An endowment to West Virginia University’s Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering will assist students interested in studying energy efficiency.

Frank Cerminara, who earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources in 1970, and his wife, the former Susan Klatskin , a 1969 alum, have created the Frank and Susan Klatskin Cerminara Endowment in the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

Their gift will be matched by funds from The Hershey Company and is expected to be matched by the West Virginia Research Trust Fund for a total of $100,000.
Cerminara started his long career at The Hershey Company in 1972 as a budget analyst. Through the years, he was responsible for mergers and acquisitions as well as the procurement of all commodities. He retired as senior vice president and chief financial officer in December 2005.

“Susan I are privileged to have attended WVU and are delighted to endow a permanent fund that will contribute to engineering students for many years to come,” said Frank Cerminara. “We understand the value of our education from this fine University.” The couple met while working as resident assistants at WVU.

This is not the first gift the Cerminara’s have made to the IMSE Department. In 2003, they established the Frank and Susan Cerminara Opportunity Fund, the largest gift ever given to the department. The gift provides recognition scholarships for sophomore, junior and senior students, as well as supports the faculty in WVU’s IMSE Department.

“This new endowment will enhance the educational experience of students in industrial engineering, especially in the area of energy efficiency,” said Wafik Iskander, chair of the Department of Industrial ad Management Systems Engineering. “We are grateful to Frank and his wife, Susan, for their continued support of our Department.”

Throughout his distinguished career Cerminara served on various boards and has been honored with awards for both his abilities in business as well as his work in the community. He served on the Board of Managers of the Coffee, Sugar and Cocoa Exchange and on multiple committees of the Chocolate Manufacturers Association. Cerminara also served as president of the Hershey Area Kiwanis Club.

In 2005, Cerminara was named among “America’s Best CFOs,” by Institutional Investor magazine. He was given a key to the city in his hometown of Follansbee, W.Va., in 2002 and also served as the grand marshal of the annual Community Days Parade. Cerminara was inducted into the Academy of Industrial Engineers at WVU in 1994 and the Academy of Distinguished Alumni in 2006.

The gift was made through the WVU Foundation, the private non-profit corporation that generates and provides support for West Virginia University.

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CONTACT: Mary C.Dillon
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