PSU Community Campaign celebrates 25th year

Pittsburg State University will celebrate its 25th year of partnering with area businesses during the 2010 Community Campaign Breakfast March 9.

More than 30 area businesses will be recognized for continually supporting the university since the campaign first began back in 1985. The breakfast, which marks the beginning of the two-week campaign, will feature this year's campaign co-chairs: Elaine Castagno, co-owner of Jim's Steakhouse and a financial planner with University Bank, and Mark Werner, president of Citizen's Bank. The breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. in the Crimson and Gold Ballroom at Overman Student Center.

The businesses to be recognized include American Concrete Company; Arma Drug; Bank of America; Bath Naylor Funeral Home; Bob Dittmann Insurance Agency; Brenner Mortuary; Citizens Bank; Coldwell Banker Jim Bishop & Associates; Commerce Bank; Cronister Ace Hardware; Jim's Steak House & Lounge; Jones Heritage, Realtors; Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union; Kiwanis Club of Pittsburg; Lindburg Pharmacy; Loy Law Firm, LLC; M&I Bank; Marrone's; The Medicine Shoppe; Menghini Bros. Distributors; Midwest Minerals; Miller's Professional Imaging; NPC International; Otto's Café; Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company; Pitsco; Pitt Plastics; Ron's Supermarket; Rotary Club of Pittsburg; Rua Insurance Agency; Treble Clef Club; Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers; and Wheeler & Mitchelson.

Not only have those businesses been consistent financial contributors to PSU, but they have also hired graduates, offered internships, and been engaged in the university's cultural and community offerings.

"From a business owner standpoint, it is essential that we retain young graduates. If we didn't have the college here and didn't support it, I believe there wouldn't be a Pittsburg," said Castagno, an alumnae whose two sons attend PSU. "I find it quite an honor that Dr. Scott would ask me to be a leader in this campaign."

At the breakfast, the Rex Crowley Award will also be presented to Wendell and Lynda Wilkinson, longtime supporters of Pitt State who have provided years of service and leadership to PSU and to the community. Both knew Crowley, a Pittsburg banker and one of the first members of the business community to volunteer his time for PSU fundraising, through their individual work in the banking industry.

"I had a lot of admiration and respect for (Crowley) as a banker and a gentleman, so for me this is very humbling," Wendell Wilkinson said. "We want to help make a difference in our community and make it an even better place to live."

"We do truly believe that the relationship between the university and community is vital. It's an ongoing effort that needs to be fed," said Lynda Wilkinson

For more information about the breakfast, contact Holly Kent, director of annual giving, at (620) 235-4768.