Albert L. Evans Jr. was awarded the Honorary Alumni Award at a celebration held June 5 and 6 at the University Park campus of Penn State.
The Penn State Alumni Association has granted the Honorary Alumni Award since 1973 to recognize individuals who, while not graduates of Penn State, have significantly worked toward bettering the University. Since the award was established, more than 100 individuals have been granted Honorary Alumni status.
Evans has worked in the transportation industry for more than 50 years. Today, he is chairman of the board of a prominent company that is headquartered in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, the Evans Network of Companies. Under Evans’ leadership, the company has become the largest privately owned intermodal drayage (short-distance) carrier in the country. Its fleet of vehicles has grown considerably since “Truck One” and “Truck Two” rumbled across the Schuylkill County roads. It now operates with 3,000 trucks in 165 nationwide locations, concentrated in port cities and major rail hubs. It is an all-in-the-family business with son-in-law Bo Bates as chief executive officer, son Albert as corporate attorney, and two grandsons Matthew Bates, vice president of safety, and Ryan Bates, staff counsel, all on staff.
Evans is a big supporter of Penn State Schuylkill. The strong ties to the campus began nearly 30 years ago when his company began hiring graduates and interns. “We’ve hired some wonderful Penn State grads,” said Evans.