Founder’s Day, a day to honor the legacy of Isaiah V. Williamson and celebrate what would have been his 221st birthday, featured a keynote address by trustee Heather Hassel-Finnegan, the bestowing of the board of trustee’s Isaiah V. Williamson Award and the C.W. Schrenk 4W9 Young Alumnus Award, and the Sons of the American Revolution’s William J. Yearsley 4W1 Award.
Hassel-Finnegan, speaking to the students in the Clara Schrenk Memorial Chapel on Feb. 8th, said quiet leadership is measured by consistent and purposeful action. “Our founder was a quiet leader. All along he had been giving generously, though usually anonymously, to the poor, the old, the sick. And, as you all know, his final gift was this trade school, a place where those who may not have been born into opportunity are given the tools they need to succeed.
“I know the 1880s seem like a long time ago, but the truth is our society has not changed that much. Society still tries to measure success by wealth, influence, and power. True success lies in doing the right thing for your family, your friends, your neighbors, your community, and the people who are going to be here long after you are gone.
“There are many ways to be a leader and as a leader what you do for others will be far more important than your professional success. Don’t think about your salary, instead think about the vibe you want to put out into the world.”
At this point, Hassel-Finnegan pointed out to the students that there is a paper in their program booklet listing some of the character traits of leaders. “I want you to think of what word you want those in your life to describe you by. The challenge is to pick just three. You need to be true to your own leadership style and to use that style as effectively as possible to uplift the people around you. We can’t wait to see you become those things. I see a very bright future when you become successful and I have full confidence you will. Please remember to look out for your family, your friends, your neighbors, your community, and those who come long after you are dead and gone.”
She went on to say that it is a fallacy that anyone can achieve success through hard work because there are many injustices that exist, among them prejudice and racism. “In my work at The Community’s Foundation I see volunteers and donors who rise to the occasion. Who recognize that we can do better and not leave so many people behind. Be like those people. Be like Isaiah Williamson. As you become leaders look around and notice those who are lacking in opportunity and resources and take them under your wing. Put opportunities and resources in front of them and encourage them. We rise by lifting others.”
She then said that the responsibility of the board of trustees is to put the right opportunities in front of students so they can succeed. She noted that there was a second sheet of paper in the students’ program booklet with index cards to be used for the students to write down ideas that will help the trustees do better. “I can promise to be a quiet leader advocating on your behalf.”
At the conclusion of her remarks, President Michael Rounds gave her a commemorative wooden box with a picture of Rowan Hall on it.
In his introduction of Hassel-Finnegan, Rounds said she is not a stranger to Williamson even though she did not attend the school as a student. Her father is Brian Hassel Sr. 7W6, her brother is Brian Hassel Jr. 0W1, she has a cousin from the Class of 0W4, and she has many friends who are Williamson alumni in her personal and professional life.
He said, “Heather joined Williamson’s board last year, becoming the first female trustee and we certainly made a good choice. She has been a great addition to the board. She was chosen because she was the best and most experienced candidate available from a field of very talented prospective candidates. She brought with her extensive experience in vital areas such as governance, facilities maintenance, compliance, and operational/fiscal oversight to mention just a few.”
Heather is the president and CEO of The Community’s Foundation also known as TCF. Located in Springfield, Pa., TCF is committed to enhancing and improving the quality of life in the community by awarding grants to local nonprofits, awarding scholarships to promising students, and connecting individuals who care with causes that matter.
Her many service and leadership roles include being a founding member of the City of Chester Giving Circle and Project W Women’s Giving Circle. Earlier, she served on the advisory council of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, Swarthmore College’s Biology and Engineering Project Committee, the president and webmaster of the Behavioral Ecology Group, and an administrative fellow at the Turkana Basin Institute.
She earned a bachelor of science degree, magna cum laude, in biology and anthropology at Juniata College, where she received a Leadership Award and was a Von Liebig Undergraduate Research Fellow, and a master’s degree in anthropological science, magna cum laude, at SUNY Stony Brook, where she was a graduate fellow.
In his remarks, Rounds said “Founder’s Day is a great tradition in which to thank Mr. Williamson for his vision and founding of a school that can do all the things it has done through the years. Look at the legacy he left, it’s generosity and the transformation of men to go out and make the world a better place. We gather here tonight to remember and to say thank you to him.”
In her welcoming remarks, Dr. Michelle Williams, vice president of academic affairs and CAO, said “I’m honored to be here as we honor the life and legacy of our great founder, Isaiah Vansant Williamson. This institution has long been honoring the intentions and vision of Mr. Williamson by ensuring that all of our students have the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to be successful. Each and every day, members of the Williamson community continue to honor the intentions of our great founder.”
Next came the presentation of the Sons of the American Revolution’s (SAR) William J. Yearsley 4W1 Outstanding Citizenship Award by Steve Kopsick, president of the Philadelphia-Continental Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, to Jack Gommer, a landscape construction and management junior. With Kopsick were Larry Magdy, first vice president, Steve Cassel, second vice president, and Frank O’Donnell, past president/secretary. [Kopsick and Magdy were both dressed in colonial military uniforms.]
This award is presented to a junior who has shown outstanding citizenship and the qualities of industry, self-discipline, personal integrity, reliability, and contributions above the call of duty. He also must have a GPA of 3.25 or higher and have fewer than 28 disciplinary points.
In his student tribute, senior class president Joshua Gindle, said “It is an honor to pay tribute to our founder Isaiah V. Williamson. His vision was to build young men of character to be successful, well-rounded young men. His vision is lived out each day by we the students, the recipients of his generosity. I’m sure Mr. Williamson would be proud of what this institution has become. We are all very thankful to Isaiah Williamson for giving us the opportunity to become Williamson men.”
In his alumni tribute, Chris Moran 9W9, president of the Williamson Association of Alumni (WAA), said “Williamson is a special and unique place. It’s one of a kind. For over 134 years, with the core values, Williamson has been preparing young men to be successful in their careers and to be active and engaged in their community, all while stressing the importance of helping one another.
“We are all part of the Williamson team and for that we have one man – Isaiah Williamson, to thank and extend our gratitude.”
Moran then explained what the newly formed WAA is all about. “Our mission is to advance the mission of the college and enrich the lives of the students and fellow alumni. As a student, the relations we form are timeless. As alumni, the relations continue to grow. The WAA is a tool that every student should have in his tool box. Having the right tool is essential to getting the job done. There is an external network of alumni who thrive on mentoring and building relationships with students. After you graduate, we welcome and encourage you to participate with the WAA and continue to give back the gift of Williamson that so many of us have received.”
William Bonenberger 7W9, board chairman, said “Just think of the literally thousands of lives Mr. Williamson has effected in a positive way since that very special day back in 1888 when he signed the deed of trust creating Williamson College of the Trades, then known as the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades. You don’t have to be a Williamson alumnus to be effected in a positive way by Mr. Williamson’s mission. Williamson’s alumni have effected many people by living out the school’s core values over the last 136 years, effecting our wives, our children, our grandchildren, our coworkers, and people we meet. There are far too many to count. When you are a respected leader and a productive member of society people all around take notice. You will have countless opportunities throughout your life to help guide and mentor others to reach that same goal of being a respected leader and productive member of society.
“There isn’t a course entitled ‘Being a Respected Leader and Productive Member of Society.’ It was Mr. Williamson’s dream, part of our heritage, and every aspect of Mr. Williamson’s life. After 136 years this is not an experiment. It’s a time-tested method of transforming young men into respected leaders. Williamson is the most direct path for a young man to succeed that I’ve ever heard of.”
He then presented the Isaiah V. Williamson Award to John Barnes 8W4, retired president of Exelon Power and senior vice president of Exelon Generation and Williamson trustee emeritus, and the Clarence Schrenk 4W9 Young Alumnus Award to Jonathan Kagle 1W0, owner of Kagle’s Gardens.
Mark Specht 7W7, chaplain, opened the program with the invocation and closed it with the benediction. The Artisans, led by Sherre Gaertner, led the singing of the alma mater. The evening began with dinner in the dining room.
