William “Bill” Folk Jr. ’80 and Rebecca “Becky” (Bauman) Folk ’81, M‘89

William “Bill” Folk Jr. ‘80 and Rebecca “Becky” (Bauman) Folk ’81, M’89 met at Kutztown University. Though Bill studied computer science and Becky studied elementary education/early childhood education, they both shared a love of music.

“I had been in band throughout high school and I said, ‘No way am I doing that again in college,’” Becky shared. Now she laughs at the memory, because upon visiting KU, people she formerly attended high school with immediately convinced her to join the university band—making this one of the best decisions she ever made.

For Bill, it was much the same. He joined what would become a close-knit group of musicians, saying, “It’s where we made all of our forever friends.”

After graduating, Bill worked in information technology for Air Products, while Becky taught second grade and attended KU a second time for a master’s in elementary education. Because of close bonds with their fellow alumni, the two were quick to become involved in philanthropy.

Connecting to the Kutztown University Graduate Organization of Bands, commonly known as the GOBs, Bill and Becky contributed to a scholarship in honor of former member Reid F. Lessig ’72. From there, the couple helped raise money for a major renovation of the Schaeffer Auditorium in 2013 and for the construction of the Wells-Rapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research in 2023.

In retirement, music remained a passion, but the two also found themselves spending time on new undertakings. Bill became more involved in Scouting America, and Becky began to volunteer at The Kindness Project—a Lehigh County-based non-profit which supports foster care children and families.

Inspired by The Kindness Project, Becky and Bill created the Folk Family PROFS Endowment. The Providing Resources and Opportunities for Future Standouts Program, or PROFS Program, offers support to students who are current or former members of foster care or who are homeless/unaccompanied youth. The program encourages students to reach their full potential.

“The percentage of former foster students who finish a four-year degree is low,” Becky said, but PROFS and programs like it can help raise these numbers. To the Folks, this is all the more reason to give back.

“We feel like KU impacted our lives so much,” Bill said. “We hope it can impact the lives of others. We wouldn’t be where we are without KU.”