Rosemary Deniken Blankley ’57
Award-Winning Volunteer and Campaign Co-Chair
Rosemary Deniken Blankley '57 believes education is the basis of life, and that is why she has given so loyally to her alma mater for the last 50 years. "Students now need more help than we needed," she says of her reasons for giving. "Education is essential to making a life for yourself."
Since her graduation, Blankley has volunteered in a variety of positions at Arcadia, including Class Editor, Fund Agent, Life Trustee, and National Chair of the Annual Fund. In 2006, she received the prestigious Ernest T. Stewart Award from the Council for Advancement and Support Education (CASE), recognizing her for exceptional overall service to her alma mater. This award is the highest honor CASE gives to a volunteer alumnus/alumna. "Organizations need help," she says. "Volunteering is a reward to yourself and keeps you growing."
On top of faithfully serving as a volunteer, Blankley also has contributed to Arcadia every year since her graduation. It is no surprise then, that she wanted to get involved with At Home & In the World—Th e Campaign for Arcadia University. In addition to her role as a Campaign Steering Committee Co-Chair, she and her husband, Walter, have donated more than $1 million to the Campaign.
Of the Campaign's goals, Blankley says she is most excited about the new University Commons because it will give students and faculty a central location in which they can foster social and academic connections.
As a student herself, Blankley was drawn to the school because of both the camaraderie felt amongst students and faculty and the athletic opportunities. While playing basketball, lacrosse and fi eld hockey and serving as President of the Athletic Association, she became an integral part of the Arcadia community and developed a lifelong commitment to giving back.
Not only have the organizations she has helped benefi ted from her work, but Blankley herself has benefi ted in many ways. "I enjoy volunteering," says Blankley. "It not only keeps me young, but allows me to stay in touch with the people and organizations that are so important to me. Every day, I look forward to seeing where I can help."
