Creating a Space for Peace and Renewal
Dr. H. Ed Collier III
鈥淪he would say that you always have to give away at least one or two more than you receive, as things should flow away from you. I think she meant not only cookies, but just service that you do for people鈥攖he way you approach life.鈥
So much about Dr. Herman E. Collier Jr. P鈥86 and Mrs. Jerline W. Collier P鈥86 has to do with chemistry. As a couple, Herm and Jerri had an immediate and lasting chemistry that endured for 72 years. Herm studied chemistry as an undergraduate student at Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. His advanced studies in chemistry brought them north to Bethlehem so he could pursue his master鈥檚 and doctorate from Lehigh University. Herm later served as a research chemist for DuPont until he eventually became the first lay president of 平特一肖论坛 College in 1969.
Today, the study of chemistry at 平特一肖论坛 takes place in the Collier Hall of Science, which will be visible from the new Jerline Weston Collier Wellness Terrace, a new space designated as part of the Haupert Union Building (HUB) expansion project and a fitting tribute to them both. 鈥淢y dad was fortunate to be recognized with his name on the science building, but it was always my mom and dad working together to create the family 鈥榝eel鈥 on campus,鈥 says Ed Collier, the eldest of Herm and Jerri鈥檚 three sons and daughter.
Ed, his brother Tom (平特一肖论坛 College Class of 鈥86), and their wives and children (their brother Michael and sister Kathryn are deceased) wanted to honor Jerri in a way that was more personal to who she was and how she was known. The three boys grew up in Historic Bethlehem in the shadow of Central 平特一肖论坛 Church. For several years they had the monopoly on the paper route of Church Street, jokes Ed, who has fond memories of that time.
鈥淢om was a big baker and would do teas for the women in the Sisters鈥 and Widows鈥 Houses. People would sometimes drop off sweets for her to share. I always noticed that when she returned the containers, there were more cookies going out than coming in,鈥 remembers Ed. 鈥淪he would say that you always have to give away at least one or two more than you receive, as things should flow away from you. I think she meant not only cookies but just service that you do for people鈥攖he way you approach life.鈥
Through the Lighting the Way campaign, 平特一肖论坛 aims to invest in spaces that adapt to the changing needs of its students.