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George Herchenroether, Westminster Supporter and Trustee Emeritus, Turns 100

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Posted on Friday, October 23, 2015

On a warm summer day last year, George Herchenroether ’37, trustee emeritus who is celebrating his 100th birthday October 24, was given the chance to do anything he wanted that day. “Go to New Wilmington, have lunch at the Tavern, and visit Westminster,” he said without batting an eye.

“Of all the places he could have chosen that day, he chose one of his favorite places to reminisce,” said Jane Kirsch, George’s daughter. “So, we hopped in the car, drove to New Wilmington and sat in front of the Alpha Sigma Phi house. All of the stories he had told throughout the years leading up to this special moment with my dad - ones about his roommate, his Westminster experience, his forever friendships, and one of his most cherished memory…meeting my mom - came to life once again as we looked at the house that held so much history.”

When Herchenroether attended Westminster beginning in 1933, tuition was $250 per semester. Because of his academic achievement, he received a $125 per semester scholarship. In that time, his roommate and he rented a study room, bedroom and shared the bathroom with two, 75-year-old maiden ladies for $6 per month.  

“We ate at the fraternity house for $23.50 per month,” said Herchenroether. “We ate well because we were able to buy most of our meat and fresh food from the Amish farmers in New Wilmington.”

Herchenroether, who graduated with a degree in business administration, shared that his time at Westminster was “a very happy experience.”

“Classes were interesting and sure opened up new horizons. Social life was built around the fraternities and sororities,” continued Herchenroether. “It was not until the spring of my senior year that I met Margaret Aileen England ‘40 of New Castle, Pa.”

After Herchenroether graduated from Westminster, he patiently waited for his future wife to graduate. While waiting, he worked at Boggs & Buhl, a department store. Then, World War II began and Herchenroether enlisted in the Navy. Two years later, after attaining the rank as lieutenant, he returned from war with no job. Thankfully, his neighbor, who was a manufactures representative, landed him the connection to his first customer as a manufactures representative.

In 1958, his experience in the field of sales lead him to starting his own company as president, George H. Herchenroether & Company, a manufacturing representatives firm that sold metal fasteners (nuts and bolts) and custom plastic parts in western Pa., which later expanded into Ohio and West Virginia. After 40 years of leadership and ownership, he sold his business when his wife, who was his secretary in the business’s start-up years, became ill. Herchenroether was actively involved in Westminster College’s Board from 1974 until 1991 when he was elected Trustee Emeritus. Among his many professional and personal endeavors, one that is still leaving its mark today is his encouragement for leading generations upon generations of people to Westminster’s future of learning.

“We pause today to say Happy Birthday to a cherished member of the Westminster College family,” said Matthew Stinson, vice president for institutional advancement. “George represents all of the enduring and exceptional traits we celebrate about the greatest generation. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to George and the entire Herchenroether family for their unwavering and timeless support of our beloved Mother Fair.”