Penn Manor school director receives PSBA Advocacy Award

Penn Manor school board member Dr. Richard Frerichs has been named recipient of the Timothy M. Allwein Advocacy Award for advancing the cause of public education in Pennsylvania.

Frerichs received the award Oct. 13 at the School Leadership Conference, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators and the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

“I am honored and humbled to have my efforts recognized by PSBA,” said Frerichs, who is serving his 19th year on the Penn Manor school board. “It is the responsibility of every school board director to be a strong advocate for public education.”

The award is presented annually to a school board or individual school director for demonstrating outstanding leadership in legislative advocacy efforts on behalf of Pennsylvania public education and public school students.

Frerichs earned praised for being “a leader, mentor, team builder and advocate for a just cause.”

Since 2011, he has been active in leadership roles at PSBA and served as president of the statewide organization in 2014. On several occasions, Frerichs has testified before the state Legislature on behalf of the association.

“Over the course of his career, Rich has contributed to a wealth of advocacy efforts aimed at promoting policies and advancing initiatives that benefit students, instructors and all education staff in Pennsylvania,” said state Sen. Lloyd Smucker, chairman of the Senate Education Commission.

The Allwein Award was established in 2011 by PSBA in memory of Tim Allwein, the association’s former assistant executive director for governmental and member relations.

Frerichs lives in Millersville and is the retired chairman of the Education Foundations Department of Millersville University.

Congratulations, Rich, on being honored for all you do on behalf of public education!