READING, PA – Tompkins Community Bank has announced a $15,000 contribution to the Foundation at Reading Area Community College through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, reinforcing the bank’s ongoing commitment to expanding educational opportunity for students across Berks County.

The gift will support Reading Area Community College’s Dual Enrollment program, which enables high school students to earn college credits while still completing their secondary education, significantly reducing the cost and time required to earn a college degree.

A check presentation ceremony was held at the Tompkins corporate office and included Tompkins Pennsylvania President Ginger Kunkel, Reading Area Community College President Dr. Susan Looney, Tompkins Senior Vice President Peter Rowley, Tony DeMarco, Vice President and Executive Director of the Foundation for RACC, Tompkins Vice President Amy Vaughan, and Jake Horay, Manager of Donor Relations at the Foundation for RACC.

Dr. Susan Looney, President of Reading Area Community College, praised Tompkins Community Bank for its continued investment in students and families across the region.

“Through the annual EITC contributions provided by Tompkins Community Bank to the Foundation for RACC, hundreds of ambitious students have had the opportunity to begin their college education while still in high school,” said Dr. Looney. “These students and their families have collectively saved tens of thousands of dollars in future college costs because of Tompkins’ generosity and commitment to expanding access to higher education.”

Tompkins Pennsylvania President Ginger Kunkel emphasized the natural partnership between the community bank and the region’s community college.

Tony DeMarco, Vice President of RACC and Executive Director of the Foundation for RACC, noted that programs supported by the EITC initiative continue to make a meaningful difference for local families.

“We hope other business leaders will follow the example set by Tompkins Community Bank by supporting the RACC EITC Dual Enrollment program,” said DeMarco. “For many families, the cost of higher education remains one of the greatest barriers to opportunity. EITC contributions allow high school students to earn affordable college credits and create a more accessible pathway to a college degree.”

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

READING PA — Vice President of College Advancement and Executive Director of the Foundation at Reading Area Community College, Tony DeMarco, has been named a recipient of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Distinguished College Administrator Award. Mr. DeMarco will be recognized during PTK Catalyst, Phi Theta Kappa’s annual international convention.

The Distinguished College Administrator Award recognizes college leaders who work directly with student leaders to strengthen campus communities and expand opportunities for student success. Honorees are nominated by Phi Theta Kappa student leaders.

“We are so grateful for Tony’s active participation in the leadership development of our Phi Theta Kappa students,” says Reading Area Community College President, Dr. Susan Looney. “His passionate support has not gone unnoticed by our students. He provides an excellent example of what it means to get involved with students beyond the classroom.”

At Reading Area Community College, DeMarco has demonstrated a deep and far-reaching commitment to student success through leadership that expands ccess, builds opportunity, and strengthens institutional support systems. His work has helped ensure that financial barriers, basic needs insecurity, and limited access to resources do not stand in the way of student achievement or persistence.

“Mr. DeMarco’s leadership is grounded in a deep belief that student success requires both opportunity and infrastructure,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Students recognize him for the way he builds systems that support them — from scholarships and emergency assistance to facilities that expand career pathways. His work benefits students across his entire college.”

Through his leadership in college advancement and philanthropy, Mr. DeMarco has played a central role in providing the necessary resources that support student learning and engagement, wellbeing, and career readiness – both in and out of the classroom.

To be eligible for the Distinguished College Administrator Award, nominees must serve as a vice president, dean, or director at an institution with an active Phi Theta Kappa chapter, have at least three years of service in their current role, and be nominated by the student leaders of their chapter. Tony was selected from among thousands of eligible college administrators nationwide to receive this honor.

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

“We are so grateful for Tony’s active participation in the leadership development of our Phi Theta Kappa students,” says Reading Area Community College President, Dr. Susan Looney. “His passionate support has not gone unnoticed by our students. He provides an excellent example of what it means to get involved with students beyond the classroom.”

Reading, PA - Reading Area Community College was awarded $3.6 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to help fund capital projects that will improve campus life. The funding will be used to expand the student union and upgrade infrastructure.

RACC received $2.1 million for the expansion of its student union as well as $1.5 million for upgrades to its HVAC system.

“Pennsylvania’s community colleges offer affordable pathways for learners to pursue higher education, earn credentials, and enter the workforce on their own terms,” Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe said. “This funding ensures that our commonwealth’s community college campuses are safe, welcoming and state-of-the-art, creating flexible and innovative 21st century learning environments for all students.”

RACC was one of 13 community colleges that received funding through the state to renovate or build facilities. The purpose of the funding is to help fund short-term and long-term debt service projects, capital leases and cash capital projects.

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

Reading PA—The Foundation for Reading Area Community College (RACC) is delighted to announce that Mid Penn Bank has donated $4,500 under the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. Mid Penn Bank joins the Foundation for RACC’s mission to augment and enhance the college’s ability to offer affordable, quality educational opportunities to the community through RACC’s Dual Enrollment Program.

A check presentation was held on the RACC campus with RACC President, Dr. Susan Looney, Mid Penn Bank Vice President Doug Smith, Executive Director of the Foundation for RACC Tony DeMarco and Mid Penn Bank Relationship Manager Rochelle Gray.

Dr. Looney, commended Mid Penn for their EITC gift, “High school students throughout Berks County will be inspired by this important gift for those looking to find the funding to continue their education or enter the workforce after high school.”

Doug Smith and the Mid Penn leadership were excited to help Berks County students start their college education through RACC’s Dual Enrollment program. He noted, “Mid Penn Bank is a passionate supporter of our Berks County institutes of Higher Education. Berks County is a vital part of our bank and we believe in giving back.”

“RACC is so grateful to our friends at Mid Penn Bank. With this EITC gift, Mid Penn Bank will open the door to a college education for those ambitious high school students looking to start their journey to college,” said Tony DeMarco, Executive Director of the Foundation. “The cost of higher education remains the greatest obstacle for thousands of families. EITC gifts provides high school students with an affordable path to a college degree.”

Reading Area Community College is an accredited, comprehensive, open enrollment education institution that provides the following: Associate degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs; career-focused training; transitional coursework; skills training for business and industry; personal enrichment programs and public service activities. Sponsored by Berks County, the College provides affordable access to meet identified community educational needs.

About Mid Penn Bank: For more than 150 years, Mid Penn Bank has been a staple of the community. Originally founded in 1868 as The Millersburg Trust Company in Millersburg, Pennsylvania, Mid Penn Bank has expanded over the years from a small community bank to a comprehensive financial services company operating in diverse markets across the state. Our assets have grown to approximately $5 billion and Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc., the parent company of Mid Penn Bank, is publicly traded on Nasdaq under the symbol MPB. Despite our growth, when you visit one of our convenient Financial Center locations, connect with us online, or speak to a representative in our customer service center, you will see that our top priority is building relationships with our customers. Our commitment to making our community a better place to live, work, raise a family, and run a business is steadfast.

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

Zachery “Zach” Stackhouse graduated from Governor Mifflin High School in 2014. There, he was able to complete several dual enrollment courses through RACC for college credits, which allowed him to jumpstart his pursuit of a higher education. His mother graduated from RACC in 1989 and spoke highly of her experience, which provided her with a local and affordable education.

With his mother’s experience in mind, Zach applied for and received a RACC Presidential Scholarship.

Through this scholarship, he was awarded two years of tuition, which allowed him to focus on his studies instead of financing his education. Zach graduated from RACC in 2016 with an Associate’s Degree in Social Science.

After graduating from RACC, he continued his educational journey at Kutztown University, where he earned multiple degrees. A BA in History ('18), M.Ed. in Secondary Education ('20), and a M.Ed. in Student Affairs in Higher Education ('24). During this time, Zach discovered that higher education was the perfect career for him.

“While working as a part-time advisor in the Student Success Center at RACC, I had the opportunity to apply to and obtain a full-time position as Accessibility Services Coordinator/Academic Intervention Specialist. I have been in this position since June of 2024. I enjoy the ability to work amongst many of the wonderful faculty and staff who helped me as a student. This is a fulfilling career because I am able to help students through their educational journey where I have walked in similar shoes,” Zach says.