James H. "Jim" Yocum, one of the beloved and impactful leaders in the history of Reading Area Community College, passed away at the age of 98 on April 8, 2025. His legacy is marked by his exceptional dedication to education, philanthropy, and service to his treasured Berks County community.

A lifelong advocate for higher education, Jim served as a Trustee of Reading Area Community College for 24 years, from July 1, 1991, through June 30, 2015. He demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the college and its students throughout his tenure. Jim's leadership was particularly evident in his roles as vice chairman from 1996 to 1998 and again from 2000 to 2002, as well as chairman from 1998 to 2000 and 2002 to 2004. His influence on the college's direction, growth, and success was immeasurable.

Jim was the driving force that established the Foundation for RACC in 1983. He served as the first chairman of the Foundation. He established a remarkable 25 endowed Yocum Scholarships that have allowed hundreds of Berks County students earn a college degree at Reading Area Community College. The Foundation for RACC, which Jim created, now has over 32 million dollars in assets, and stands as the second largest among all community colleges in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Jim also worked closely with his friends Dr. Gust Zogas and Marlin Miller to establish the Reading High School to Reading Area Community College Opportunity Scholarship Program that has provided tuition for hundreds of Reading High School students to attend Reading Area Community College.

Jim made a significant gift that allowed the Reading Area Community College leadership to build the first new building on the campus; a library. The Yocum Library has since served thousands of Reading Area Community College students, faculty, and staff. The Yocum Family Archives are also stored in the Yocum Library.

In recognition of his outstanding service, the Trustee Emeritus award was renamed to the James H. Yocum Trustee Emeritus award. Jim was honored as the first recipient of this prestigious designation.

Jim Yocum’s contributions to Reading Area Community College will never be forgotten. Future generations of our students will be given the gift of a college education because of Jim Yocum’s incredible generosity.

For many, college is the beginning of a journey—but for one alum, Reading Area Community College was not just the starting point; it became the foundation for a lifelong commitment to education, community, and giving back.

A proud graduate of RACC, Jake Horay earned Associate degrees in both Business Management and Social Work. But beyond academics, RACC sparked a deeper passion—for community engagement and philanthropy—that would influence every step that followed.

“RACC provided me with a strong foundation,” he shared. “Not only did it equip me with valuable knowledge and skills, but it also shaped my desire to serve and uplift others.”

Motivated to continue their educational journey, he went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and a Master’s in Business Administration from Peirce College of Philadelphia. Along the way, he also obtained certifications in Human Resource Management and Leadership—further sharpening his tools for creating positive change.

Today, Jake proudly serve as the Manager of Annual Giving and Alumni/Donor Relations at the RACC Foundation, a role that brings his journey full circle. From student to advocate, his mission is clear: to strengthen connections between alumni, donors, and the college, ensuring future generations of RACC students receive the same opportunities that paved the way for his own success.

“RACC was more than just a college for me—it was a launching pad. Now, I have the privilege of giving back to the place that gave me so much. It’s about creating opportunities and building a legacy that lasts.”

With a passion for relationship-building and a heart rooted in service, Jake continue to make a lasting impact on the RACC community—proving that where your story begins can shape where it leads.

READING PA – Lehigh Valley Business has selected Terri Lampe Melcher, vice president of workforce development and continuing education at Reading Area Community College (RACC), as an honored member of its prestigious Business Circle of Excellence. Melcher previously was honored by Lehigh Valley Business as a recipient of its Women of Influence award.  

Mrs. Melcher is the wife of Marathon Founder and CEO Ray Melcher.

This recognition honors high-achieving women for their career accomplishments. The honorees are selected based on their professional experience, community involvement and commitment to mentoring. 

Circle of Excellence honorees are women of longstanding, notable success in the community. To be eligible for the awards, the honorees must live or work in the Greater Lehigh Valley region, including Berks County. 

The honorees were selected by a panel of judges comprised of previous years’ Circle of Excellence honorees and the Lehigh Valley Business editorial team.

“The honorees are outstanding leaders who inspire innovation, celebrate success and support the next generation of leaders. They open doors and create positive change, sharing their success with their professional network and the community around them,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/Lehigh Valley Business. “The Circle of Excellence honorees are trailblazers and change makers who know the value of helping other women see something special in themselves, something they might not have known was there. 

This year’s Awards Celebration where the recipients will be honored will be May 14 at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way in Bethlehem. 

The honorees will be profiled in a special magazine that will be inserted into the May 19 issue of Lehigh Valley Business and will be available online at LVB.com.

About Lehigh Valley Business
Lehigh Valley Business is a multimedia news source with 38 years of journalistic excellence that breaks news daily on its website, LVB.com. It also publishes a print and online edition. In addition, Lehigh Valley Business publishes special focus sections and products throughout the year including the yearly Book of Lists. It also hosts eight annual events, including Women of Influence, Icon Honors and Forty Under 40, to recognize excellence and provide leadership opportunities. Lehigh Valley Business facilitates thoughtful discussion with market leaders through its webinar series. Its Digital Marketing Solutions helps customers with social media, search engine marketing and optimization, retargeting, email marketing and more. Lehigh Valley Business and its sister publication, Central Penn Business Journal, are part of BridgeTower Media, the authoritative voice for insights and marketing solutions across 40+ brands in five key sectors across the United States.

David Hessen
Director of Marketing and Communications
Reading Area Community College
610.607.6212
dhessen@racc.edu

READING PA – Reading Area Community College announced today that Angela Caldero-Perez, has been selected as a 2025 Phi Theta Kappa Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship!

Selection as a Coca-Cola Gold Scholar was based on scores the student earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition, for which nearly 2,100 applications were received this year. This program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and is administered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Throughout the spring, 37 states host All-State Academic Team Recognition ceremonies, where Coca-Cola Gold Scholars are recognized. If your scholar has not already been presented a Gold medallion at your All-State Recognition Program, your student will receive this soon. If your state does not offer such a program, the medallion will be mailed to your student at a later date.

Phi Theta Kappa will recognize the 2025 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholars as a group on stage during the Parade of Scholars at PTK Catalyst, Phi Theta Kappa’s Annual Convention, April 3-5, in Kansas City, Missouri. Receiving the award is not contingent upon being present at the convention; however, please consider if institutional funds are available that would permit you and your scholar to attend. We hope you can join us in Kansas City!

About Phi Theta Kappa.
Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

David Hessen
Director of Marketing and Communications
Reading Area Community College
610.607.6212
dhessen@racc.edu

Ms. Gonzalez Recognized for Intellectual Achievement, Leadership, Community and Campus Engagement

READING PA – Reading Area Community College announced today that Noemi Gonzalez has been selected as one of 20 college students named to the prestigious 2025 All-USA Academic Team. Selected from nearly 2,100 nominees, Ms. Gonzales will receive a $5,000 scholarship.

Noemi was recognized for her academic achievements, campus and community engagement and overall leadership. She will be recognized during the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) annual convention in Nashville in April.

"The All-USA program is a prestigious recognition of a student's exceptional abilities both in and outside of the classroom,” Amanda Karpinski-Gorman, Interim Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, said. “These students are selected for their resilience, creativity, and ingenuity in tackling global and local challenges. We are incredibly proud of the individuals named to the 2025 team and eagerly anticipate the continued impact they will make."

The All-USA program is among the nation’s premier academic honors for students pursuing an associate degree. Each institution may nominate two students who have shown outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and citizenship. The program also honors students who leverage their community college experience to better themselves, improve their schools and impact their communities.

About Phi Theta Kappa.
Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.