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More Than $100,000 Gifted at Class of 1970 and 1971 Reunion

by Paige Hawk Aug 2, 2021
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Members of the Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales Class of 1970.

DSU pride often lasts longer than one’s duration as a student here. For some, it lasts 50 years.

On June 26, the Classes of 1970 (above) and 1971 (below), the second and third graduating classes of Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales, celebrated their 50th class reunion. In addition to reconnecting with their peers, alumni demonstrated their unwavering pride by presenting DeSales with several gifts.

Tom Junod, reunion committee member of the Class of 1970, presented DSU with a centaur statue, which will be on display in the Centaur Lounge at Dorothy Day. The statue is a symbol of the endowment created in 2020 to establish the Class of 1970 Centaur Scholarship Fund. Currently, more than $78,000 has been donated to this fund.

Bob Glenn, reunion committee chair of the Class of 1971, presented DSU with a check for $100,000. The Class of ’71 also donated a centaur painting to be displayed in the Centaur Lounge. This painting is a symbol of the endowment created in 2021 to establish the Class of 1971 Memorial Scholarship Fund. 

Allentown College of St Francis de Sales class of 1971

Members of the Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales Class of 1971.

“We saw the college go from just three buildings and lots of cornfields to the Lehigh Valley's premier university campus it is today,” says Glenn. “Being at the birth of DeSales makes our 50th year reunion very special to all of us….we are DeSales proud!”

Alumni support does more than ensure that students can kick-start their careers by attending DeSales; it allows our campus to progress to both meet and exceed the needs of our community.

“As two of the earliest classes in our school’s history, it seems fitting that they continue their legacy by having scholarship endowments, which will pave the way for future students to attend DeSales University,” says Dan Villanti ’09, director of alumni relations. “We are not only appreciative of these gifts, but even more grateful for their friendship to our University.”