to his/her alma mater and exemplified continued commitment and support of the mission of ÂÜÀòÔ­´´. Most importantly, this individual reflects the values of service, humility, peacemaking, contemplation and collegiality. The following ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ alumni received the award from 1983 through 1989. All biographical information current at the time of the award.

1983

Mary Ann D’Alonzo

Mary Ann D’Alonzo

Degrees:

  • B.A. Elementary Education/English '69


Bio:

  • Homemaker
  • Religious Education Teacher, 4th grade, Saint Catherine of Siena
  • Past Volunteer, Homeroom Mother, Exeter School District
  • Past Member, Executive Board, Assoc. of Parents and Teachers
  • Past Member, Board of Directors, St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing
  • Past Volunteer, Girl Scouts of America
  • Community Advocate, Exeter Township
  • ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ College, Past:
  • Admissions Counselor
  • Consultant, Alumni Association
  • Officer, Alumni Association
  • Director of Class Agents 

1984

Sister Rosemary Stets. OSF

Sister Rosemary Stets. OSF

Degrees:

  • B.A. English/Secondary Education '71
  • M.A. English, Indiana State University 1978
  • M.A. Religion, Fordham University 1995


Bio:

  • Associate and Vocation Director, Bernardine Franciscan Sisters
  • Adjunct Faculty, ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ College
  • Provincial Secretary, Bernardine Sisters Sacred Heart Province, 1985-1993
  • Associate Professor of English and Communications, ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ College, 1973-1985
  • Faculty Advisor, ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ College Yearbook, Newspaper, Literary Magazine
  • Former Board Member, Sacred Heart Medical Center, Chester, PA
  • Co-Chair, Bernardine Franciscan Centennial Celebration in Scared Heart Province, 1993
  • Past Member, Alumni Executive Board

1985

Michael J. Skoraszewski

Michael J. Skoraszewski

Degrees:

  • B.A. Psychology '78
  • M.A. Clinical Psychology, Farleigh Dickinson University
  • Psy. D Clinical Psychology, Va. Consortium for Professional Psychology


Bio:

  • The Community Service Board of Virginia Beach, Virginia Private Practice
  • Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor specializing in the sexual disorders, and AIDS.
  • Published research in the area of neuropsychological complications of HIV.
  • Lectured extensively on the psychological aspects of HIV and AIDS.
  • Recognized as an expert witness and psychotherapist in the area of sexual abuse perpetration.
  • Provides clinical training to doctorate level students in Clinical Psychology.

1986

Joseph J. Swope

Joseph J. Swope

Degrees:

  • B.A. Communications, magna cum laude '80
  • MA Journalism, Temple University 1982
  • Doctoral Studies, Temple University 1992


Bio:

  • Manager of Media Relations and Special Projects for UGI Utilities, Inc., one of the largest natural gas utilities in Pennsylvania and part of an international Fortune 500 energy company.
  • Author who has had five books published by Black Rose Writing.
  • Board Member, Berks County Chapter, American Diabetes Association
  • Big Brothers/Big Sisters Community Day Bowler
  • Member, Easter Seals Office Olympics
  • Member, The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education
  • Member, The College and University Public Relations Association of Pennsylvania
  • Past, Director of Public Relations and Instructor in Communication, ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ College
  • Media Committee, Committee of Elect Ludgate Judge, 1989
  • Presenter, student Careers Fair, Muhlenberg High School
  • BCTV Scenic River Days Committee
  • Celebrity Waiter for Leukemia Dinner
  • United Way Employee Communications Committee
  • American Heart Association Communications Committee
  • Allentown Diocese Newspaper Advisory Committee

1987

Honorable Linda K.M. Ludgate

Honorable Linda K.M. Ludgate

Degrees:

  • B.A. Criminal Justice/Social Work, magna cum laude '77
  • Juris Doctor, Temple University School of Law 1980


Bio:

  • Working for the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts since 2016 sitting in various counties that need the Services of an out-of-county judge. 
  • State Judgeship, Elected Court of Common Pleas of Berks County
  • Presides over all types of criminal matters, including misdemeanors, felonies, and homicides
  • Recipient, 1993 Golden Crowbar Award from Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges
  • Phi Alpha Delta Law Society
  • Initiated Victims’ Impact Panel for Drunk Driving Offenders
  • ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ College:
    • Board of Trustees
    • Board of Directors 1982-1992
    • Membership Committee
    • Government Affairs Committee
    • Chair, By-Laws Committee
    • Secretary of the Board
  • People Against Rape now known as the Center for Victim’s Assistance, Steering Committee and Trained Counselor
  • Central Pennsylvania Legal Services, Board of Directors
  • Founding Member, Berks Women Network
  • Member, Berks County Prison Society
  • Member, Reading-Berks AIDS/HIV Consortium
  • Women in Crisis Center for Battered Women and Children
  • Berks County YWCA Trendsetter Award 1990

1988

Christine Dracopolos Carpenter

Christine Dracopolos Carpenter

Degrees:

  • B.A. History '76
  • AA Liberal Arts, Reading Area Community College


Bio:

  • Leader Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
  • Human Resource Director
  • Past President, ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ College Alumni Association
  • Past Director, Alumni Affairs, ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ College
  • Past President, Alumni Council RACC
  • Past Board President, Berks Ballet Theater
  • Member, Berks Women in Crisis
  • Volunteer, United Way
  • Lifetime Member, Harley Owners Group
  • Sigma Tau Delta, ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ College
  • Member, Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Foundation

1989

Alice Jean Bleacher

Alice Jean Bleacher

Degrees:

  • Associate Degree, Banking and Finance '83


Bio:

  • National Penn Bank, Assistant Vice President
  • Permanent Commercial Mortgage Lender for non-owner occupied properties
  • Graduate, Bucknell School of Banking
  • AIB Certificates General, Basic, Standard
  • Past Member, Berks County American Institute of Banking President 1987, 1988
  • Past Member, Leadership Berks President 1993-94
  • Member, United Way Allocation Committee
  • Member, Berks Visitors Marketing Committee
  • Member, Berks County Chamber of Commerce
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Ellen Frei Gruber Award