Lock Haven University Inducts Two to Business Hall of Fame

From left: President Fiorentino, Donald Faulkner, John Brouse, , Leslie Lorefice, Junior Business Student, and Dr. Cori Myers,  Department Chair, Business & Computer Science. Photo provided.
From left: President Fiorentino, Donald Faulkner, John Brouse, , Leslie Lorefice, Junior Business Student, and Dr. Cori Myers, Department Chair, Business & Computer Science. Photo provided.

LOCK HAVEN – Two alumni from Lock Haven University were inducted to the Business Hall of Fame April 4, 2014 at the University’s Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center. The Business Hall of Fame recognizes alumni for their professional success, distinguished service, and upstanding character.

Lock Haven University inducted John S. Brouse and Donald L. Faulkner into their Business Hall of Fame, recognizing not only their career successes, but their service and commitment to others in the University or their communities.

John S. Brouse, a 1963 alumnus, retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Prior to moving into a presidential role, he served as the Chief Operating Officer at Pennsylvania Blue Shield. Mr. Brouse served on national, state, and local boards including the National Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association, Allegheny Conference on Business Development, and Civic Light Opera. As Board Chairman, he has led such organizations as the Inter-county Health Plans, United Concordia Companies, and Mountain State Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

Brouse spoke of three things: the LHU Factor, GPS, and Self-doubt. When referring to the LHU Factor, he fondly recalled the intimacy of the University. Dinners were family-style with fellow students, and there was unlimited faculty engagement. When referring to the GPS, he stated the business is always looking for the GPS, for the silver bullet. He encouraged students, “Develop your own GPS, allowing others to help you discover your way”. He encouraged students to see integrity, dedication, empathy, accountability and loyalty, as possessing those qualities will lead to a path of success. Lastly, Brouse encouraged students to be cautious of the perils of self-doubt, never be skeptical that they can succeed.

Donald Faulkner, a 1967 alumnus, serves as partner in the law firm of Snowiss, Steinberg & Faulkner, LLP, specializing in business, real estate, estate, and school law. He has presided as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Beech Creek National Bank and Board President of the YMCA, as well as board member of numerous organizations including the corporate board of Commonwealth Bank and regional boards for Meridian and Sovereign Banks. Mr. Faulkner served Lock Haven University and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education as former Chair of the Council of Trustees, and member of the Lock Haven University Foundation Board and Alumni Association.

As Mr. Faulkner looked around a room of fellow businessmen and women, family and friends, he boasted about his education at Lock Haven University. “LHU gave me an excellent education, even though at the time it was a teacher’s college. It had a broad-based foundation, and I was fully prepared to compete with those who attended more ‘prestigious’ colleges”.

The Business Hall of Fame celebration began April 3, 2014 with a panel discussion with the Hall of Fame inductees at the Hall of Flags in Robinson Hall. A luncheon was held on April 4th at the Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center where Mr. Mark Stern, ’88 alumnus and Program Advisory Council Member offered remarks throughout the program. President Michael Fiorentino, Jr. presented the inductees with their awards, stating the importance of welcoming back alumni to interact with students and show them the possibilities that awaits.

Following the luncheon was an unveiling of the Business Hall of Fame plaques, located on the second floor of Akeley Hall. Each inductee’s plaque highlights reasons why they were chosen for this distinguished honor.

For more information on the Lock Haven University Business Hall of Fame, please visit http://community.lhup.edu/comp_sci/halloffame.htm.

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

Back to top button