Building a Foundation

A leader in the Mansfield community for decades, Strohecker is a natural choice to lead the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation (MUMF), which was formed and recognized by the Council of Trustees as an affiliated organization of Commonwealth University last spring. The recognition establishes the MUMF as the only officially recognized foundation that exists solely to support CU–Mansfield and its students.

 "As chair of the board, I am committed to ensuring that the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation operates with transparency, integrity, and a focus on making a meaningful impact," Strohecker says. "The Foundation serves as a beacon of support for CU–Mansfield, providing opportunities for others to invest in the future of our students and community. People want to be engaged. The Foundation creates an avenue that allows that to happen." The effort is already paying dividends. In its first year of existence, the MUMF raised more than $600,000. Since July, 2024, donors have contributed more than $2.4 million to support Mansfield students. "Mansfield is my hometown, I grew up here," says Strohecker ’91, whose four siblings also attended Mansfield and have gone on to successful careers in science, engineering, and business. Mansfield is special, it gave our family a significant opportunity in our own hometown. It worked out well for all of us, I hope for that to continue for future generations." 

Strohecker’s story is unique in that he is Mansfield University’s only graduate to complete their bachelor’s degree after their doctorate. "I’d been here practicing for several years, and I thought I’d like to complete my degree from MU. I initially attended MU from 1982–1985 but applied and was accepted into the doctoral program at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1985, graduating in 1989, with just three years of undergraduate credits. In 1991, I petitioned President Rod Kelchner, took two courses to complete my credit requirements, and graduated in December 1991." Although he’s sold his practice, he continues to see patients at his downtown location. For Strohecker, his involvement in Foundation is a natural extension of the values he learned from his family as a child. "In our home, giving and generosity were fostered. It was also expected that if successes were had, we were to be more generous." 

To help launch the foundation, Strohecker made a $50,000 gift to establish the Strohecker Health and Science Scholarship for CU– Mansfield students. The scholarship supports the recruitment and retention of students pursuing a field of study in health or science at the Mansfield campus. 

The gift has inspired numerous others to become involved. (See Sidebar.) 

A lifelong resident of Tioga County, Strohecker is very engaged in the community as president of the Mansfield Borough Council, chair of the Mansfield Borough Shade Tree Committee, as an elder for the Church of New Covenant, and an assistant basketball coach at New Covenant Academy. He served as a Trustee of Mansfield University from 1997–2022. 

While committed to his hometown, Strohecker’s service has also been international—having taken mission trips for more than 25 years to make an impact in communities in Haiti, Nicaragua, Cuba, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.

 "This community is my family," says Strohecker. "After 35 years of practice, it’s still a lot of fun. I like this region and have been blessed to live and work here. It’s a joy to serve, because you’re affecting change." 

Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation Leadership Senior Director of Philanthropy Kate Billmeyer brings more than two decades of fundraising experience to Mansfield as the senior director of philanthropy. Her previous experiences includes serving as Senior Development Officer for the Women and Children’s Institute at Geisinger Health Foundation, and development Roles at the Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger. The inaugural foundation board of directors includes alumni and industry leaders. Dr. Robert Strohecker ’91, Chair, Optometrist, Strohecker Vision Care Brendan Cregan ’89, Treasurer, Retired Principal, Hempfield School District Bob Christie ’92, Vice Chair, Independent Communications Consultant Alanna Huck ’99, Secretary, Superintendent, Wellsboro Area School District Matt Baker, Former director of U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, region 3; former member of PASSHE board of governors; 13–term member of PA House of Representatives Freddie Coleman ’87, ESPN radio host Roger Maisner, Professor emeritus–MU, coordinator of military and veteran affairs–MU, MU athletic director–retired Nicole Quezada, General Dentist, Complete Family Dentistry Ann Dunham Rawson ’96, Owner, Dunham’s Department Store Claire Yang ’04, Partner, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLP (PwC). 

Mounties All In Day of Giving During the Mounties All In Day of Giving held last April, 434 donors contributed $65,121 to support Mansfield students. 

"This was my first year being a part of the Mounties All In Day of Giving, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the success we’ve had and the momentum we’re building," says Kate Billmeyer, senior director of philanthropy at CU–Mansfield. "I am so encouraged to see the growth in support we generated from last year to this year, and I want to thank everyone on campus who played a role in helping us generate that excitement among our donor base." 

Throughout All In, donors were presented with various matching gift opportunities and challenges, further magnifying the effect of their contributions. Among the lead gifts were a $10,000 matching gift from Mansfield alumnus Mark Doherty ’95 and a $5,000 challenge gift from Roger Maisner, former Mansfield director of athletics.