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Lourene and Jim Nevels inspire a scholarship campaign at Manor College, and Leslie Turner, 2020 graduation keynote speaker, pledges $100,000 for first-generation student scholarships.  Leading up to fall of 2021 at Manor College there will be thousands of dollars available to first-generation students from underserved communities because of the generosity of Lourene and Jim Nevels.  After the Manor College 2020 Virtual Gala this past November, Lourene and Jim opened the Nevels Family and Friends Fund for first-generation college students like themselves. They also launched an  amazing challenge: “Match our generosity,” they told our community. They started their benevolence at Manor with a $100,000 gift to Manor’s Veterinary Technology Program renovation project, and they called on the Community at large  to give the same to their new scholarship fund. The scholarship fund is a separate fund from the Veterinary Technology Renovation Fund started by the Nevels.  The scholarship fund started by the Nevels addresses direct tuition needs. “Our community came through. We exceeded the goal to raise nearly 50% more than planned with almost $150,000! What an amazing start to a fund that will provide thousands in support every year for years to come!” said Kelly Peiffer, VP of Marketing, Communications and Advancement for Manor College. Dr. Jonathan Peri, President of Manor College, expressed deep gratitude for the support this funding will provide to students who are underrepresented in higher education. “The Nevels are a beacon of hope to students who otherwise cannot afford college. Students can be strongly encouraged to enroll now with the peace of mind needed that they can really, really do it & really, really afford it..” Jim Nevels said, “We are thrilled that so many caring members of the Manor Community and the Community more broadly took up our challenge–and achieved so much more than we could have ever imagined! Education is the key to a better life, especially for those who might otherwise be left behind. Lourene and I are honored to stand with everyone who believes this and demonstrates their compassion. Thank you, Manor Community!” Leslie Turner, who gave Manor College’s keynote speech at its 2020 Graduation Ceremony, was particularly moved by the challenge from her friends, the Nevels. Under the auspices of the Nevels Family and Friends Fund, she has started a scholarship for first-generation students with a pledge of $100,000. Indeed, this transformative gift placed Manor’s results far beyond what we had anticipated.  “I believe strongly in Manor College and the life-changing opportunities Manor offers to students throughout the region,” Leslie says. “The efforts of the College to personalize education and encourage underserved and underrepresented students need to be supported.  I am delighted to join in the Nevels Fund Campaign and help bring more students to ManorCollege to achieve their dreams.” Dr. Peri added, “We look forward to this scholarship helping year after year.”

The holiday season may seem monumentally different this year, but the sense of holiday spirit is still found within the Manor College community. The College has been continuing traditions in a novel format this year.  Giving Tuesday  This year, the charity Manor College chose to support for Giving Tuesday was The Breathing Room Foundation, an organization that provides care and support to families affected by cancer by taking care of their most important needs. Members of the Manor community were able to view the Amazon Wish List for the foundation and send items directly to the organization. $2,000 in items were donated! Thomas Sims, Donor Relations Officer, stated, “Every Giving Tuesday, we look forward to supporting families in need. This year, we partnered with an organization that helps people the most in need. It was so good to see the Manor College community make this wish list fulfillment possible.” Student American Dental Hygienists’ Club Toy Drive The Student American Dental Hygienists’ Club hosted a toy drive for children in need in the community. Dental Hygiene student and club member, Stacy Mulholland, stated, “I just kept thinking of all these children who may wake up for the first time this year without gifts from Santa.” The drive has collected over 211 gifts so far. 12 Days of Manor Giveaways Each year, the Office of Marketing Communications at Manor College hosts a giveaway held on the Manor College Facebook page where members of the community answer the question and are entered to win the prize of the day. One of the daily questions that was asked was “What is your favorite thing about Manor College?” Kareena B, stated. “As an international student, Manor welcomed me with open arms. Everyone was warm and friendly. You never felt like you didn’t belong because we were all one big family.” The giveaway is currently underway and not only fostering a spirit of togetherness and cheer, but this year Manor is giving away TWO prizes per day!  Week of Cheer For Faculty and Staff Since the majority of Manor’s faculty and staff members are working remotely, the College planned a virtual “Week of Cheer” for employees to have holiday related activities to do together! The week included quirky and virtual activities for the community to participate in, activities such as: Cookie Recipe Exchange, Live Zoom Holly Jolly Trivia, A Gingerbread House Making Night, and even Christmas Stories with Santa (you will want to check that one out).  Holiday Greetings Video  Lastly, faculty, staff, students and trustees submitted holiday greetings and messages of cheer that were collected and made into this video. 

When you ask Stacy Mulholland, a Manor College Dental Hygiene student, about the Toy Drive she is leading for the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Club fundraiser, her face lights up immediately. The toy drive will benefit children from families in need and will be running through December 18.  Every year there are families who struggle around the holidays. Many families have been facing unforeseen financial hardships. In the midst of this, children are suffering as well. Suffering because they can’t play with friends, they can’t go to school and family get-togethers have come to a halt. Stacy stated, “I just kept thinking of all these children who may wake up for the first time this year without gifts from ‘Santa’ ’or their parents.” Children do not have the ability to understand that their parents couldn’t buy gifts this year because they had to pay their rent or mortgage, or because they only had enough money for food. Mulholland stated, “A quote I once came across hopefully will inspire others like it has me, ‘If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life.’”Stacy says the most obvious goal of this toy drive is to help as many families in need this year. There are so many families in need as a result of job losses from COVID-19 on top of families already relying on the help of others. Christmas is about giving, and what better way than to give to the little people who help keep the spirit of Christmas alive. When asked why she is passionate about this, Mulholland replied, “Oh wow.  I don’t even know where to start. I myself am a mother of four children. I can’t even begin to imagine how helpless and sad I would feel if I was ever in a position where I had to choose between feeding my family and giving them a few small gifts to wake up to on Christmas morning (or for Hanukkah). There are so many people out there struggling and I want to help keep the spirit of Christmas alive in the hearts of these children in need.”  Mulholland hopes that the community sees how one small act of kindness has a ripple effect and how much good can come out of something that starts out so small.  The Toy Drive has collected 100 gifts so far and received a $500 donation. Want to donate?  Find our amazon wish list at www.amazon.com/registries Type in “Manor College” for registrant Name and Select “Custom Gift List” Shop for gifts! Please make sure to have gifts delivered to Manor College Attn: SADHA Toy Drive All gifts must be received by December 18th to ensure proper delivery. Questions? Email Stacy at spacheco-mulholland@manor.edu or Samantha at samantha.hawe@manor.edu.

Manor College Honors Jim and Lourene Nevels at First-Ever Evening with Manor, Virtual Gala Humble. Caring. A Passion for Education. These are just some of the many glowing tributes made to Jim and Dr. Lourene Nevels that were discussed when meeting with nearly 25 of the couples’ nearest and dearest friends.  Jim and Dr. Lourene Nevels, a couple from Swarthmore, PA, were the honorees for this year’s Evening with Manor, Virtual Gala. On Thursday, November 12 at 7 p.m., over 275 viewers from two countries and 15 states tuned in via livestream to honor this very special couple. Former President, Jimmy Carter, even had a message for the Nevels. The Nevels have been unbelievably generous to the Manor College Veterinary Technology Program, and it is because of their love of animals and nature. They have spent much time at their home in Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania, fly fishing and enjoying the outdoors. Lourene has written a book about one of their dogs and for over two decades has been a docent at the Philadelphia Zoo. “It’s no wonder these two have been such a transformative power for our Veterinary Technology program,” said Stephanie Marks, DVM, director of the program. “They have helped to completely create a new space for our program, which was the vision for Dr. Joanna Bassert, Manor’s former director of the Vet Tech program. She envisioned a dedicated and modern space for our students, and the Nevels helped make that a reality.” Jim Nevels is the Chairman of the Swarthmore Group, a Philadelphia-based investment advisory firm, which he founded in 1991. Mr. Nevels serves on the Board of Directors of two public companies — Alcoa Corporation and WestRock (Lead Independent Director from 2017-2019). He is also a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Presidential Advisory Committee, OFR Financial Research Advisory Committee and the Council on Foreign Relations. In addition, Mr. Nevels serves on the Board of Trustees at Manor College.  Dr. Lourene Nevels has spent her professional career as a licensed psychologist in private practice, as Director and Staff Psychologist at the Counseling and Personal Development Center at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and as Adjunct Faculty in Graduate Education and Psychology also at St. Joe’s. Dr. Nevels also spends time volunteering as the President, Docent Council, at the Philadelphia Zoo.  “We could not have honored a more humble and authentically committed, influential couple for this year’s gala program,” says Jonathan Peri, Ph.D., President at Manor College. “The Nevels have been such a force for good not only in the Philadelphia region, but around our country! And we are blessed to have Jim on our Board of Trustees. Their generosity, their commitment to fair access to higher education, their resolve to stand with underrepresented and underserved young people who truly need a chance to succeed–this is what makes them great. It is why we honored them. And what did they do? They honored us in return. Their compassion and grace are a blessing to Manor’s students and mission.” As the college’s first virtual gala event, the buzz of excitement was felt from all. Attendees were able to express their messages of gratitude to the beloved couple in the chat section. The Chris Stevens Band provided some excellent music throughout the night. Attendees were able to bid on raffle baskets including a basket from Iron Hill Brewery in Huntingdon Valley, a bicycle from Keswick Cycle, a grill and so much more. Attendees also had the option to purchase a gala gourmet box, provided by Glenside’s own Trevi BYOB.  “Wow. Wow. Wow!” Jim and Lourene had responded to the evening. “We were overwhelmed by this honor. But we insist that this gala is in honor of all the wonderful work Manor College does for first-generation college students, like we were. Somebody had to help us get our chance, and we challenge all of you to do like we have and give another person their shot.” A record amount of money was raised from the evening. 100% of these proceeds from the raffle will support the Lourene and Jim Nevels Family and Friends Scholarship fund. This is a new fund at Manor College that focuses on supporting first-generation college students. Did you miss the event? Watch the entire program here or watch all the amazing tributes to this most endearing couple here. 

Manor College has recently been ranked #3 on the list of safest colleges in the country by StateUniversity.com. This list is compiled by analyzing Cleary and FBI data  on the following categories: the number of weapon occurances, drugs, burglary, vehicle theft, arson, larceny, robert, non-forcible rape and more. Other colleges included on the list are Kent State University, Gordon College, Foothill College and Massachusetts School of Law. With over 4,500 institutions nationwide, being listed as the top 3 for safety is truly something remarkable for Manor College. Dr. Jonathan Peri, President of Manor College, stated “Manor College has a long-standing reputation as one of the safest colleges in Pennsylvania.“ said Manor College President, Jonathan Peri, JD, PhD. “ This new acknowledgment recognizes Manor’s rightful place in national safety rankings. It is fitting, as we are also the best priced private college in Pennsylvania, we are local, and our faculty are hands-on. Really, anyone who is thinking about college in these times should have Manor College at the top of their list.” Allison Mootz, Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs stated, “All of us at Manor pride ourselves on the safety of our campus community and our ranking of 3rd on the list of Safest College shows that the hard work of our Public Safety staff, our Compliance Manager, and all staff, faculty, and students continues to pay off. We are blessed to have a community that cares so deeply about each other and we are proud of this distinction.” The college community is excited about this ranking and gives credit to the diligent Public Safety team who work tirelessly to keep Manor College safe. Learn more about Public Safety at Manor College here.