MICHAEL J. PENNINGTON ’07
“I love Dickinson—it’s a huge part of my life—and I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to the college because of everything Dickinson has given to me.”
Majored in political science and policy management. Donated funds in his grandmother’s memory to the library. Participated in varsity men’s tennis, musical theatre, choir, Student Senate and The Dickinsonian. Studied abroad in London. Was selected as a Dickinson Admissions Volunteer Society (DAVS) member. Elected class president all four years and was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa. Earned master’s degrees in education and human resource management from Saint Francis University—was top student in his class for both graduate degrees. Coached at Juniata College and Penn State Altoona while serving in several administrative roles. Now director of experiential education and pre-law advising services at Villanova University, while also teaching undergraduate courses. Leads Phi Beta Kappa Sigma of Pennsylvania chapter at Villanova by serving as faculty president. Has attended every Dickinson Homecoming & Family Weekend since 2003. Serves Dickinson as an Alumni Council member and class correspondent. Earned 2014 Dickinson College Class Correspondent of the Year Award. Supports the college as a loyal member of the Mermaid Society and the Old West Society. Became a member of the John Dickinson Society as a student.
Linda Goodridge Steckley ’63
“The mission of philanthropy is to give people the opportunity to do something of value, potentially something transformational—to touch the lives of people they may never know. And through a combination of annual giving and endowment, we have the opportunity to make an impact both in the present and over time.”
Majored in English. Taught middle school in rural South Florida, during rollout of desegregation programs in that region’s schools. While raising two children, co-founded a cooperative preschool and coordinated political campaigns for county commissioner and the U.S. Senate. Earned an M.B.A. at the University of Miami School of Business Administration, where she worked directing fundraising and alumni relations, launching a 35-year career in philanthropy with positions at Miami, New York and Duke universities; the Brookings Institution; and Chautauqua Institution. Serves on the boards of the Fund for Education Abroad and Roger Tory Peterson Institute for Natural History. Started endowed fund at Dickinson supporting the Women’s & Gender Resource Center in honor of her mother; also supports the Dickinson Fund at the John Dickinson Society level and the Durden International Initiatives Fund.