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.