Donor Impact & Recognition

Dusty Putnam '72

Donor & Member of the Board of Trustees

“Etown has always been a super special place for me. I was an Army brat. I traveled the world and attended 13 different schools. At Etown, for the first time in my life, I was the same as everyone else. I was embraced and accepted. So when the College came to us, we weighed where we could make the biggest difference.”

Dusty made a gift to the College in 2018 to support the creation of a 180-meter indoor track in the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-Being. The Putnam Track serves as a practice space for Etown student-athletes and a recreational area for all members of the Elizabethtown College campus community. Dusty graduated from Elizabethtown College with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She is a current member of the College’s Board of Trustees.

Valerie Eichorn '00

Creator of the 'Unlocking Your Potential Scholarship'

“It is so gratifying to see firsthand how your contributions are being leveraged to help students have the best educational experience possible. The name of my scholarship, ‘Unlocking Your Potential,’ embodies my purpose. It’s about helping others know they are loved, they are worthy, and they are strong.”

Valerie realized her vision of helping students push themselves beyond what they themselves perceive they are capable of through the creation of the "Unlocking Your Potential Scholarship," which benefits a student who comes from a single-parent home. Valerie earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications from Elizabethtown College. During her time at Etown, she lost her father to suicide and credits the College for supporting her through the hardest time in her life. This is what inspired her to create the “Unlocking Your Potential Scholarship.”

Peter '12 & Shelley Hobbs P'28

Etown’s First Impact Scholarship Donors

“Our reason for giving to impact scholarships was about a belief in community and shared purpose. As we give to each other through gifts, acts of service, and sharing our stories, we are investing in the success of people. As an SGPS alumnus, and a first-generation college graduate, I'm grateful for those at Etown who fanned the flame of perseverance for me. That gratitude is a great feeling, and the impact scholarship is a way of extending that gratitude and an inspiration to others. Please join us in building up the Blue Jay family.”

Clark Associates

Creator of the Clark Associates Scholarship

“Clark Associates has had a great relationship with Elizabethtown College for many years and appreciates the opportunity to provide scholarships to Etown students. Clark Associates currently employs 59 Etown alumni, and they are competent, driven employees who are well prepared to succeed in the corporate world. It is a no-brainer for us as a company to support Etown students in their educational efforts. We very much value our partnership with Elizabethtown College.”

Greg ’91 and Sheri Kemper ’90 Donecker

Creators of The Greg ’91 and Sheri Kemper ’90 Donecker Business Scholarship

“Elizabethtown College not only gave us a valuable education and experiences that contributed to our success over the years, but also lifetime memories and friendships. Having both benefited from Etown scholarships while attending, we wanted to make sure that other students have the same opportunities.”

Greg and Sheri are graduates of the School of Business with concentrations in Accounting, Finance, Management, and Marketing and both benefitted from internship opportunities. They credit the excellent foundation in business education that they received at Etown with providing the necessary skills to manage and grow their family business.

Michael J. Lorelli ’88

Creator of The Michael J. Lorelli ’88 Scholarship

“My years at Etown instilled in me a desire to give back to the community in a variety of capacities. By establishing a scholarship, I hope to provide others with the same life-changing experience that an Etown education provided to me.”

Mike is a current member of the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees, and served on the College’s Leadership Council for seven years. Through his involvement with Etown over the past decade, he learned that providing funds for scholarships was where he could best help the College continue its mission to “Educate for Service” and remain viable in the very competitive landscape of higher education. Mike, who graduated with a degree in Business Management and Marketing, created the scholarship to provide students of all majors with the same life-changing experiences that he had at Etown.

Barbara ’64 and John Seidler

The Barbara ’64 and John Seidler Scholarship

“Sixty-five years ago, as a graduating high school senior, I was overwhelmed to be awarded a scholarship to attend Elizabethtown College. Now, it is my privilege to fulfill another dream by being one of many willing to provide a scholarship that will open the doors of opportunity to tomorrow’s leaders.”

Barbara never forgot how a donor’s generosity set her on a path to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher, and that was key to her and her husband’s commitment to creating a need-based scholarship that will enable current and future Etown students to prosper and succeed.

Rebecca S. Walck ’04

Creator of The Rebecca S. Walck ’04 Accounting Scholarship

“When I chose to attend Elizabethtown College, I was able to make the decision based on the merits of the school and the high quality of the Accounting program. Because of the assistance I received via scholarships, cost did not have an outsized impact on my decision. By creating a scholarship, I’m able to join the many donors who help make Etown affordable for all students.”

An Accounting major, Becky takes great pride in Etown’s program and is excited for the opportunity to support students majoring in Accounting, a profession that is currently facing a labor shortage. Etown not only provided Becky with an excellent education, but it also helped her develop lifelong friendships and a strong sense of community. She continues to serve the College as a member of the Alumni Council’s Executive Committee and the Accounting Advisory Committee.

Beth Bowers ’79

Creator of The Beth Bowers ’79 Scholarship

“There are various ways to give back to the College, but this scholarship allowed me to go beyond just supporting the Annual Fund and other giving opportunities. It felt like a more personal connection where I can make a difference for students who share my interest in physical activity, nutrition, and athletics.”

Beth was the first donor to capitalize on Elizabethtown College’s Million Dollar Match initiative, the most significant fundraising match in Etown’s history. Through this initiative, Beth was inspired to create the Beth Bowers ’79 Scholarship, which will benefit students who are majoring in Exercise Science. As a student at Etown, Beth majored in Business Administration and was a member of the varsity field hockey and softball teams. Athletics were very important to her from an early age, and her Etown experience was defined by the close relationships she built with her teammates and coaches.