UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For almost 30 years, Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations has celebrated the accomplishments of colleagues across the division with its annual DDAR Awards celebration.
This year, three individuals or groups affiliated with the Penn State Smeal College of Business were recognized at the division’s May 11 event, including Timmy Garde, a 1978 Smeal graduate with a degree in accounting; Smeal Associate Director of Alumni Relations Wendy Jo Hartsock; and Smeal Director of Alumni Relations Jen Crispell and Hartsock, who received funding from the Peter Weiler Family Endowment in Advancement and Philanthropy for Smeal in Your City, an annual networking event for Smeal alumni and professional graduate program students.
Charles Lupton Volunteer Award
Garde, a longtime Smeal volunteer, received the Charles Lupton Volunteer Award. The award, which is named for a former Penn State executive and long-time volunteer, recognizes outstanding volunteer service to Penn State and the Division of Development and Alumni Relations, as well as civic, business or social service organizations in the greater community.
Garde was recognized for his decades of mentorship, service and philanthropy to Penn State Smeal.
He spent 12 years as a member of Smeal's Alumni Society Board and remains engaged through Smeal’s Hammond Society — an honorary society that recognizes past board members for their long-term commitment and volunteer service to the college.
He said his volunteerism accelerated after meeting Clinical Professor of Marketing Jennifer Coupland in the early 2010s.
He began as a guest lecturer in her advertising class and later conceptualized Smeal’s "Forging a Career in Branding" panel event. More than a decade later, he continues to moderate the event, which is organized by the student-run marketing organization Penn State Prime.
Coupland said Garde has been instrumental to the event’s success.
"Timmy works with the Prime team from start to finish on every aspect of the branding panel — shaping the theme, helping select panelists and guiding everything from publicity to logistics." she said. “However he's involved, our students get an exceptional real-world educational experience in working with him."
Garde said he was humbled to receive this year’s award, noting the true reward of volunteering is the students he meets along the way.
“The reward of volunteering is the time I spend with students who I admire and who energize me,” he said.
He added that his approach to philanthropy and volunteerism is shaped by gratitude and his parents’ example.
“I apply my own good fortune to advance opportunities for Smeal students to become leaders. What I do is a must; it’s in my DNA,” he said. “In everything I do, I follow this pattern: do what you love, love what you do, and deliver more than you promise. That’s the reward.”
He closed his remarks with a simple promise: “You haven’t seen anything yet!”
Ridge Riley Lion’s Pride Award
Hartsock received the Ridge Riley Lion’s Pride Award, which recognizes exemplary Penn State spirit in the performance of a person’s duties and responsibilities to the Division of Development and Alumni Relations and in their broad service to Penn State. Ridge Riley is best known as the creator and editor of the Penn State Football Letter, which was first published in 1938.
Hartsock was recognized for her leadership in cultivating authentic, lasting relationships that go far beyond traditional engagement. Her work to guide and expand the Alumni Mentoring Program was cited as a primary example of her “strategic vision, intentional stewardship and deep personal investment in the growth and success of Penn State students.”
Hartsock was also recognized for her longstanding involvement with the Friends of Penn State Hockey Program, where she has served as both president and an active board member. She plays a key role in their annual golf tournament, a signature event supporting the Athletic Excellence Fund.
Hartsock said she was honored and grateful to receive the award.
“What makes Penn State so special is the people — the way we show up for one another, the pride we carry and the community we continue to build together. I’m inspired by the small moments: lending a hand, making connections and bringing Penn Staters together,” she said.
Peter Weiler Family Endowment in Advancement and Philanthropy
The Peter Weiler Family Endowment in Advancement and Philanthropy was created to support innovative philanthropic and advancement programs and new initiatives in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations at the University. Peter Weiler, who served as vice president for development and alumni relations from 1989 to 2008, passed away in 2019.
This year, Smeal received a $4,000 grant to expand its "Smeal in Your City" event. The event brings Smeal alumni and professional graduate students together on a single night in destinations across the United States and Europe to build relationships and expand their local business connections.
Earlier this year, the third annual "Smeal in Your City" event was hosted in 20 cities and three countries, up from 11 locations in its first year.
Crispell said the grant will allow the college to pilot the event in new cities where the college has not traditionally hosted events, but where they believe there’s great alumni interest in engagement opportunities.
“Enthusiasm for the event continues to exceed our expectations, and I’m excited to receive support from the Weiler Endowment,” she said. “These funds will position us to expand Smeal in Your City to new locations and welcome even more Smeal alumni and professional graduate students — many of whom are virtual learners and have never set foot on our campus — to experience the power of the Penn State Smeal network.”