The Penn State Alumni Association's Diversity Award
recognizes an individual who has significantly contributed to fostering
diversity at Penn State by sharing or volunteering his or her talent,
time, and resources on behalf of the University.
And for 2005, the Alumni Association accorded this prestigious award
to our own Marguerite Sharp!! Congratulations, Marguerite!
It's no wonder Marguerite was the hands-down winner. She was
cited for her support of the Alumni Association's mission in providing a
broad range of volunteer service to various community organizations and
her church. She was also cited for her commitment to community
service in the name of Penn State and her ongoing leadership role in
completing a variety of projects.
Let's take a look at the particulars.
Marguerite served as our chapter's National Service Week chairperson
from 1999 through 2003. In that capacity she organized and
coordinated each of our service projects, which included Habitat for
Humanity projects at Rustic Woods, Cornell Drive, Roosevelt Avenue in
Dayton residential neighborhoods, the Hills and Dales Community Park in
Oakwood, and at the Habitat for Humanity Work Center on South Patterson
Boulevard.
Our chapter by-laws state, among other things, that ". . . the
chapter shall work to establish a network of close fellowship and
cooperation among members of the Penn State family (alumni, parents of
students, friends, and fans) residing in the Dayton, Ohio area.
As everyone knows, our chapter conducts a number of programs and
activities every year in support of this objective. And you also
know that Marguerite's boundless enthusiasm and energy make any chapter
activity, program, or trip an event to remember. She is an active
member of our Board of Directors and, until recently, served as the
chapter's long-term secretary. She has also served as our
Membership Committee and been our historian. Very much a
"people person," Marguerite visits sick and hospitalized
chapter members, hosts chapter meetings and activities in her home, and
works as a Penn State volunteer at public television auctions and pledge
drives.
As indicated above, we should also note that Marguerite's exemplary
record of volunteerism extends well beyond her close association with
Penn State.
Marguerite is an active member of Christ United Methodist Church and
has served in numerous capacities there. She is a long-time United
Methodist Women's board member and has chaired many fundraisers in that
capacity. She is the leader for the Volunteer Service Group, which
raises over $20,000 each year for mission work at the local, national,
and international level. Marguerite is the chairperson of the church's
Board of Trustees. As a Building Committee participant, she was closely
involved in planning, fundraising, and construction oversight tasks
associated with adding a new wing to the church.
A member of the Kettering Pre-School Board, Marguerite also serves as
a Board of Trustees member for the Kettering YMCA. She has been an
active member of the Dayton Women's Club for many years. She and her
husband, Lou, own and operate a culinary supply company. She takes
advantage of this entrepreneurial activity to support such philanthropic
initiatives as donating items to public television auctions and
providing discounts for non-profit organizations.
We are extremely proud of Marguerite, her accomplishments, and the
recognition the Alumni Association has bestowed on her. She will
be honored during the Alumni Association Awards Banquet at Penn State on
November 4, 2005. |
