Leaving a Legacy: Joyce Kutz Wehr ’46 & Malonia Sullivan ’27

Though Joyce Kutz Wehr ’46 passed away in 2016, her legacy lives on at Kutztown University. Through planned giving, Joyce left the KU Foundation $2,402,063 toward four scholarships; ten years later, those scholarships have supported countless students.

Joyce’s KU legacy began with her parents, John W. and Sadie E. (Hartman) Kutz, who graduated from the Keystone State Normal School in 1912 and 1920, respectively. In 1946, Joyce graduated from Kutztown State Teachers College. She would remain connected to KU for the rest of her life.

A decade after Joyce made her bequest, Malonia Sullivan ’27 is one of its beneficiaries. With a dual-major in special education PreK-12 and elementary education PreK-4, Malonia is a recipient of the Charles A. and Joyce Kutz ’46 Wehr Scholarship.

“I’m very grateful,” Malonia said, reflecting on Joyce’s lasting support. “I wouldn’t be here without it.”

For Malonia, studying special education in particular adds to another legacy: one inherited from her mother, who is entering her 30^th year working in educational spaces. Malonia plans to follow in her footsteps: “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher.”

In addition to studying for her two majors, Malonia’s schedule is full of work and extracurriculars. She is involved in Special Olympics, the Kutztown University Dance Team, sorority life, and opportunities for philanthropy—including through her work at the KU Foundation as a Student Engagement Officer.

“You get what you give,” Malonia said, sharing a core belief. She added, “I always want to give back to the next person.”

Malonia’s advice for students seeking scholarships is to look for something they can connect with. “Be yourself. Stay true to yourself—because you never know what good it could bring you.”

In Malonia’s case, much of that good has come from the legacy of Joyce Kutz Wehr ’46, who was a teacher herself for 34 years. Even after her retirement in 1981, Joyce remained passionate about education, maintaining a lifelong membership in the PA State Education Association and the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.

The work that Joyce did—and her generosity toward Kutztown—lives on in Malonia.

“You get what you give,” Malonia repeated. “I will always continue believing that.”

You can make the same powerful difference like Joyce Kutz Wehr ’46 by including KU in your estate plans. Take the next step today—learn about your giving options or document your legacy by contacting Shaylene Scheib at 610-683-4882 or scheib@kuf.org.