Schearer Receives Kutztown Community Partnership Award
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Jerry Schearer, senior associate dean/chief diversity officer at Kutztown University, has received the Kutztown Community Partnership (KCP) Volunteer of the Year award. This award is given annually and recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in their endeavors.
The KCP could not exist, nor function, without volunteers. This organization is for nonprofit and is driven by community members. The KCP seeks to preserve the historic college town, liaison to build community, forge positive relationships and foster economic and cultural collaboration to promote inclusivity in Kutztown that welcomes education, business and diversity.
The KCP Volunteer of the Year award was created to recognize the extraordinary efforts of community volunteers, exemplifies the organization's values and embodies the spirit of all KCP volunteers.
Schearer has been at KU since May 2008. He oversees the four inclusion centers on campus: LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Multicultural Services, Women's Center and Veteran Services. In addition, he has served nine years on the KCP's board, including one year as vice president and four years as president. Schearer is beginning his 10th year with the KCP as the chair of the Organization Committee, where his experience and history with KCP will serve as great insight.
Despite no longer being part of the board, Schearer continues to serve his community in many ways. This past year, he volunteered as the assistant manager at the KCP Concession Stand at the borough pool, which is run by the organization as a community fundraiser. Schearer can also be seen changing the light bulbs in the office, shoveling snow and overall, lending a helping hand whenever possible.
"I've always felt you should give back to the community in which you live and KCP as well as Friend Inc. has been a great way for me to do that locally," Schearer said. "I hope I can help continue to be involved in bridging gaps between the university and borough, between students and residents and mostly just make Kutztown a great place to live and work."
For more information, visit http://kutztownpartnership.org/.