READING, PA – Tompkins Community Bank has announced a $15,000 contribution to the Foundation at Reading Area Community College through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, reinforcing the bank’s ongoing commitment to expanding educational opportunity for students across Berks County.

The gift will support Reading Area Community College’s Dual Enrollment program, which enables high school students to earn college credits while still completing their secondary education, significantly reducing the cost and time required to earn a college degree.

A check presentation ceremony was held at the Tompkins corporate office and included Tompkins Pennsylvania President Ginger Kunkel, Reading Area Community College President Dr. Susan Looney, Tompkins Senior Vice President Peter Rowley, Tony DeMarco, Vice President and Executive Director of the Foundation for RACC, Tompkins Vice President Amy Vaughan, and Jake Horay, Manager of Donor Relations at the Foundation for RACC.

Dr. Susan Looney, President of Reading Area Community College, praised Tompkins Community Bank for its continued investment in students and families across the region.

“Through the annual EITC contributions provided by Tompkins Community Bank to the Foundation for RACC, hundreds of ambitious students have had the opportunity to begin their college education while still in high school,” said Dr. Looney. “These students and their families have collectively saved tens of thousands of dollars in future college costs because of Tompkins’ generosity and commitment to expanding access to higher education.”

Tompkins Pennsylvania President Ginger Kunkel emphasized the natural partnership between the community bank and the region’s community college.

Tony DeMarco, Vice President of RACC and Executive Director of the Foundation for RACC, noted that programs supported by the EITC initiative continue to make a meaningful difference for local families.

“We hope other business leaders will follow the example set by Tompkins Community Bank by supporting the RACC EITC Dual Enrollment program,” said DeMarco. “For many families, the cost of higher education remains one of the greatest barriers to opportunity. EITC contributions allow high school students to earn affordable college credits and create a more accessible pathway to a college degree.”

David Hessen
Director of Marketing & Communications
Reading Area Community College
610.607.6212
dhessen@racc.edu