Alumni Couple Impact Students Through Philanthropic Support

Lock Haven State College (LHSC) alumni, Lew '66 and Myla (Bradford) Magent '69, share a very special connection with The Haven.

The couple met on campus in 1966, and the husband and wife say their life-changing Haven experience is why they continue to assist students through philanthropic support to the Lock Haven University Foundation (LHUF) more than five decades after graduating.

Lew grew up in Avis and was drawn to LHSC in 1962 by the strength of its elementary education program. Originally from Centre Hall, Myla came to LHSC in 1965 to pursue an early childhood and elementary education degree.

Lew was in his third year teaching in the Lock Haven School District in 1970 when a former professor, Dr. Ed Clawson, asked him to pilot a social studies project with his students. After observing Lew during the project, Clawson offered him a faculty position at the Akeley Campus School. In 1975, when Akeley closed, Lew became a faculty member in the special education department at LHSC, teaching undergraduate method courses. A year later, he received his certification in special education.

Throughout his career, Lew received various honors and distinctions, including the Commonwealth of PA Department of Education Certificate of Excellence in Teaching Award during the 1974-75 school year. In 2002, he received the Lock Haven University APSCUF Award and, in 2007, was presented with the Roll of Service Award from the LHU Alumni Association. In 1981, he was initiated into the Phi Delta Kappa education fraternity. Following his retirement in 2001, he gained LHU emeritus status.

"Being an emeritus is an honor," Lew said. "After working at the university and seeing the caliber of faculty, staff, and administrators who worked for one sole purpose - the students - it is quite humbling to be included with those people."

Myla taught second grade at Woolrich Elementary for a year, then did some substitute teaching at Akeley School when the couple's children were young. Once their children were in school, she became the teacher/director of The Nurtury preschool in Woolrich.

"Without Lock Haven University, our lives would have been totally different," Myla said. "LHU was one of those decisions that molded our entire lives, so how can we not give back to a place that was so influential in our lives?"

"Hopefully, other young people will be as rewarded through their LHU educations as we were," she added.

In 2002, Lew and Myla established the Lew and Myla Magent Education Scholarship. Each year, the scholarship goes to a student majoring in special education, early childhood education, or elementary education. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.4 within their major and 3.2 overall. Students' service to the university is also considered during the selection process.

"We wanted to help students in one of these majors realize their dream of becoming a teacher," Lew said. "Hopefully these students will impact the lives of their future students in positive ways and the recipients will realize that giving back is a rewarding thing to do for everyone involved."

Lew and Myla enjoy attending the LHUF's annual James C. Reeser Scholarship Brunch and relish the opportunity to meet their recipients and hear about their professional aspirations.

"We always come away feeling that our scholarship is being awarded to outstanding students," Myla said.

Along with their scholarship, the Magents have provided additional assistance to other university initiatives, including the Student Retention Fund, the Haven Cupboard, the College and Community Orchestra, and the Class of 1966 Bald Eagle Statue. They have also donated to numerous named academic and athletic scholarships.

"We are so thankful for donors and alumni like Lew and Myla, who have a deep connection to their alma mater and a passion for helping Lock Haven students achieve their goals and gain invaluable college experiences and a love for The Haven like they have," said Bashar W. Hanna, Commonwealth University president.

"Giving allows you to know that you are helping someone or something," Myla said. "With the rising cost of getting an education today, a lot of people cannot afford to send their children to college. So if we can help a young person achieve their full potential by giving, we are glad to do so."

"Being a graduate of LHSC means being part of a university well known for the students it educates to become quality teachers," Lew said. "Being involved 50 years later signifies just how much we value the education we received, friendships we maintain, and the opportunities the university offers to support current students."

Anyone interested in making a gift to the Lock Haven University Foundation can do so at www.givetolhu.com or by contacting major gifts officer, Jeff Ross, at 570-484-2364.