Alumni Joe ’84 and Terri (Wise) Koehler ’85 made their first gift to their alma mater not long after graduating from LHU nearly four decades ago.
For Terri, a first-generation college graduate turned lifelong educator, and Joe, an accomplished, 38-year IT (Information Technology) engineer, helping Lock Haven students overcome financial barriers to achieve professional successes has always been a cause close to their hearts.
For the first time in their nearly 40-year history of proudly supporting Lock Haven students, Joe and Terri have established a student scholarship: The Joey Koehler Educational Professional Experience Grant.
Professional Experience Grants (PEGs) are funded by donors and awarded by the Office of Alumni and Professional Engagement. They provide supplemental resources that break down barriers to experiential learning opportunities with subject matter experts in students’ intended field.
Unfortunately, some Lock Haven students—many of whom are first-generation or come from financially-limited families—are unable to benefit from these professional development opportunities to distinguish themselves because they cannot afford the travel, living expenses, and additional costs.
PEGs combat this increasingly challenging student hurdle, making high-impact, co-curricular, career-launching opportunities like faculty-mentored research, presenting research, corporate internships, leadership conferences, study abroad programs, and other professional development opportunities more accessible for students who are worthy of participation, but lack the funding to do so.
Named in honor of The Koehler’s deceased son, Joe III, “The Joey PEG” will support student teachers at The Haven on their journey to becoming educators. It will assist education majors with expenses like traveling for placement exams or student teaching, purchasing classroom supplies, obtaining background clearances and certifications, and other student teaching needs.
“Our nation is desperate for quality educators with a passion to teach,” says Joe. “We need them now more than ever. If our gift can alleviate financial pressure and allow students to focus more on their educational and professional success, well, then we will feel successful too.”
Says Terri, “LHU is in our DNA and as we are able to support the university in more ways, it makes us proud to make a difference at an institution that is at the core of who we are not only professionally, but personally.”
Among their many achievements, The Koehlers have proudly returned “Home to The Haven” every year since graduating. Joe is a former President of the LHU Alumni Association (2016-18) and currently sits on the LHUF Board of Directors. Terri has served on the LHUF Board and sits on the Alumni Association Board as a member of its Professional Engagement Committee.
In 2018, they were honored with the Lock Haven University Wagner Award at LHUF’s James C. Reeser Scholarship Celebration, in recognition of their decades of philanthropic support and service to LHU students.
Making their gift even more special, The Koehlers have pledged to fully endow “The Joey PEG” by 2025, ensuring the Lock Haven legacies of Joe, Terri, and Joey—who was accepted to The Haven, but never enrolled—carry on at The Haven forever.
The Lock Haven University Foundation recognizes “The Joey PEG” as the first Professional Experience Grant in LHUF’s 56-year history.