UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Mimi Barash Coppersmith, a Penn State alumna and philanthropist, publishing and advertising entrepreneur, and the first woman to chair the Penn State Board of Trustees, died on Sept. 14. She was 92.
Barash Coppersmith had a notable career beginning from the time she earned a degree in journalism from Penn State in 1953 until her death, during which time she improved the State College community through her unmatched drive and passion, as well as her hands-on service. As co-founder of the State College-based advertising and publishing firm The Barash Group with her late husband Sy Barash, Barash Coppersmith focused on highlighting the region and helping to uplift women. She held the role of president of The Barash Group and publisher of Town & Gown Magazine for nearly 50 years before she sold her businesses in 2008. Barash Coppersmith was known for her “Lunch with Mimi” column in Town & Gown, which featured notable members of the Penn State and local communities.
She was elected by alumni to serve on Penn State’s Board of Trustees from 1976 to 1997 and was named trustee emerita in 1997. Barash Coppersmith was the first woman chair of the board and held the position in 1991 and 1992.
“Mimi was an important member of both the State College and Penn State communities, and she will be missed immensely,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. “Throughout her career, she influenced and inspired so many people with her kindness and generosity, leaving her mark in a truly memorable way. Her service to the University through her work as a trustee, serving seven three-year terms as an alumni-elected member as well as leading the board as chair, highlighted her unwavering desire to lift Penn State’s reputation and standing.”
A vital part of the State College community since arriving in 1950, Barash Coppersmith was actively involved with many local and community organizations, including serving as president of the State College Area Chamber of Commerce (today known as the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County), the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, and Penn State’s Renaissance Fund. She was the capital campaign coordinator for Centre LifeLink EMS, a member of the Palmer Museum of Art Advisory Board, and an honorary chair of the State College Choral Society’s Holocaust Memorial Project.
“Mimi will forever be an important part of Penn State’s history, and I know I speak for my fellow trustees when I say we will continue to draw inspiration from everything she was able to accomplish during her life and career,” said David Kleppinger, chair of the Penn State Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the board, I want to express our deep thanks for Mimi’s 21 years of distinguished service as a University trustee, including two years as chair; her extensive philanthropy; and her commitment to bettering Penn State and the State College community.”
With a long-standing commitment to philanthropy, Barash Coppersmith dedicated her efforts to multiple causes, including the American Cancer Society, Centre County Historical Society, Centre Safe, Girl Scouts, Pennsylvania Pink Zone and the Youth Service Bureau, among many others.
At Penn State, she was a driving force behind the creation of the Renaissance Fund, which offers scholarships to students with academic talent and financial need. Since the fund was established in 1969, it has raised more than $26 million in endowed funds, and it inspires support by honoring community leaders with named scholarships. Barash Coppersmith herself was celebrated as the Renaissance Person of the Year by the University in 1990. Her own generosity created numerous permanent endowments, including the Sy Barash Family Renaissance Scholarship, the Sy and Mimi Barash Freshman Scholarship Fund, the Mimi U. Coppersmith Educational Equity Scholarship in the College of Arts and Architecture, and the Mimi Barash Coppersmith Endowed Scholarship in Women’s Studies, in addition to funding many other philanthropic priorities. Barash Coppersmith’s philanthropy earned her membership in Laurel Circle of the Mount Nittany Society, giving more than $2 million to Penn State during her lifetime.
“Mimi was a true trailblazer who had a special gift for mobilizing the entire community to unite around a worthy cause,” said Alyssa M. Wilcox, vice president for development and alumni relations. "She was the driving force behind the creation of some of the University's most recognizable endowments, which even today continue to provide resources to the arts, advance student success and celebrate the contributions of Penn Staters. This included the foundation of the Renaissance Fund. The University is incredibly thankful for Mimi's years of service, her generous spirit of giving and her commitment to improving Penn State at all levels."
In 2018, Barash Coppersmith published her memoir, “Eat First, Cry Later,” detailing the motivation behind her determination to leave the world a better place than she found it. With an early experience of loss and sadness, Barash Coppersmith was inspired by her mother and father to use her courage and spirit to positively influence the lives of those around her. Her memoir discusses some of her biggest struggles and how she was able to overcome the difficult moments in her life to become a role model for others. She donated all proceeds from the book to support students within the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications who study abroad.
Barash Coppersmith earned numerous honors from the University for her accomplishments and service, including the College of the Liberal Arts’ Service to Society Award, the Lion’s Paw Medal, and the Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor bestowed by the University on its graduates.
A celebration of life to honor Barash Coppersmith is expected to be held later this fall.