With great sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Gust Zogas, age 93, on August 25th, 2024. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Doris (PasYotis) on the same day eight years prior. They were fortunate to share 60 wonderful years together. Born in Reading, PA to Greek immigrants, Harry and Maria (Kypriotis) Zogas, Gust grew up in a small row home in Northeast Reading. After graduating from Reading High School he served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. Upon his return home, he met and married Doris and started his higher education journey. Although self-described as not book smart, he obtained a PhD in Education. He frequently advised his children and grandchildren that hard work leads to success. He was very proud they all went on to pursue college degrees. Gust wore many hats in the field of education: Geography teacher, Guidance counselor, Vice Principal, Director of Night School at Reading Area School District, Dean of Students and most notably, President for 17 years at Reading Area Community College, restructuring and growing the college immensely. After retirement, he obtained the title of President Emeritus, and joined the foundation for RACC serving as Executive Director. In 2023, he was awarded the distinguished Rolf D. Schmidt Honorary Director award. He came out of retirement to serve as Executive Director of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, an organization he was passionate about. He cared deeply about his home town and served on various boards throughout his career. Gust was active in his church, Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, PA. He served on the board for a time, and volunteered for many years at the annual Church Food Bazaar. Gust and Doris were world travelers, instilling the love for adventure in their children and grandchildren. However, their true love was the sun and sand of Stone Harbor, NJ and Sanibel, FL, where most of their time was spent. Many fond memories were created hosting family and friends. He was proud to share what he had with those he loved. He immensely enjoyed when family and friends would come by for a glass of wine and conversation. Although a dedicated educator, administrator, visionary and friend, "Dad" and "Popou" are the two titles for which he will be most remembered. He is survived by his children, son Thomas, husband of Linda (Sweger) Zogas, Lower Heidelberg Township, daughter Chrissada, wife of Kevin Caruso, Wyomissing, and daughter Elaynee, wife of Blaise Polentes, Bethlehem. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Elise, Chloe, Alexander, Brian, Jack and Natasha, who will miss him very much. Also surviving are his brother Christ, widower of Irene (Maronic), Roanoke, VA, and Theodore, husband of Sylvia (Zielinski), Reading. He was predeceased by his brother Peter, and sister-in-law Clarise (Crocona) Zogas. Gust also was predeceased by his half-sisters Effie (Pasko) Stevens and Elizabeth (Pasko) Rogers. Services will take place on Friday, August 30, 2024 at in Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 1001 E. Wyomissing Blvd., Reading PA 19611. Viewing 10am, Funeral Service 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Reading Area Community College Foundation or the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. RACC: https://form.jotform.com/63195864544163 Click on the "Other" Box and specify either the "Zogas RHS to RACC Scholarship" or "The Gust & Doris Zogas Education Scholarship" A gift can be sent through the mail to – Foundation for RACC, Reading Area Community College 10 South 2nd Street, Box 1706, Reading, PA 19603 GoggleWorks Center for the Arts https://goggleworks.org/support/donate/ Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc. West Reading is honored to assist the Zogas family. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.

READING PA - The Neag Foundation has made a seven-figure gift to officially name the Carole Neag Nursing Center at the Weitz Healthcare Pavilion on the Reading Area Community College (RACC) campus. “Carole was passionate about the nursing field, having worked as both a maternity and emergency room nurse for thirty years. The Neag Foundation is thrilled that the Carole Neag Nursing Center will be the home of RACC nursing students who are following in her footsteps and providing compassionate healthcare services to a community that she loved,” says Neag Foundation Board Chair, Sally Renzulli.

Funding from the Neag Foundation will be directed to state-of-the art equipment within the facility, including mannequins that simulate nursing situations, intensive care simulations, and a maternity suite mannequin that replicates human birth.

“We are honored that the Neag Foundation would allow us to properly recognize one of the most important benefactors in the college’s history, Carole Neag, in our nursing center where hundreds of Berks County nursing students will be trained. Carole recognized that the vast majority of RACC nursing students stay here in Berks County upon graduation. She understood that our RACC students will be the healthcare providers caring for patients in our region for generations to come,” says Executive Director of the Foundation for RACC Anthony DeMarco.

 “Carole loved our nursing students. On her last visit to campus Carole joined a group of nursing students studying for their state licensing tests. She joined the students in answering questions that would be on the test. Remarkably, Carole knew each answer. There was a powerful moment of intergenerational connectivity between Carole and the students that speaks to the special vocation of nursing,” says RACC President Dr. Susan Looney.

The NEAG Foundation supports education, healthcare, and the arts through Ray and Carol Neag’s visionary philanthropy. Reading Among their many educational and charitable donations, they are well-known in Berks County for their contributions to Carole Neag Nursing Scholarship Program at RACC and the Neag Planetarium at the Reading Museum and the Ray and Carole Neag Medical Center at the Caron Treatment Center.

READING PA - Reading Area Community College celebrated their largest graduating class in almost a decade, as over 500 students earned their degree or certificate during a ceremony on Friday, May 3 at Santander Arena in Reading.

“It is always a privilege and a joy to see so many graduates persevere and take this step toward great success in the years ahead,” said RACC President Dr. Susan Looney. “Our students and graduates continue to inspire me every day, and will continue to make the RACC family of faculty, staff, students and alumni very proud.”

The student speaker at the ceremony was Mara Nagle. Mara was selected for a Presidential Scholarship in 2022, and was chosen as the Sonia Briskin Honors Scholar in 2024. She will be continuing her education at Albright College to purse her Bachelor’s in Arts Administration and Business Administration.

Also during the ceremony, Looney presented RACC’s President’s Award to Dr. Jerry Marcus. Dr, Marcus has been a vital long-time supporter of Reading Area Community College, serving on the Foundation for RACC. In addition, he has served for many years as the Medical Director for the medical laboratory program, providing leadership and mentorship for aspiring health care professionals in this critical area. He also played a key role in modernizing and updating laboratory facilities at RACC, endowing chemistry and physics lab spaces. Most recently, Jerry donated funds to begin a program to help provide food for students in need, which led to RACC’s food pantry.

READING PA - May, 2024 – Kristin Fitzcharles, a senior at Daniel Boone Area High School, graduated from Reading Area Community College (RACC) with an Integrative Studies Associate of Arts degree on May 3, a few weeks before she will also graduate from high school. Kristin combined RACC dual enrollment classes she took during her freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years at Daniel Boone Area High School with RACC’s online courses to complete the 60-credit degree this May. She plans to continue her education at a yet undecided university to earn a Bachelor's in Applied Mathematics degree. She then intends to become an actuary by taking the actuarial exams.

While jointly attaining a high school diploma and a college associate degree would seem like an overwhelming workload, Kristin also found time for activities outside of academics. She is a member of the Spanish Club, Varsity Club, Future Business Leaders of America and the Ecology Club. She has earned six varsity letters in athletics, was captain of two varsity teams, and is an AP Scholar. Kristin volunteers her time as a volleyball coach, Berks County Subaru Enthusiasts, Ageless Harmony Adult Day Care and has volunteered almost 300 hours to benefit animal causes. She is also an avid hiker, bowler and volleyball player. Kristin also manages to serve as a caterer at Mission BBQ, and a cook at Maple Grove Concessions.

“The dual enrollment program at RACC has been a great way for me to get a head start on my four-year college degree, and also get me closer to a career as an actuary. Balancing the academic requirements of my diploma and associate degree, as well as my activities outside of school has really helped me develop the time management skills I will need in my career,” Kristin says.

RACC dual enrollment students concurrently complete their requirements for high school graduation at the same time they earn college credit. Students register for dual enrollment courses provided they meet the high school’s guidelines for dual enrollment and course prerequisites. 

To learn more about the dual enrollment program at RACC, contact Director of Academic Partnerships, Kristen Marcinko, at 610.372.4721 ext. 5127.

READING PA - On Thursday, April 18, The Miller Center for the Arts on the Reading Area Community College (RACC) campus hosted a Moot Supreme Court, which was conducted by the Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement in partnership with the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. In a Moot Supreme Court, participants take part in simulated Supreme Court argument.
 
Approximately 175 RACC and Berks County high school students from Antietam Middle/Senior High School, Conrad Weiser High School, Exeter High School, Kutztown Area High School, Tulpehocken High School and Wilson High School participated in the event. 

Nine lawyers from the Berks Bar Association assisted, in addition to one lawyer from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. The event organizer, RACC Associate Professor of History and Political Science Jodi Greene said, “Civic education is an indispensable part of a student's education. We need our youth to become engaged, informed citizens and to become leaders in their communities. We are thrilled to partner with the Rendell Center to bring these opportunities to Berks County students and look forward to many more partnerships with them."

Judge Marjorie Rendell of the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals presided over the moot court. Attorneys from the Berks County Bar Association worked with students to prepare oral arguments for the case. Eight students joined Judge Rendell to serve as the Supreme Court, which heard arguments about First Circuit Court of Appeals case that deals with bullying and social media.

RACC President Dr. Susan Looney added, “Reading Area Community College is so honored that the Rendell Center has selected our campus and our students in addition to all the wonderful political science students at many of our Berks County High Schools. Having Judge Rendell visit RACC to preside over the moot court is truly a historic occasion for our campus.”    

“We are delighted to partner with RACC on this exciting exercise for students,” says Judge Marjorie Rendell. “Through activities such as this, the Rendell Center and the Annenberg Public Policy Center hopes to empower young people to be informed, engaged citizens as well as provide a better understanding of the Constitution and our judiciary.”