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Shirley Pechter
When designs for Penn State Altoona’s new classroom building incorporated a long-sought multi-purpose music studio that would be accessible to students for practice and rehearsals outside of class, Shirley Pechter, a trained classical pianist and lifelong patron of the arts, pledged generous financial support for the project, accepting the naming opportunity for the studio.
“I was pleased to be able to do this,” stated Pechter, who recalled her own difficulties in finding suitable places to rehearse while attending Goucher College in Maryland and the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. “Once Penn State Altoona became a four-year college, I felt that we should have everything here that is relevant to the arts.”
As a member of Penn State steering committees in New York City and Altoona during the Grand Destiny Campaign, Pechter offered wise counsel and distinguished leadership throughout the historic seven-year fundraising effort that raised an unprecedented $1.37 billion in private support for the University. She graciously volunteered to co-chair Penn State Altoona’s 65th anniversary celebration in 2004, drawing upon invaluable years of experience and expertise to skillfully direct “Jazz with a Pennsylvania Twist,” an exciting array of day-long activities, featuring special concerts and receptions.
Pechter’s dedication to Penn State and Penn State Altoona has remained steadfast since her marriage to late husband, Fred, a 1933 University graduate and loyal alumnus until his passing in 1994.
The children and grandchildren of Fred Pechter honored the family patriarch on his 80th birthday in 1991 by creating an endowed scholarship in Penn State’s College of Engineering. It was a fitting tribute to a proud University ambassador and benefactor. In 1999, Shirley Pechter established, in loving memory, the “Fred A. Pechter Endowed Scholarship” at Penn State Altoona to assist students in the engineering curriculum.
Pechter currently serves on the College’s Advisory Board and Development Council.
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