President’s Distinguished Medals to be Presented at 125th Anniversary Dinner

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Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on May 11, 2018, No Comments

East Stroudsburg University President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D., announced today the recipients of the inaugural President’s Distinguished Medals: Robert M. Moses of Shawnee On Delaware, William B. Cramer, Esq. of Stroudsburg, and the R. Dale and Frances M. Hughes Foundation of Stroudsburg. These recipients will be honored for their commitment and work that has exemplified the values of ESU during the university’s 125th Anniversary Celebration Dinner on October 25, 2018, at Stroudsmoor Country Inn.

Established by Dr. Welsh, the university medal will be awarded in three categories: a community leader, a corporation/foundation, and a current or retired faculty/staff member. A call for nominations went out to the campus and local communities in January and dozens of nominations for the awards were accepted and reviewed by a selection committee with the final honorees being announced today. The President’s Distinguished Medal is the highest honor the university can award to an individual or organization and is presented at the discretion of the president. Award criteria is based on the nominee’s commitment and work that exemplifies the values of ESU.

“We are fortunate to have received numerous nominations in all categories for the awards. It goes to show you there are many wonderful, giving people and businesses that continue to have a defined positive impact on the lives of others,” said Welsh. “While all are deserving of the honor in some way, the selection of Bob Moses, Bill Cramer, and the Hughes Foundation, brings us great joy. They truly demonstrate a commitment to the principles of intellectual integrity, freedom of expression, the fair and equal treatment of all, good citizenship, and environmental stewardship.”

Alumni, friends, and members of the community are invited to participate in ESU’s 125th Anniversary Celebration being held at Terraview at Stroudsmoor Country Inn in Stroudsburg, Pa. as event sponsors or attendees. Hosted by President Welsh and the ESU Foundation, the event begins at 6 p.m. and includes a cocktail reception, dinner, awards, a champagne toast and dessert reception. Honorary chairs for the celebration are Pat ’67 and Joan M’64 Ross, long-time community leaders and philanthropists. Pat is also chair and member of the ESU Council of Trustees. Proceeds from the event will benefit student scholarships.

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION

To date, sponsors for the celebration include Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union, CryoConcepts, LP, The Haverford Trust Company, Ann and Joseph Farda Foundation, Lehigh Valley Steelhawks, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Stroudsmoor Country Inn, Paul and Judy Schuchman, Joe Bosack & Co., Martz Group, and William H. Clark Funeral Home.  Additional event and table sponsorships are available. Contact Lianna DeSantis ’08, director of Corporation and Foundation Relations, at ldesantis1@esu.edu or 570-422-3179.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are $150 per person and will be available for sale beginning June 1. To be added to the ticket waiting list, contact Event Coordinator Emily Brennan at ebrennan8@esu.edu or 570-422-3156.

ABOUT THE HONOREES

Robert M. Moses
Retired Faculty/Staff Member Category

During his 42-year tenure at ESU, Robert M. “Bob” Moses was involved with multiple aspects of the university and the community-at-large. His career highlights include receiving many community service awards from the American Cancer Society such as the “President’s Award,” “Volunteer of the Year Award,” and the “Lifetime Achievement Award.” He received the “Humanitarian of the Year” award from the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, and the “Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Faculty-Staff” from ESU.

Bob is currently a member and chair of several boards such as the Sterling Strauser Gallery Committee at ESU. He is the fundraising lead for various university and community organizations such as the United Way, American Cancer Society, and Planned Parenthood of Northeast Pennsylvania. At ESU, he was instrumental in expanding the housing inventory of the Residence Life department. The expansion included the University Ridge Apartments, and three suite-style residence halls:  Hawthorn, Hemlock and Sycamore Suites.

Recently, Bob established the Kathy Moses ’80 M’96 Elementary Education Memorial Endowed Scholarship for students in the elementary education program. He also supports, and has established several other scholarships that contribute to the well-being of ESU’s students. He retired from his position as director of residence life and housing this year and remains active in the ESU and local communities through his membership with the various boards. He resides in Shawnee on Delaware, Pa., and has two sons, Jeffrey and Christopher Moses.

William B. Cramer, Esq.
Community Leader Category

William “Bill” Cramer was a founding member of the ESU Foundation Board of Directors in 1986. He is an attorney and partner at the Cramer Swetz McManus & Jordon P.C. practice in Stroudsburg, Pa.

Bill serves on many community boards, including the Salvation Army, Pocono Health Foundation, the United Way, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Kiwanis Club. He is the recipient of multiple awards from the community such as the “Mattioli Philanthropy Award” from the United Way of Monroe County, the “Presidential Award for Philanthropy” from Pocono Health System, and the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce’s “Citizen of the Year Award.”

Bill established and supports three ESU Foundation scholarships. He has been a member of the ESU Foundation Board since 2014, after initially serving from its inception in 1986 until 2001. Bill resides in Stroudsburg, Pa. with his wife, Barbara. They have two children: Jennifer Cramer Hatch, and Mark Cramer, and three grandchildren.

The R. Dale and Frances M. Hughes Foundation
Corporation/Foundation Category

The R. Dale and Frances M. Hughes Foundation was established in 1997 by Dale and Frances Hughes. The foundation’s mission is to collaborate with local non-profit agencies to improve the health, education, and quality of life of Monroe County residents.

Dale Hughes and his wife, Frances, gave $1.2 million in 2000 for the original Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center. In 2007 Frances gave $1 million toward the construction of the Warren E. ’55 and Sandra Hoeffner Science and Technology Center at ESU.

The foundation has supported community initiatives which include the new Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center, the Eastern Monroe Public Library, and Northampton Community College’s new Monroe Campus.

The foundation supports both ESU and the community by contributing toward the improvement of the baseball and softball fields at the Creekview Park complex. The foundation also provided funding for the 3D printer located in ESU’s G3 Design Lab, and scholarship opportunities for Monroe County students at ESU and NCC.

Since its inception, the foundation has provided significant funding to ESU, and many community non-profit organizations. Kevin Hughes currently serves as the president of the foundation, his wife, Patricia and sons, Scott and Carl, are the family trustees.

For more information on events being held in recognition of ESU’s 125th anniversary, visit www.esu.edu/125.