A Gift from the Heart

She and her husband started four scholarships –
and opened possibilities for generations to come.

Joyce Kutz Wehr ’46 left Kutztown University Foundation its largest gift thus far, through a bequest of $2,402,063 after her January 1, 2016 passing at age 89.  Prior to this bequest, the largest single gift in the Foundation’s history was $1,577,991, received in 1996 from our benefactor Arthur L. Wiesenberger.

According to Executive Director Alex Ogeka, “The generosity of our donors is what enables the Kutztown University Foundation to provide hundreds of scholarships each year to outstanding, deserving students.  Joyce Kutz Wehr ’46 has created an extraordinary legacy, and through her philanthropy, many of our students will see their dreams come true, not just today but for years to come.”

A graduate of Kutztown High School, Wehr spent 34 years teaching in the Allentown School District after getting her degree in Elementary Education from Kutztown State Teachers College.  She and her husband Charles A. Wehr established four different scholarships for KU students – having previously contributed over $90,000 through the years.  She also served two terms on the Alumni Association Board near its start.

Wehr was the daughter of John W. and Sadie E. (Hartman) Kutz, both of whom graduated from the Keystone State Normal School, in 1912 and 1920.  Following her retirement in 1981, Wehr continued her interest in education, maintaining a life membership in the PA State Education Association and the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.

The scholarships she and Charles left to KU students are:

• The John and Sadie Kutz Scholarship, established in 1987 to honor her parents
• The Calvin E. Afflerbach & Mamie H. Afflerbach Scholarship, established in 1991
• The Kutz-Henderson ’70 Scholarship, established in 1994 to honor Wehr’s mother Sadie and daughter Nancy
• The Charles A. and Joyce Kutz Wehr ’46 Scholarship, established in 2000

“This remarkable gift is the living legacy of a woman who dedicated her life to teaching,” said Kenneth S. Hawkinson, the president of Kutztown University. “What she has done is to extend her ability to assist students for generations to come.  This is a wonderful gesture and we are deeply grateful for her support of our students and her confidence in Kutztown University’s ability to produce the highest quality educators.”