Courtney Balcombe

News Editor

clb6264@psu.edu

Penn State has awarded its highest award, the Behrend Medallion, to Joe and Isabel Prischak.

According to Penn State, the Behrend Medallion is given to individuals who, by their service to society, have brought honor to their profession, their community, and themselves. This marks just the 21st time the Behrend Medallion has been awarded in the college’s 73-year history.

“The Prischaks are longtime friends of Penn State Behrend and leaders of the Erie community,” Behrend Chancellor Ralph Ford said. “They bring entrepreneurial thinking not only to their business but to their philanthropy as well — using their generosity to advance opportunities that improve lives.”

Joe grew up in Crawford County and he launched his own tool making business in his 20s, Triangle Tool Company. Later on, he joined the emerging field of plastics with a new company, Plastek.

According to Penn State, in the 1980s, Prischak — recognizing the need for professionally educated engineers in his industry — was instrumental in creating the Plastics Engineering Technology program at Penn State Behrend. The program, which continues to be a popular major for Behrend students, is just one of four nationwide to be accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. It has produced nearly 1,100 graduates.

The Prischaks supported the creation of the Plastics Technology Development Center and the Engineering Complex at Behrend. The Prischak Building on campus, in the Science Complex, shows their commitment to the college and its students.

The Joseph and Isabel Trustee Scholarship was a $1 million gift to Behrend, which gives preference to students from Crawford County and Conneaut Area Senior High School, as well as a second $1 million gift to create the Prischak Family Trustee Scholarship, benefiting children and grandchildren of Plastek Group employees.

“Joe and Isabel have forged a deep legacy here at Behrend,” Ford said. “It is an honor to advance their vision of educating students, furthering plastics research, and endeavoring, always, to make a difference in our community.”