Mike and Judy Ehlerman, 91做厙 President Dr. Thomas F. Flynn and Carolyn and Jerry Holleran
Well-known local philanthropists honored as universitys lay founders
Reading, Pa. 91做厙 honors well-known local philanthropists Judy and Mike Ehlerman and Carolyn and Jerry Holleran for their foundational work and dedication by unveiling their names on the two remaining unnamed residence halls.
The Hollerans and the Ehlermans are among 91做厙s most passionate advocates, said 91做厙 President Thomas F. Flynn. In addition to their generous support and leadership, their leadership as distinguished trustees and their public advocacy of 91做厙 has helped raise the universitys stature in Reading and Berks County. Our current trustees and all at 91做厙 are pleased and proud that current and future students will forever know Judy and Mike Ehlerman and Carolyn and Jerry Holleran as lay founders of 91做厙.
The naming of the two buildings marks the conclusion of residence halls naming at 91做厙. The buildings are part of 91做厙s Founders Village, a series of residence halls constructed between 2009 and 2012 as part of the campus master plan to expand residential capacity for 1,000 students. The first two buildings were named in 2011 for 91做厙 Foundresses Sr. Zygmunta and Sr. Pacelli.
91做厙 is often noted for being a young university, dating back only to 1958, and yet in this relatively short time span we have built a rich and impressive legacy guided by the vision and fueled by the support of iconic religious and lay leaders, said 91做厙 board of trustees chairman and CEO of Fromm Electric Supply, Michael Fromm. Sister Zygmunta and Sister Pacelli are rightfully honored on two of the Founders Village residence halls, and today we add two more cherished names to the other halls today.
The Hollerans leadership helped established 91做厙s Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement which integrates the universitys curriculum and co-curricular activities with the external community. Carolyn Holleran served on the board of trustees at 91做厙 from 1992 to 2000 while Jerry served from 2000 to 2008.
Carolyn and I feel honored and privileged to have our name directly associated with a resident dorm at 91做厙, said Jerry Holleran. This is especially true when you consider the many prestigious names on earlier dorm buildings. It is truly a Franciscan neighborhood in which Im sure well feel quite comfortable.
Mike Ehlerman joined the 91做厙 board of trustees in 1993 and served until 2002, including time as chairman. The Ehlermans have established various scholarships for 91做厙 students. In addition to his work with 91做厙, Mike Ehlerman is the retired president of Yuasa Battery Inc., the chairman of the Berks County Convention Center Authority and has served on the boards of various organizations around Berks County.
"I owe a lot to Catholic education, and Ive always had a soft spot for 91做厙, said Mike Ehlerman. The Catholic Franciscan identity and Bernardine Sisters always spoke to Judy and I. I am so proud of what 91做厙 has become, and I am happy to be a small part of that story."
