Victor J. Orler Jr. of Hinsdale, Ill., has established a scholarship at his alma mater in honor of his parents. The Victor J. and Joan M. Orler Trustee Scholarship at Penn State McKeesport will provide support for students who need financial aid to attend the University.
"My parents have worked very hard their entire life to provide opportunities for my sisters and me and have shown us the importance of helping others. Establishing a scholarship in their name to provide opportunities for less-advantaged students is a great way to recognize them," said Orler.
Vic and Joan Orler Sr. live in the Westover Greens section of Norristown where they both are very active in the adult community.
The Trustee Scholarship Program was launched by the Penn State Board of Trustees to stimulate the creation of undergraduate scholarships. The University will match 5 percent of gifts or pledges in perpetuity, significantly increasing the impact and reach of the scholarship. The matching funds become available as soon as the donor signs a pledge form and scholarship guidelines, thus providing students with a source of almost immediate aid.
"This scholarship contribution is very important for students and families seeking higher education, particularly during these economic times, said Curtiss E. Porter, campus executive officer, Penn State McKeesport.
Victor J. Orler Jr. attended Penn State McKeesport from 1975-77. During his tenure at the campus, he was president of the Student Government Association and president of Delta Kappa Phi, a campus fraternity. Orler earned a degree in marketing from Penn State in 1979 and a master of business administration degree in finance and marketing from the University of Chicago in 1985. He is a retired partner in Accenture's Strategic Services practice in Chicago, where he specialized in working with consumer products companies in the areas of sales, marketing, customer service and retailing.
Orler and his wife, Patricia, live in Hinsdale, Ill., with their three sons, Victor III, Holden and Cooper. Upon retiring from his business career in August 2002, Orler joined his wife in focusing on volunteer service for many causes including the Midwest Children's Brain Tumor Center where Orler serves as chairman. Orler also founded a Mentor Program at Luther South High School in Chicago where he and his wife serve as mentors. In January, Orler began a three-year term on the Penn State McKeesport Advisory Board.