The Friends of the Libraries and University Libraries Special Collections invite you to join us for a special event celebrating the acquisition of the Dr. Andrew Dinniman Papers on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the Francis Harvey Green Library. 

Dr. Dinniman’s remarkable career as a West Chester University faculty member, Chester County Commissioner, and Pennsylvania State Senator is deeply rooted in building bridges between the university and the larger community. His archival collection preserves this legacy, highlighting decades of work on issues such as food insecurity, homelessness, and public engagement. 

Event Details 

πŸ“… Tuesday, October 7, 2025 
πŸ•’ 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Panel Discussion 
🍴 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Reception with light refreshments 
πŸ“ Francis Harvey Green Library, Room 613 
      25 West Rosedale Avenue, West Chester, PA 19383 
πŸš— Parking available in parking garages, on-street metered parking, and campus lots.
πŸ‘‰ Please RSVP by October 2: RSVP Form

Panel Discussion: Progress Through Partnership 

The panel discussion will focus on how university–community partnerships can address urgent societal issues, a theme central to Dr. Dinniman’s life and work. Together, panelists will reflect on past hunger and homelessness initiatives while also looking ahead to current challenges and opportunities for collaboration. 

Moderator: Ron McColl, Special Collections Librarian 

Panelists: 

  • Dr. Andrew Dinniman, Former State Senator, Former County Commissioner, and WCU Professor Emeritus 

  • Nick Imbesi, Director of Community Relations, Chester County Food Bank

  • Tori Nuccio, Deputy Director, Financial Aid, West Chester University

  • Rita Patel Eng, Ed.D., Senior Director, Center for Community Engagement & Social Impact (CCESI), West Chester University 

Honoring a Legacy of Engagement 

Dr. Dinniman has long emphasized the responsibility of public universities to share their knowledge base with the community: 

“One of my greatest values to WCU was being a bridge to the community, and for the community to have a bridge to WCU. I did this through my research and teaching and bringing that knowledge to the larger community in terms of understanding public issues and their solutions.” 

His papers, now preserved in Special Collections, serve as a resource for fostering ongoing dialogue, ensuring that today’s challenges are informed by the lessons of the past. 

Reception and Acknowledgments 

Following the discussion, a reception will offer guests the chance to connect, share ideas, and explore opportunities for future partnerships. 

This event is made possible by a generous gift from the Hankin Group. Special thanks also go to our WCU student workers—Lilli Benson, Richie Bruce, and Alex Friedberg—for their contributions to the Dr. Andrew Dinniman Archive Collection.