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For information on submitting an obituary, please contact Reading Eagle by phone at 610-371-5018, or email at obituaries@readingeagle.com or fax at 610-371-5193. Most obituaries published in the Reading Eagle are submitted through funeral homes and cremation services, but we will accept submissions from families. Obituaries can be emailed to obituaries@readingeagle.com. In addition to the text of the obituary, any photographs that you wish to include can be attached to this email. Please put the text of the obituary in a Word document, a Google document or in the body of the email. The Reading Eagle also requires a way to verify the death, so please include either the phone number of the funeral home or cremation service that is in charge of the deceased's care or a photo of his/her death certificate. We also request that your full name, phone number and address are all included in this email. All payments by families must be made with a credit card. We will send a proof of the completed obituary before we require payment. The obituary cannot run, however, until we receive payment in full. Obituaries can be submitted for any future date, but they must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. the day prior to its running for it to be published. Please call the obituary desk, at 610-371-5018, for information on pricing. Alvernia University celebrated the latest milestone of its largest-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign and honored alumni and community leaders during its annual President’s Dinner. “Five years ago, we set an ambitious goal to raise $45 million for the Partners in Progress Campaign,” Dr. Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Alvernia president, said in a release. “In order to meet the needs of our students and the community we raised the goal to $70 million. “We celebrate surpassing that goal currently at $71.5 million and counting. More important than that total are the lives behind it: first-generation learners who persist, health care practitioners and engineers trained for real workplaces, families served in our city, and alumni who turn gratitude into action.” Fitzgerald, during the event at DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, also shared how the university is addressing the headwinds facing higher education with focuses on experiential learning and community engagement, while exploring the next phase of growth with the American House at Reading CollegeTowne. “Our needs keep changing, our challenges are complex and immediate, and the opportunities are real,” she said. “We ask that you continue your investment in the American House and downtown Reading. With your partnership, we will keep saying yes to students whose talent deserves a chance and to neighbors whose dignity deserves our best.” The university is turning the former American House into a state-of-the-art community-based health center in downtown Reading. The center, in partnership with Berks Community Health Center, will provide health care to Reading’s underserved populations and experiential learning opportunities for Alvernia students, officials have said. The former American House at Fourth and Penn streets is across the street from Alvernia’s Reading CollegeTowne campus. Officials have said the renovation project will cost $17 million. The university bestowed five awards on alumni, a community organization and community leaders: • The CollegeTowne Award was presented to the Wyomissing Foundation for its community service and contributions to a higher standard of living for the Reading community. Officials said the foundation has been a steadfast Alvernia partner since 1985, investing in student-centered initiatives and key capital projects such as the Student Center, Francis Hall renovations and the Tom and Helen Flynn Plex. The foundation has also advanced the Reading Collegiate Scholars Program, supported the O’Pake Institute, and most recently helped launch Alvernia’s partnership at the American House at Reading CollegeTowne with Berks Community Health Center and Total Experience Learning. • The Franciscan Award was present to Kevin and Kim Murphy. The award is presented to a person or couple who selflessly gives time, talent and resources for the betterment of others and for exceptional service to Alvernia. Kevin Murphy, founding president of the Berks County Community Foundation, grew the organization from a bold idea into a cornerstone of regional philanthropy that connects donors with causes, supports nonprofits and shapes initiatives that improve life in Berks, officials said. His leadership extends nationally and internationally through service on boards, advisory roles and a transcontinental fellowship focused on strengthening philanthropic organizations. Kim Murphy, president of Berks Nature since 2004, has led the protection of more than 7,600 acres of land, created nine community gardens, and inspired families through trails, green spaces and programs that connect people to the outdoors. She led the development of The Nature Place and the innovative Berks Nature Preschool, where children learn and explore primarily outdoors. • The Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to LeeAnn Smulligan, a 2009 MBA graduate, for outstanding contributions to her profession and community. Over more than two decades with Mrs. T’s Pierogies, officials said, Smulligan has risen from marketing assistant to chief operating officer, leading innovation, operational excellence, and brand growth for one of the nation’s most beloved family-owned food companies. She also serves as secretary of the board for Helping Harvest, chairs the NFRA Promotions Committee, and mentors future female executives. Her industry leadership was recognized with the 2024 FoRWARD Award. • The Ellen Frei Gruber Award was presented to Christopher deGruchy, a 1993 graduate and 2005 MBA graduate, for embodying the values of service, humility, peacemaking, contemplation and collegiality. Officials said deGruchy began his education while serving in the Army, taking classes wherever he was stationed, then balanced full-time work and family while completing his Alvernia degree through evening study before returning a decade later to earn his MBA. His career progressed through finance and operations to principal and general manager of Cast Rite Metals in Birdsboro, where he leads a values-driven enterprise that serves the regional industry. Through the deGruchy Charitable Fund, the couple supports education, health and character development across organizations such as Alvernia’s Reading Collegiate Scholars Program, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, John Paul II Center for Special Learning, Helping Harvest and Berks Nature. • Officials awarded its sixth class of 4 Under 40 Awards to Alexandria Crouthamel, a 2015 graduate and owner of Crouthamel Law Offices; Ashley Mikulsky, a 2015 MBA graduate and CEO of the Animal Rescue League of Berks County; Brett Sneeringer, a 2009 graduate and Reading police captain; and Gabriella Valenti, a 2015 graduate and associate producer at Fox News Media.
