(Butler, PA) A 23-year-old recognized in 2022 for having the fastest-growing practice of all first-year Northwestern Mutual financial advisers nationwide has become the youngest director with the Butler County Community College Education Foundation in its 35-year history.
Matthew Reitler, who finished first in the Mike Gish Award competition with the financial security company based in Milwaukee, is a 2019 graduate of BC3 @ Armstrong in Manor Township, Armstrong County.
He joins 17 other directors and ex-officio members with the BC3 Education Foundation, a charitable organization that seeks and manages private gifts to support BC3 with student scholarships, equipment purchases, faculty enhancement awards and grants for capital and program improvements.
Reitler, with Northwestern Mutual, Pittsburgh, spoke at the September 2021 groundbreaking for a BC3 @ Armstrong facility in Ford City about having purchased his first home on the same block in anticipation of the facility’s influence on property values when completed.
“He is one of BC3’s No. 1 fans,” said Megan Coval, executive director of the BC3 Education Foundation and external relations. “He has such excitement for this college. He is so invested, invested to the point that he chose to buy his home where he did. He knew what revitalization BC3 @ Armstrong was going to bring to Ford City, and he wanted to have a front-row seat to it.”
Reitler earned an associate degree in business administration from BC3 @ Armstrong and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 2021.
“Just an ideal resume”
While at BC3, Reitler was selected to the 2019 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, an honor that recognized his excellence in the classroom and dedication to his community college and community, and received a two-year full-tuition scholarship to any Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education institution.
The 2017 graduate of Armstrong Junior-Senior High School served as a correspondent for The Cube, BC3’s student newsletter; assisted with spring and fall Welcome Days for new students attending BC3, and completed BC3’s Leadership Series, whose requirements include attending four sessions on subjects such as Leading with A Purpose, Professional Development, Team Building and Cultural Awareness.
Reitler was also elected as vice president of Rho Phi, BC3’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an international academic honor society, and while a BC3 student volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Kittanning, and in other capacities in Butler, Saxonburg and Wattersonville.
“Just an ideal resume,” said Tony Shakely, chair of the BC3 Education Foundation board.
“If you were to describe a perfect candidate and a perfect addition to the foundation board, you’d be describing Matt. When you look at all the things he has done, you would expect that person to be 40 years old. But he is 23 and he has been involved in so much.”
“He is one of BC3’s No. 1 fans."
“A direct impact on the people”
Reitler’s background finance will be “extremely helpful” to the BC3 Education Foundation in developing its budget, Coval said.
“And in making sure our investments are on track and that we are planning for a very wise fiscal future,” Coval said.
The BC3 Education Foundation’s assets as of June 30 were $22.9 million, said Lynn Ismail, the foundation’s assistant director and its financial manager.
A record 148 named scholarships totaling more than $200,000 are available from the BC3 Education Foundation to registered BC3 students in 2022-2023. The financial awards are available to students in all of the college’s 56 associate degree or 25 certificate or workplace certificate programs.
The BC3 Education Foundation funds high school equivalency tests for students in the college’s adult literacy program and tuition and fees for noncredit training courses available to active first-responders in Butler County. It also supports the college’s Hope is Dope opioid addiction recovery program, College Within the High School program and Stock Market Game, BC3’s Pioneer Pantry, faculty development opportunities and emergency funds for students.
“All of those things have a direct impact on the people who live in this area,” Reitler said. “A lot of different people from a lot of different walks of life. And all of that comes from BC3. There’s no doubt BC3 brings the community together in a variety of different ways.”
Reitler was among the 70 percent of graduates who graduated debt-free from BC3 in 2019. BC3 @ Armstrong opened in 2015 and saves students an otherwise 30-mile, 40-minute drive to BC3’s main campus in Butler Township, Butler County.
By spring 2023, BC3 @ Armstrong will move from Manor Township to a 12,500-square-foot facility at 1100 Fourth Ave., Ford City, several houses away from where Reitler purchased his first home in May 2021.
“When I was at BC3, I took advantage of every door that opened for me and every opportunity that was there,” Reitler said. “Having access to a very high-quality, affordable education is going to have a great impact on this community. … a solid future they might not have had access to if BC3 wasn’t in the heart of the community.”
"There’s no doubt BC3 brings the community together in a variety of different ways.”
A commitment to BC3’s mission
Directors on the BC3 Education Foundation board must have a commitment to BC3’s mission, be well-respected and trusted community members who can serve as a link between BC3 and the community, exhibit leadership abilities, and be dedicated to strengthening the college through financial support provided by the foundation.
In addition to Reitler, the BC3 Education Foundation’s directors are Carol Achezinski, Sewickley, senior vice president, treasury management, NexTier Bank, Butler; William Bellis, Butler, chief financial officer, AGR International, Meridian; Cathy Bronder, Butler, community volunteer; Kelly Giles, Butler, owner, Butler Business Systems, Butler; Jeannie Gilkey, Butler, director-market leader, Clearview Federal Credit Union, Butler; and Cathy Glasgow, former president, Butler County Ford, Butler.
Also, Robert Hovanec, Wexford, retired president and chief operating officer, Peoples TWP and retired senior vice president and chief financial officer, Peoples Service Co.; David C. Huseman, Butler, BC3 professor of liberal arts and director of BC3’s Center for Economic Education; Tom Martin, Butler, owner Martin Funeral Home, Butler; Nancy Hunter Mycka, Valencia, executive vice president, Hunter Truck, Butler; and Gary Rauschenberger, Center Township, Butler County, retired vice president, First National Trust Co., Hermitage.
Also, Jay Shaffer, Butler, owner, Jay G. Shaffer Financial, Butler; Shakely, Butler, commercial lending officer, Armco Credit Union, Butler; and James Taylor, West Sunbury, retired attorney.
Mycka is vice chair; Rauschenberger, treasurer and Shaffer, secretary.
Dr. Nick Neupauer, BC3 president; Vicki Hinterberger, BC3 trustee; and Coval are ex-officio board members.
The BC3 Education Foundation was chartered by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1985. Its board was organized and first met in 1987.
The Mike Gish Award is named after the former Northwestern Mutual employee who died in 1969 at age 26 in Kentucky.
