Bill Welch
Encyclopedia
William Lee Welch, Jr. (November 23, 1941 - September 4, 2009) was a U.S. politician and former mayor of State College, Pennsylvania
, most recently reelected in 2007. He had been the mayor since he was first elected in 1994, before which he was a member of the borough council. Mayor Welch died on September 4, 2009 at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania
, after suffering complications from leg surgery. He was 67 years old. A link to a video of the community celebration of his life is at: http://www.statecollegepa.us/index.aspx?NID=1269
Bill Welch was born in Philadelphia, but spent most of his life in State College and is a graduate of State College High School in 1959 and of Penn State University in 1964. He formerly worked as editor of the Centre Daily Times newspaper for over 25 years and then of the American Philatelist, a magazine published by the American Philatelic Society
.
As mayor, he annually welcomed first-year students at Penn State held at the new student Convocation and the Arts Festival, Welch also took part in Penn State's Homecoming activities, taught students about local government, met regularly with international students, gave tours of the State College Borough building and frequently attended building dedications and other events on campus such Take Back the Night, Veteran's Day ceremonies and celebrations honoring Martin Luther King Jr. — often giving remarks and providing history about town-gown relations. Welch also served as co-chairman of the Campus and Community Partnership United Against Dangerous Drinking, where he was involved in efforts to help curb dangerous drinking.
In the surrounding community of State College Borough and the Centre Region, Welch was known for his leadership within local and regional governments. Active in many local interest groups, he served on the board of Central Pennsylvania 4th of July Inc. and the Discovery Children's Museum planning board.
"Bill Welch was one of Pennsylvania's greatest leaders," said Penn State President Graham Spanier. "He was a dedicated public servant and community leader. Bill was proud of his university and the town that surrounded and nourished it. The University and community were in turn proud of Bill, a great humanitarian and ambassador. Penn State deeply mourns his passing. "
's Hall of Fame
in 2010 for significant contributions to philately
during his lifetime.
In his free time, Welch penned a monthly column for Town and Gown magazine with his wife, Nadine Kofman. He informally presided over weekly meetings of Young Writers of America, a group of community residents active in local affairs and writing, and he enjoyed rooting for the Super Bowl XL champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
State College, Pennsylvania
State College is the largest borough in Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is the principal city of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Centre County. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 42,034, and roughly double...
, most recently reelected in 2007. He had been the mayor since he was first elected in 1994, before which he was a member of the borough council. Mayor Welch died on September 4, 2009 at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey is a census-designated place in Derry Township, Dauphin County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The community is located 14 miles east of Harrisburg and is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. Hershey has no legal status as an incorporated municipality...
, after suffering complications from leg surgery. He was 67 years old. A link to a video of the community celebration of his life is at: http://www.statecollegepa.us/index.aspx?NID=1269
Bill Welch was born in Philadelphia, but spent most of his life in State College and is a graduate of State College High School in 1959 and of Penn State University in 1964. He formerly worked as editor of the Centre Daily Times newspaper for over 25 years and then of the American Philatelist, a magazine published by the American Philatelic Society
American Philatelic Society
The American Philatelic Society is the largest nonprofit stamp collecting and organization of philately in the world, with almost 44,000 members from 110 countries...
.
As mayor, he annually welcomed first-year students at Penn State held at the new student Convocation and the Arts Festival, Welch also took part in Penn State's Homecoming activities, taught students about local government, met regularly with international students, gave tours of the State College Borough building and frequently attended building dedications and other events on campus such Take Back the Night, Veteran's Day ceremonies and celebrations honoring Martin Luther King Jr. — often giving remarks and providing history about town-gown relations. Welch also served as co-chairman of the Campus and Community Partnership United Against Dangerous Drinking, where he was involved in efforts to help curb dangerous drinking.
In the surrounding community of State College Borough and the Centre Region, Welch was known for his leadership within local and regional governments. Active in many local interest groups, he served on the board of Central Pennsylvania 4th of July Inc. and the Discovery Children's Museum planning board.
"Bill Welch was one of Pennsylvania's greatest leaders," said Penn State President Graham Spanier. "He was a dedicated public servant and community leader. Bill was proud of his university and the town that surrounded and nourished it. The University and community were in turn proud of Bill, a great humanitarian and ambassador. Penn State deeply mourns his passing. "
Stamp collecting
An active and dedicated philatelist, Welch specialized in the postal history of Latin America and ship mail of Austria-Hungary. Welch was elected to the American Philatelic SocietyAmerican Philatelic Society
The American Philatelic Society is the largest nonprofit stamp collecting and organization of philately in the world, with almost 44,000 members from 110 countries...
's Hall of Fame
American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame
The American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame award honors deceased philatelists who have contributed significantly to the field of national and/or international philately.-History:...
in 2010 for significant contributions to philately
Philately
Philately is the study of stamps and postal history and other related items. Philately involves more than just stamp collecting, which does not necessarily involve the study of stamps. It is possible to be a philatelist without owning any stamps...
during his lifetime.
In his free time, Welch penned a monthly column for Town and Gown magazine with his wife, Nadine Kofman. He informally presided over weekly meetings of Young Writers of America, a group of community residents active in local affairs and writing, and he enjoyed rooting for the Super Bowl XL champion Pittsburgh Steelers.