When I first volunteered on the Festival’s trash crew, way back in the 1980s, I had no idea that it was the start of a long journey that would eventually lead to my serving as the Festival’s executive director.
Stupid me. I thought I was just doing a bit of community service with my fellow members of the State College Jaycees.
And as journeys eventually do, mine is coming to an end.
I’ll be retiring as the Festival’s executive director at the end of January 2023.
“Wait, how can you possibly do that, you’re so young!’
I’ve heard this time and time again from people who are, for the most part, older than me.
While I appreciate the compliment, I’m plenty old.
Every year, I’m shocked at much younger Penn State students get. Then I stop and realize that college students aren’t getting younger; I’m getting older.
I look at old photos of myself and marvel that not only was I ever that skinny, but also that my hair was ever that color.
And just the other day I had a piece of junk mail (yes, an actual piece of paper) about purchasing a headstone. Yes, as in the kind that are sold by Rock of Ages Quarry in Graniteville, Vermont. It made me nostalgic for the days when I just got junk mail from AARP!
While I’m not quite ready to answer that junk mail from the Rock of Ages Quarry, I am ready to hand off the leadership of the Festival to its next director.
I’m able to retire because the Festival is in very good hands. My co-workers Carol Baney, our Director of Operations, and Jennifer Shuey, our Director of Development are great at what they do. They’re bright, creative, and hardworking. They make me look good.
Our board of directors, led by Dr. Renata Engel, Penn State’s Vice Provost for Online Education, is made of thoughtful and involved men and women. They understand the importance of the Festival to the community. Our board couldn’t be more supportive of our staff.
Our oodles (that’s a technical term) of volunteers are second to none. Seemingly effortlessly, they take care of more behind the scenes tasks than I can count, both at the Festival in July and at First Night State College. The pride they take in their work is impressive.
Our staff, board, and volunteers did an outstanding job keeping the Festival alive during the pandemic, when, for two years, we couldn’t do what we do—bring people together to celebrate the joy that art and music bring into each of our lives. It was through combined efforts of our staff, board, and volunteers that our 2022 Festival was such a success.
Our board is undertaking a search for the Festival’s next Executive Director. You can read about it here.
The Festival’s next director has a solid foundation to build upon. If you (someone you know) are passionate about community, the arts, don’t mind hard work, and like throwing a party, you should consider applying. It’s a great gig.
I’m looking forward to being a part of the Festival audience next July to see –and hear– the wonderful things the new team will have in store for us. I hope you are too!