BLOOMSBURG - Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania recently recognized an alumnus' generosity by naming a lobby in his honor.
The renovated Sutliff Hall's Joe Rado Lobby pays tribute to Joe Rado, president and CEO of WORLD electronics in Reading, a manufacturer of industrial controls. A 1963 BU graduate, Rado is supporting the ongoing efforts of the College of Business with a donation of $250,000 to the Bloomsburg University Foundation. Sutliff Hall, home to BU's College of Business, will be completed in August.
Before entering the business world, Rado was a longtime physical education teacher and former head wrestling coach at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School.
Rado has supported the university not only financially, but through his many years of service on the College of Business Advisory Board and, most recently, the university's Alumni Board of Directors.
"Joe has been most generous in his time and his gifts to Bloomsburg University," said BU President David Soltz, "and he continues to be a tremendous supporter of the College of Business. We are proud to recognize and thank him for his dedication to Bloomsburg University with the Joe Rado Lobby in Sutliff Hall."
Rado's relationship with Bloomsburg University began when he was an undergraduate and the student yearbook photographer. He said he supports BU as an opportunity to "give a little back to the college."
"Teachers were always first-class and they teach you for what you are, not what they want you to be," he said. "They give you a chance ⦠and some people need a second chance.
"I like the way they do things," he added." It's the history, the culture, being friendly with no ulterior motives. For nearly 60 years, I could walk on that campus any time of day and be with friends."
Rado worked in the fields of education and insurance before purchasing WORLD electronics in 1986. After two years, he moved the firm from West Chester to Morgantown and, in 1999, he relocated to the current facility in Reading that he designed. WORLD electronics' main business is contract manufacturing, mainly motherboards for controlling electronics. Services include engineering and prototyping.
For information on making a financial gift, contact the Bloomsburg University Foundation at 389-4524 or foun@bloomu.edu or visit www.bloomufdn.org.
Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 9,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.