Donatos and Furmanskis named 2025 Fundraising Volunteers of the Year

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has named William Donato Jr. and Kathryn Donato, Penn State graduates and current co-chairs of the Schreyer Honors College campaign committee, and Donald Furmanski Jr. and Janet Furmanski, longtime volunteers and philanthropists to areas across the University, as the 2025 Fundraising Volunteers of the Year.

The awards, which recognize individuals, couples or groups who demonstrate exceptional commitment and leadership in building philanthropic support for the University, will be presented at a special ceremony this fall. The dual selection reflects Penn State’s commitment to honoring volunteerism at both University Park and the Commonwealth Campuses.

“The Fundraising Volunteers of the Year represent the very best of Penn State,” said President Neeli Bendapudi. "Bill, Kate, Don, and Janet have given generously their time, their energy, and their resources to uplift our students and strengthen our University. Their leadership and dedication inspire others to join them in advancing Penn State’s mission, not only at University Park but across the Commonwealth.”

Bill and Kate Donato

The Donatos’ deeply rooted belief in the importance of higher education has led them to a longstanding tradition of supporting the growth of others, and their service and giving to the Schreyer Honors College carry on the philosophy of William Schreyer, the late alumnus and former president of the Penn State Board of Trustees, and his wife and philanthropic partner, Joan Schreyer, whose generosity and vision led to the creation of the college in 1997.

“Bill and Kate have always been dedicated to the values of inclusivity, discovery, empowerment and growth held by the Schreyer Honors College,” said Schreyer Honors College Dean Patrick Mather. “Their leadership and involvement continue to help us cultivate a rich academic community for high-achieving undergraduate students at Penn State. I am so thankful for their partnership, and it is an honor to celebrate them as Fundraising Volunteers of the Year.”  

The Donatos’ passion for service began with their leadership roles in the Greek life at Penn State during their time as undergraduates, with Bill serving as the president of the Interfraternity Council in 1994 and Kate serving as the president of the Panhellenic Council in 1996. During that time, Bill had an opportunity to meet William Schreyer through their shared connection to Greek life, and he found inspiration in the Schreyer family’s service.

“I was struck by how generous Bill Schreyer was — not just with his money, but with his time,” Bill Donato said.  Witnessing the potential of students in the Schreyer Honors College was the igniting spark that began his desire to become a volunteer. “Schreyer Scholars are doing such interesting work across so many disciplines, and we want to support them and share their stories so that the broader community can recognize their potential and the quality of a Penn State education.”

Bill’s and Kate’s advocacy first led to Bill joining the Schreyer Honors College’s External Advisory Board in 2013, and later to the couple serving on the college’s board for the “Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence” campaign from 2018 to 2022, helping to raise $19.9 million in resources for current and future Scholars. Now, they will be leading the college’s efforts in the University’s latest campaign. They also share their time and talent with multiple organizations in the Philadelphia area, primarily focused on organizations that support the growth, education and well-being of young people, including the Ronald McDonald House of Philadelphia, St. Peter’s School and Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.

The same drive that inspires their volunteer efforts is also at the root of their philanthropy, specifically through their support of THON and their creation of the Donato Family Academic Excellence Fund, the Donato Family Open Doors Scholarship, the Donato Family Honors Scholarship and the William and Kathryn Donato Trustee Scholarship in the Schreyer Honors College.

Bill and Kate recalled the dozens of thank-you letters they’ve received from past recipients of their scholarships, and in particular, one student whose future as a Scholar would have been derailed by a natural disaster without the support of the Donatos’ Open Doors Scholarship.

“Giving back has always been something that grounds me personally. The importance of uplifting others is something that we’ve tried to prioritize as a family — it's a part of who we are,” Kate said. “Nobody can navigate through life alone. I feel appreciative to have the time and financial resources to be able to make a hands-on difference for students.”

Bill is the president of retail insurance for Patriot, one of the top 25 insurance brokers in the country. He earned his bachelor's degree in finance with honors in 1994. Following the completion of her bachelor's degree in human development and family studies in 1996 and her master’s degree in social work in 2003 from the University of Pennsylvania, Kate served as a social worker for more than twenty years, most recently at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Both of their children are current Penn State students.

Don and Janet Furmanski

For Don and Janet, their son’s enrollment at the University blossomed into an opportunity to spend time together and with other Penn Staters — and eventually bloomed into numerous volunteer roles at Penn State Abington and University Park.

“Don and Janet have always been willing to step forward to provide help where it is needed, and in doing so, they have provided a wonderful example for future generations,” said Tonya Peeples, Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of Engineering. “Their support of areas across the University embodies the idea that we are all Penn Staters. This award is the perfect recognition of their service.”

Driven by the spirit of helping others achieve their goals, Don and Janet have taken on volunteer roles for numerous groups across the University, most notably joining the Parent Philanthropy Committee in 2017.  Don and Janet are currently the longest-serving members of the committee.  As part of their service, the couple has engaged with other parents who share their desire to support Penn State, connecting both on an individual basis and at campus events throughout the academic year. 

“We understand the value of a Penn State education and the impact a Penn State graduate can have on society,” Janet said.  “Having discovered through Parent Philanthropy that there are talented, high-potential students struggling financially to finish their degree who may have no option but to quit pursuing their education, we want to see them realize their dream of a degree so they can contribute and share their talents in their communities. That’s not possible without the support of volunteerism and philanthropy.”

In addition to the Parent Philanthropy Committee, they have both participated in the Penn State Abington Chancellor’s Advisory Board, with Don serving from 2020 to 2025 and Janet’s service beginning in 2023. She was recently named the advisory board’s Student, Staff & Academic Committee Chair. Janet has also been a member of the Penn State Abington Development Committee since 2024. Don serves on the Industrial and Professional Advisory Council for the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Engineering. Along the way, he found that mentoring students in his chosen field of engineering was of particular importance to him, and he stays in contact with his mentees to this day.

Don and Janet have also supported the University through philanthropy, including gifts to multiple funds at Penn State Abington, THON benefitting Four Diamonds and the Tackle Hunger Initiative, supporting students facing food insecurity. Their primary philanthropic focus, however, has centered on creating opportunities for students who, like Don, have a passion for engineering. The couple created the Furmanski Family Open Doors Scholarship in the College of Engineering in 2018 and the Furmanski Family Undergraduate Research Fund in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 2024.

In addition to their giving to Penn State, Janet and Don have been involved with the Boy Scouts of America and their son’s alma mater LaSalle College High School, including the Crew Parents Association and the LaSalle College High School Alumni Mothers’ 180 Degrees Club, which provides scholarship support to students.  Janet also serves as a volunteer for the Special Equestrians Therapeutic Riding Center in Warrington, Pennsylvania.

Don earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1987. He began his studies at Penn State Abington and finished at University Park, and he completed coursework towards a master’s degree in engineering at Penn State Great Valley. His career has centered on aerospace technologies and manufacturing, and he is currently the vice president of sales and business development at AMETEK Aerospace & Defense. In recognition of his professional achievements, Don was one of 11 individuals named Outstanding Engineering Alumni for 2025 by the College of Engineering.

Janet, who earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, also worked for AMETEK for more than 30 years before retiring as the company’s Sensor, Test and Calibration Division’s human resources director in 2022.

They have one son, Donald “Donny” Furmanski III, who graduated from Penn State in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in food science and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration at Penn State Great Valley. Volunteerism has been passed down to Donny, who held several leadership positions within the Boy Scouts and participated in THON as a student at Penn State, culminating in leadership roles in a special interest organization and serving as a dancer during THON weekend in 2020.

“We truly enjoy being involved, and we are honored to receive this award,” Don said. “We're Penn Staters through and through.”

Donors and volunteers like the Donatos and Furmanskis advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.