A Beautiful Day for a Tribute

by Cynthia Tintorri
April 22, 2010

It was an event planner's dream of a day: sunny skies, warm temperatures, and a light breeze cooling attendees gathered for the dedication of the past year's donations to Northampton Community College's Tribute Garden. On April 22, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, NCC President Dr. Art Scott welcomed students, faculty, staff, alumni and distinguished guests to witness "the dream and vision of many people coming true" in the form of the Tribute Garden, two acres located just off the quad between Penn and Commonwealth Halls.

After remarks from NCC Trustee and Foundation Board President Bruce Palmer, some of the many donors spoke about those their gifts commemorated. A plaque was dedicated in memory of Founding Superintendent Herbert Cobley, who was one of a handful of area school administrators who realized the need for a community college and set out to make NCC a reality. Cobley's son-in-law and NCC Foundation Board Member Chuck Peischl spoke on behalf of himself and wife Gwen about Cobley's vision for the college.

Student Denitra Batista, who made a donation in memory of fellow NCC student Kristy Lucas, read a poem to honor her friend.

State Senator Lisa Boscola (pictured above) spoke about her father, Richard Stofko, who "couldn't afford to go to college, but spent 33 years as a laborer at Bethlehem Steel. My parents dedicated their lives to education, so we could go to college if we earned it." The donation of a Japanese maple, Boscola said, was appropriate because her father was in Japan while serving in the Marines. "I feel like the roots of my family are represented in that tree," she tearfully told the audience.

Before a groundbreaking ceremony for a new medicinal garden to be tended by the science club, NCC student and science club president Michael MacDonald talked about the idea for the garden, and the help advisors Dr. Sharon Lee-Bond and Doris Kressly had provided to make it a reality.

 

 

The Tribute Garden Dedication celebrated gifts in honor or memory of, or made possible by the generosity of:

The Arcadia Foundation/Marilyn L. Steinbright

Kathleen Dolin in memory of Jeffrey Bartges

Mary Lou Collis in honor of her family

Dental Hygiene, Class of '09

In honor of Joan Doren

Ernie Fehnel in memory of Sylvia Fehnel

Nancy Fournier '78

Sharon A. Fournier

Drs. Beall & Linny Fowler & Family

Kathleen Friedenberg

Deborah P. Gschrey '79

Megan '96 & Brian '10 Hartlaub

R. Dale & Frances M. Hughes Foundation

Scott & Brian Kalamar in honor of their parents, Lorraine & Richard

Lehigh Valley Health Network

Peter B. Locke

Denitra Batista in memory of Kristy Lucas

In honor of Jerry Miller

MKSD

NCC Charts in honor of Kathleen Friedenberg

G. Robert Oles

Bruce A. Palmer '77 in honor of his family

Chuck & Gwen Peischl in memory of Herbert F. Cobley

Louise Moore Pine

Anna Stofko in memory of Richard J. Stofko & in honor of Senator Lisa M. Boscola

In memory of Joseph Ternyik, Jr.

Carol Wogenrich & Family & NCC Friends in memory of Gary S. Wogenrich

For more information, or to be a part of the garden, contact Sharon Zondag at szondag@northampton.edu or visit www.northampton.edu.