Jack and Katherine Mulka: Transforming lives with $50K in endowments for CU-Bloomsburg students

The Bloomsburg University Foundation and Commonwealth Uuniversity-Bloomsburg have announced a gift from two of Bloomsburg's most dedicated and longstanding alumni. Jack Mulka '66 and his wife, Katherine "Kathy" Matzko-Mulka '68, have contributed two endowments - $25,000 for scholarships and $25,000 for Professional Experience Grants in support of The Campaign for Bloomsburg: It Starts With Us, furthering their enduring commitment to advancing student success.

"We couldn't be more thankful to Jack and Kathy for their generosity, along with the incredible network of alumni in the Bloomsburg community and beyond," said Jerome Dvorak, Bloomsburg University Foundation (BUF) executive director. "With every gift, we draw closer to our $100 million goal, which will fundamentally transform the lives of Bloomsburg students and the resources available to them."

Jack enrolled at Bloomsburg in 1962 as the first in his family to pursue a college degree, marking the beginning of a lifelong connection to the university. It was at Bloomsburg that he met Kathy, and their shared experiences as students laid the foundation for decades of dedicated service. Jack went on to serve as the dean of student development, leading the student union for more than 20 years, while Kathy made her impact as an admissions counselor, helping countless students begin their own academic journeys.

Beyond their professional roles, Jack extended his influence as a committed member of the Bloomsburg University Alumni Association Board of Directors and through two extended stints on the BU Foundation Board of Directors, where he remains an active contributor. Together, the couple has built an extraordinary legacy of more than 50 years of service and philanthropy to Bloomsburg.

"We value the education we received, and the cost of living and education have gone up significantly," Kathy said, reflecting on their commitment to giving back to their alma mater.

As part of their contributions, the couple established the Matzko-Mulka Endowed Scholarship, dedicated to supporting first-generation CU-Bloomsburg football players. This scholarship reflects Jack's own undergraduate experience as a first-generation student and honors the athletic program that provided him with valuable mentorship and life lessons.

Over the years, the two have met and financially assisted a number of Bloomsburg students, including the most recent recipient, dean's list student KJ Riley, and in the past, New Orleans Saint's player, coach and NFL Hall of Fame nominee, Jahri Evans.

"Helping students is what it's all about," Jack said. "We've gotten to know many first-generation students over the years - we're so proud of the recipients."

Along with a strong belief in humility, teamwork and paying it forward, Jack was inspired to pursue a career in higher education by his family and the wider community of his hometown of Taylor, a borough in the center of Lackawanna County's Anthracite Region. As a child, Jack often worked in his father's restaurant where he would observe many of the town's schoolteachers arrive to socialize or get food. These men were often well dressed, well mannered, and well off, serving as role models for Jack, and representing a bright future that his father encouraged him to pursue.

Jack's father, who had to quit school during the Great Depression to make ends meet working in the coal industry, wanted his son to become a teacher. "That's what life is all about," Jack said, as the sacrifices made by his parents led him into a life of success, not only allowing his own children to flourish, but creating a platform for Jack to continue assisting others on their own journey through college and beyond.

Kathy also remarked about how Bloomsburg has remained a very friendly, welcoming and generous community through the years. Not only serving as a wonderful place to raise children, but a great ecosystem to be part of as a student, a business owner or resident. Today, Jack and Kathy remain residents of Bloomsburg, continuing to give back to the community and university that shaped their lives and the lives of countless others.

The Mulka's contribution brings the university closer to its $100 million campaign goal, helping to create a lasting impact on future generations of Huskies. With this gift, the campaign total has reached $83,101,953.

For more information on The Campaign for Bloomsburg: It Starts With Us and how you can contribute, visit https://giving.bloomu.edu/the-campaign-for-bloomsburg-it-starts-with-us.