PATRICIA PARRELLA ORLANDO '68
“You could not find a person more deserving of this award than Pat Orlando,” writes classmate Penny Grelis Morrison. “Her love and support of Chestnut Hill College have been shown in many ways over the last 30-plus years.”
As a very young alumna, Pat served as the “dynamic president of the Delmo [Delaware and Montgomery Counties] Club, the most active group of the Alumnae Association at that time,” notes Elaine Bennett Davey ’65, former president of the Alumnae Association. Elections, chairmanships, and appointments rarely escaped her after that. For example, Pat soon found herself part of he committee that reorganized the Alumnae Association structure and the current presidential terms. It also recognized the national nature of the Association.
Elaine notes that Pat worked on many reunion weekends and later served as its chair, “a giant job,” in the 1970’s. She then served as the organizing president of the Delaware Valley Club, the new local chapter of the Association and successor to the Delmo Club. Pat took on the job of Fund Agent for her class, raising much-needed annual operating funds for the College. She was elected president of her class in the ’90s and served several terms on the Association Board of Directors. In 1990-1992, she was elected president of the Alumnae Association.
Pat was a member of the committee that established the annual November fundraiser/raffle party. She and Louie have hosted both that party and the summer Alumnae Association party at the shore. Her most recent major undertaking for the College has been as a member of the annual Golf Invitational Committee (1990-97) and as its chair in 1996 and 1997, “ a huge moneymaker for the College,” notes Elaine Davey. “Her leadership skills and can-do attitude have launched many a successful event,” Elaine comments. Pat’s name was a natural when members were suggested and recruited for the early stages of the Honors and Awards Committee. Once again, Pat responded to the call and served on this committee in its first year (1998-99) of operation.
How has Pat Orlando’s volunteerism affected Chestnut Hill? “In short,” Elaine Davey states, “Pat has been a workaholic for Chestnut Hill College and its faithful supporter for over three decades.” As Penny Morrison recalls, “Pat has devoted countless hours to every facet of CHC’s Alumnae Association — everything from being on the Board of Directors, to setting up tables and cleaning up after functions, and any task in between.” “Not only has she been loyal to Chestnut Hill, she also has loved the education and the talented people who taught her, and she has never forgotten that fact,” remarks Patricia Scattergood Burk ’65, former Association president. Her affection for the faculty, particularly the Sister faculty, is evident whenever one talks to Pat about the College. No one claims Pat’s affection more than Sister Eva Maria Lynch, in whose honor a scholarship fund was named several years ago — through the leadership and direction of biology graduate Pat Orlando.
Classmate Miriam Berry Moore recalls meeting Pat as a freshman in 1964. “…it was apparent at that time,” Miriam observes, that “Pat was a born leader and dedicated to the service of our class.” Some people never change. “Pat has the uncanny ability to ‘press others’ into service for a common good — a fact to which many members of the Class of 1968 would attest. With her dry humor and intense loyalty,” Miriam continues, “Pat is personally responsible for bring many dollars into the fundraising projects of CHC.”
Penny Morrison sums up: “Pat is a perfect example of the volunteer spirit.” Connie Parsons Wickersham ’68 attests that Pat “has always been most generous with her time and money always in the service of our beloved Chestnut Hill.” Teresa Clark Trudeau ’68 says that Pat’s “enthusiasm has inspired classmates to become involved, some of whom have remained very active in the Alumnae Association.”
All valid observations, but no one captures the true nature of Pat Orlando better than Sister Eva does. “Patty’s love and loyalty to the College are deeply imbedded in her heart. She strongly supported all the fundraising drives and social activities throughout the years. Yes, upon graduation, Patty left a piece of her heart at Chestnut Hill College.”
The Alumnae Association is proud to name Patricia Parrella Orlando ’68 the third recipient of the Eleanore Dolan Egan ’28 Award for Outstanding Service to Chestnut Hill College.
