Scranton alumna Darlene Dunay reelected to Penn State Alumni Council
Darlene Dunay, a 1979 Penn State graduate of the Eberly College of Science and a longtime supporter of Penn State Scranton, has been reelected to the Penn State Alumni Council, the governing body of the Penn State Alumni Association. She began her three-year term on July 1.
Dunay was one of seven alumni leaders elected by fellow alumni to serve on the council, receiving 3,074 votes in the election certified by YesElections. A total of 7,318 alumni voted out of 142,173 eligible voters. During her previous term, Dunay served on the council's Membership and Marketing Committee.
The Alumni Council is an all-volunteer governing body that advises and guides the Alumni Association on programs and initiatives that uphold its mission of service and support to Penn State. Alumni members of the Alumni Association are eligible to vote in the annual election, which takes place online. Council members serve three-year terms and play a key role in shaping the direction of alumni engagement across the University.
Dunay began her Penn State journey as a biology student in the 2+2 degree plan at Penn State Scranton. She has actively been involved with the campus, supporting student initiatives, such as creating care packages for the campus’ THON dancers every year, which she personally delivers to them on campus before they depart for THON weekend, and serving as a past chair and emeritus member of the Penn State Scranton Advisory Board. She also has mentored students in the Eberly College of Science pursuing careers in health care.
Recently, Dunay was inducted into the Lambda Omicron Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) Honor Society, a national honor society for first-generation students and alumni of Penn State Scranton, where she serves as a preceptor for first-generation students.
Her leadership roots trace back to her undergraduate years, when she served as president of Penn State Scranton's Student Government Association, and then as coordinator of Campus Student Governments at University Park for two years.
“I encourage students to continue to engage in any leadership activities to help promote their careers and their college experience,” Dunay said.
Dunay and her husband, Anthony Wastella, are members of the campus' Ridge View Society, which was established in 2000 to recognize Penn State Scranton's most generous benefactors, and the University's President’s Club, whose members are both graduates and friends of the University whose gifts total $2,500 or more during that fiscal year They also have sponsored scholarships at Penn State Scranton, including the Patrick J. Rose Award for Excellence in Student Leadership and Service and the Darlene Ann Dunay Scholarship.
A fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Dunay serves as vice president of the Northeastern Medical Society and operates a solo family medicine practice in Old Forge, Pennsylvania.
“My purpose on being on the Alumni Council is to promote the value of the Commonwealth Campuses in our alumni base,” Dunay said. “I feel that Penn State has provided a platform for networking for students and alumni that has helped their career development. As a member of the Alumni Council, I support the academic excellence and the vast opportunities that Penn State offers.”
For more information about the Alumni Council and to read about all newly elected members, visit the Penn State Alumni Association’s website.