$1.5 Million Gift from DowDuPont CEO Launches Center for Graduate Success at Lebanon Valley College

Edward and Lynn Breen Center for Graduate Success will launch students into their careers.

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ANNVILLE, PA (01/23/2018) Annville, PA (01/22/2018) -Annville, PA (01/19/2018) -Lebanon Valley College is introducing a new center that will launch students to career success. Set to open in Fall 2018, the Edward and Lynn Breen Center for Graduate Success will offer global networking, internship coordination, professional skill-building, and one-on-one advising for every student, starting in the first year. The center has been established with a $1.5 million gift through the Breen Family Foundation from Edward D. Breen, chief executive officer of DowDuPont Inc., and his wife, Lynn.

"The Breen Center will ensure our students are prepared to enter the fields of their choice, compete for great jobs, and contribute to companies and organizations immediately and continuously," said Lewis E. Thayne, LVC president. "We are so thankful to Ed and Lynn for their support."

Designed to be part of daily life for students, the center will be located in the Allan W. Mund College Center, the highest student traffic area on campus. Programming will follow a developmental model. First-year students will meet with a counselor and their faculty advisor to discuss their career aspirations and potential major as a start to building a parallel track of coursework and experiences leading up to a career. In subsequent years, students will participate in internships and other immersive experiences, clarify their goals and adjust their plans if necessary, and network with alumni and employers using a database that will serve as "a global sphere of influence," according to Dr. Thayne.

"Organizations look for talented employees who can think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, collaborate in diverse settings, and research and apply solutions to complex problems," said Dr. Thayne. "Our Constellation LVC curriculum develops these skills in all our students. The Breen Center will work in synergy with Constellation LVC and create new opportunities for students to build the skills employers seek."

"Lynn and I made this gift because we see time and again how a Lebanon Valley College education leads students to success," said Ed Breen. "The College has seized an opportunity to stand at the forefront of truly exciting innovation. We are thrilled to put resources toward a program that will benefit such strong and marketable graduates now and for generations to come."

The search for a director to implement and lead the Breen Center begins this winter.

About Edward D. Breen

Edward D. Breen, also known as Ed, has been chief executive officer at DowDuPont Inc. since Aug. 31, 2017. He has been chairman and chief executive officer at E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company since Nov. 9, 2015, and serves as an advisor of New Mountain Capital LLC. Breen served as interim chair and chief executive officer of E.I. du Pont de Nemours until Nov. 9, 2015.

Previously, Breen was chief executive officer at Tyco International PLC; president, chief executive officer, and chief operating officer at Motorola Solutions Inc.; and executive vice president and president of Networks Sector at Motorola Solutions Inc. He also served numerous additional distinguished leadership roles professionally and philanthropically.

In addition to serving on the Lebanon Valley College Board of Trustees for more than a dozen years, Breen serves on the board of Grove City College, the alma mater of him and his wife, Lynn, who each graduated with degrees in economics. Mr. Breen also earned a bachelor of science in business administration from Grove City. He has been awarded numerous governance awards including being named one of the "100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics" by Ethisphere in 2009.

About Lebanon Valley College

Lebanon Valley College offers degrees in health sciences, actuarial science, analytical finance, physical and natural sciences, computer & data science, mathematics, arts, music education and production, digital communications, design and technology, criminal justice, business, English, environmental and global studies, and more. Students get a full undergraduate experience while pursuing bachelor's degrees and combined bachelors'/advanced degrees such as athletic training, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and the accounting 3+1 MBA. They embrace campus activities and celebrate their talents by joining the 150-member marching band, participating in theater productions, conducting summer research, running the College's VALE music label, and competing on the 25 NCAA Division III Flying Dutchmen athletic teams and new varsity-level esports team. Students love LVC's caring and helpful environment and beautiful campus. They come from families of all income levels and backgrounds and receive financial aid and scholarships, along with guidance from faculty, staff, and students as they work toward successful careers and fulfilling lives.