The Norwin School District
Community Foundation
The Norwin School District Community Foundation, a
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was created in 2007 with a
mission to support programs and activities benefiting Norwin
School District students, to develop and increase community
philanthropy, and to develop and administer scholarship
funds for graduates of Norwin School District. The Norwin
School District Community Foundation is governed by a
Board of 10 volunteer directors. Two volunteer non-voting
members contribute at the Board level as well.
Scholarships are a major part of what the Norwin School
District Community Foundation does to help Norwin students.
Since the Foundation’s inception in 2007, total scholarships
awarded have exceeded $100,000. Additionally, the Foundation
has provided an Educator Innovations Grant program for
teachers that benefitted 525 students in its inaugural year, 260
students in its second year, and 690 students during the current
school year.
The Norwin School District Community Foundation would
like to take its positive impact to the next level by supporting
the Norwin STEM Innovation Center through a major Capital
Campaign. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated
with the School District, the Foundation can receive funds
from alumni, foundations, and other financial supporters who
can provide major financial gifts to support the Norwin STEM
Innovation Center and the long-term investments to sustain
Norwin educational programs and services.
More information is available at www.norwinsd.org/
foundation or contact Jonathan Szish, Executive Director, at
724.861.3000, ext. 1150.
The Norwin Board of Education
Front Row (L-R): Barbara A. Viola; Becky A. Gediminskas; Darlene
J. Ciocca. Back Row (L-R): Raymond Kocak; Dennis J. Rittenhouse;
Thomas J. Sturm, Vice President; Robert J. Perkins, President;
Donald W. Rhodes, Jr.; Albert C. Lynn
—Serving Norwin School District—
Norwin | Spring 2014 | icmags.com 25
N OR WI N SC HOOL DI STRI C T N E WS
she continues to support the idea as an educational
investment and regional asset.
A Steering Committee met four times to provide
crucial guidance for the emerging concept of
the Center. The 60-member Steering Committee
included four High School students, elementary and
secondary teachers, parents, business leaders, county
officials, two school board members, representatives
from higher education, and school administrators.
The Steering Committee has operated with guidance
from Hayes Large Architects.
Dr. Conrad Zapanta, a Norwin parent of three
children and a member of Steering Committee,
credited Dr. Kerr for proposing the STEM Innovation
Center and for providing leadership and vision for
this ambitious project.
“Dr. Kerr’s leadership will result in a state-of-the
art facility that will permit students to engage with
companies to solve real-world problems,” said Dr.
Zapanta, who is the Associate Department Head
and a Teaching Professor of Biomedical Engineering
at Carnegie Mellon University. “When this center is
complete, Norwin has the chance to be a leader in
STEM education in the region, state, and country."
The Board and Administration have been on a
mission to move the District forward and to meet
the changing needs of public education in terms of
academic excellence and fiscal sustainability.
“The most pressing challenge will be to construct
the Norwin STEM Innovation Center without
the use of local tax money; however, we remain
optimistic,” Dr. Kerr said. “We will follow the business
model used by colleges and universities though
annual giving, Norwin Alumni contributions,
charitable gifts, endowments, and long-term
monetary giving.”
It is anticipated that the Norwin School District
Community Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization affiliated with the School District, will be
instrumental in this effor ЁѼ