ELLEN "SPERKY" WHITESIDE BYRNE '56
Each year the Eleanore Dolan Egan ’28 Award is presented to an alumna who exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism for our beloved alma mater. The choice for 2006 is clearly a woman who has devoted herself to Chestnut Hill College for 50 years.
Ellen “Sperky” Whiteside Byrne, Class of 1956, is certainly deserving of the great honor that the Alumnae and Alumni Association is bestowing upon her today.
Sperky has given generously of her time and talents to Chestnut Hill since her graduation in 1956. She was elected class president shortly afterwards and is holding that position again today – almost 50 years later.
Over the years, Sperky has served and led the Alumnae Association in many capacities. She has been elected by her fellow alumnae to the Board of Directors several times and, in fact, is currently completing yet another term on the board. Because of her leadership qualities and dedication to Chestnut Hill College, Sperky was asked to serve as president of the Alumnae Association, not only for one term, but also for two.
While a director on the alumnae board, Sperky shared her expertise and knowledge of the Association by working on the By-Laws Committee many times, as well as on the Nominating Committee. Every anniversary gala that Chestnut Hill College has celebrated has benefited by Sperky’s touch, because she has served on every committee. As stated by one of her fellow alumnae, she “has gone above and beyond the call of duty.”
Sperky did manage, in between all her time spent at Chestnut Hill College, to have a bustling family life. She has been married for nearly 50 years to Robert Byrne, with whom she has raised five children: Robert, Jr., David, Eileen, Barbara, and Maribeth.
Sperky, who graduated with a degree in chemistry from Chestnut Hill, has taught over the years at Mount Saint Joseph Academy and for the Springfield Township and Wissahickon School Districts. She credits her teaching career, and her philosophy of caring for the “whole person,” to the dedication of her chemistry teachers at Chestnut Hill College.
And, so, the Alumnae and Alumni Association celebrates the good work and devotion of Ellen “Sperky” Whiteside Byrne for Chestnut Hill College with the Egan Award of 2006. On this happy occasion of the 50th Anniversary of her graduation, which she has helped to plan, Sperky can look back on her many achievements and memories and be proud. The current president, Suzanne Schulz Dressler ’71, has called Sperky a “legend” at CHC, and therefore it is fitting that she be given this cherished award.
The Alumnae & Alumni Association of Chestnut Hill College is proud to name Ellen “Sperky” Whiteside Byrne ’56 recipient of the Eleanore Dolan Egan ’28 Award for Outstanding Service to Chestnut Hill College.
