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 - Reading Area Community College (RACC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Suzanne Wenderoth to its Board of Trustees. Dr. Wenderoth serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Tower Health and Reading Hospital, and Professor of Clinical Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine. She also serves the community as a practicing Board Certified Internal Medicine physician and medical student and resident educator in West Reading.

"The Reading Area Community College Board of Trustees continues to build a powerful board befitting the largest institution of higher education in Berks County," says RACC Board of Trustees Chair Gary Rightmire. "We are thrilled to bring on such influential leaders who will advocate for our college.”

Dr Wenderoth joined the Reading Hospital medical staff in 2012, after completing medical school at Cornell University College of Medicine followed by residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital and serving as Faculty in the Academic Internal Medicine Practice at Cornell. At Tower Health-Reading Hospital, she has held a number of leadership positions, including: CEO, Physician Enterprise and Chief Clinical Officer, Tower Health Medical Group, as well as Medical Director, Internal Medicine Residency Practice.

Dr Wenderoth is passionate about delivering high quality, patient centered care to the community, and preparing the next generation of students to join the ranks of health care.

READING PA - The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC) is proud to honor the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, a remarkable group of community college students who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated a commitment to their colleges and communities.

The 2024 awardees include two Reading Area Community College outstanding transfer scholars. Transfer students must have completed at least 36 credits at a community college and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher to be considered for these awards. Workforce students must have a minimum of 12 college-level credit hours at a community college and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

The two Reading Area Community College scholarship winners are Ms. Anisa Reinstrom and Ms.Yessenia Rivera.

Anisa Reinstrom is majoring in Business Administration Transfer and her career goal is to be in a management position. She is the Treasurer of our Phi Theta Kappa Chapter, involved with the Advantage Program and is a work study student in Career Services. Anisa is a volunteer with the Adopt-a-Block program both on campus and in her neighborhood. She is also on both the President’s and the Dean’s List. Anisa will be transferring to Kutztown University to complete her Bachelor’s in Business Administration.

Yessenia Rivera is majoring in Social Work and her career goal is to earn her Master’s degree in Social Work and facilitate Women’s Empowerment programs. Yessenia is the Vice President for our Phi Theta Kappa Chapter and involved with the Advantage Program. Yessenia spearheaded this year’s College Project, Educational Curiosity, a program in which RACC’s President, staff and PTK members shared their educational journeys with residents at Opportunity House in order to introduce them to the possibilities of continued education. She is also on both the President’s and the Dean’s List. Yessenia will be transferring to Kutztown University to complete her Bachelors of Social Work.

“We at Reading Area Community College applaud these outstanding student scholars on their terrific academic achievements,” says Dr. Susan D. Looney, president of Reading Area Community College. “By enrolling in high-quality educational programs, these students are building a foundation for a successful career while furthering their postsecondary study.”

Pennsylvania’s community colleges partner with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities to provide scholarships to eligible All-PA Transfer Team members at PASSHE institutions, providing two years of tuition at any PASSHE school.

Students nominated to the national All-USA Community College Academic Team are automatically named to the All-State Community College Academic Teams. The programs share common eligibility criteria, which includes enrollment at a community college, a minimum 3.5 grade point average, completion of a minimum of 36 college-level credits and being on track to receive an associate or bachelor’s degree.