CENTERVILLE | Marguerite Sharp's recipe for community service earned her the 2005 Diversity Award from the Penn State Alumni Association.
Sharp, a 1950 graduate and Centerville businesswoman, received the award at her alma mater on Nov. 4 for her active role in Dayton's alumni chapter and in the Dayton area.
"Through the years she has been a leader and inspiration to the Penn State Chapter, her church, Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA, PBS Channel 16 and other community organizations," said John Glaser, president of the Dayton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association.
The Dayton area has more than 500 Penn State alumni, with 80 of them active in the alumni organization, Glaser said.
The local association supports alumni and the Dayton area through service projects in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity and Dayton public television, social activities including weekly gatherings during the football season to root for Penn State's team, and recruitment efforts at local high schools.
Glaser presented Sharp with her award, a crystal Nittany Lion. The Nittany Lion is Penn State's mascot.
"It was quite an honor," Sharp said.
She moved to Kettering in 1964 with her husband, Lou, and opened the Culinary Company in Cross Pointe Center in Centerville in 1964.
In addition to serving in many capacities with her alma mater's alumni organization, Sharp is an active member of Christ United Methodist Church, the Dayton Women's Club and serves on the board of trustees of the Kettering YMCA.
Dayton Habitat for Humanity executive director Frank Gorman said in his letter of support that Sharp had left a measurable mark on his organization.
"Her specific efforts to coordinate Penn State Alumni in March of 2002 to finish interior painting for the DeVoise family home went a long way in helping to finish this home on schedule.
In addition, Sharp coordinated another group in March 2003 to finish interior trim for another project. And that was only for the Penn State group.
"We are extremely proud of Sharp," Glaser said.
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