Whether for personal or professional reasons, Ken Fruscella’s engagement with Heidelberg over the past eight-plus years has been very satisfying. Now, he’s taking it to the next level.
In June, Ken ’84 began serving a three-year term as president of Heidelberg’s Alumni Council. He’s been a member of the Council since 2017, serving as Vice President from 2022-25.
“I have always known how dedicated and giving our alumni are, but I have been able to witness it first hand since joining the Alumni Council,” he says. “From my standpoint, we have the best alumni in the country.”
Goal #1: Engagement
In his new role, Ken strives to increase alumni engagement with their alma mater. He and the Alumni Council are exploring ideas for new programming that will connect alumni earlier and generate meaningful impact for Heidelberg.
“Engagement of our alumni is crucial to the future of Heidelberg,” Ken says. “We have over 15,000 living alumni, and with their help, we can ensure the future of our school for generations to come.”
He understands that many alums, especially younger alums, may not yet have the financial means to donate to HU. Yet, he believes there are other ways they can give back. “Our alumni are multi-talented and I would love to find new ways to bring them back to campus to help our students,” he says.
Ken knows the value of helping students. As a CFO, he has been involved in creating an internship program with Heidelberg’s School of Business, hosting five interns and helping them get real-world experience as they prepare for their careers.
Two events brought Ken back into the fold with HU – the aforementioned internship program and when his youngest son, Rob ’15, decided to enroll at Heidelberg. “I made up my mind then to re-engage with the school,” he said. And he hasn’t looked back.
Goal #2: Alumni recognition
In addition to boosting alumni engagement and giving, Ken is focused on recognizing alumni efforts to support their Sweet Alma Home. “Heidelberg made great strides several years ago when we changed the Fellows Organization to Berg Benefactors. But we should always be looking at how alumni are recognized and honored for everything they do for the school, both from a monetary and non-monetary standpoint.”
Ken invites fellow alumni to join him and the Alumni Council in helping “ensure that Heidelberg is around for another 175 years.” He sees this as the most meaningful way to give back—and believes the Council is uniquely equipped to help lead the way.
“Over the last eight years, I have worked with some of the most talented people I have ever been associated with on the Alumni Council. I have made some very good new friends and reconnected with some awesome old friends. I feel the work we have done has made significant contributions to the Berg.”
And he doesn’t plan to slow down any time soon.
Thanks to outgoing president
Ken assumed Council leadership from Melissa Harrison ’02. He has a great deal of appreciation for Melissa’s friendship and mentorship as he prepared to lead the Alumni Council, describing those as “incredible” and “very special to me.”
“We worked very well as a team, and I am grateful to her beyond words,” Ken says.
In his new role, Ken will be supported by new Alumni Council Vice President Tammy (Eavers) Metcalf ’92 and new secretary, Stacy Cox ’94.
“I would like to thank Tammy and Stacy for agreeing to go on this journey with me for the next three years,” Ken said. “I am looking forward to forming the same bond with them and attaining all the goals we have for Alumni Council.”