Spartan Online
MHS names Alumni of the Year
Milton Hershey SchoolŪ has awarded its prestigious Alumni of the Year Award to brothers Milton "Milt" Purcell '64, of Hummelstown, and the late Richard "Dick" Purcell '61. This year marks the 56th anniversary of the award.
Recipients of this award have demonstrated humanitarianism and exemplary service to others, achieved distinguished service in their careers, and exhibited high standards of achievements both personally and professionally. The Alumni of the Year serve as role models for MHS students and an example of achievement to which they can aspire.
The Purcell brothers were business partners in the successful Purcell Machine Company. The company and its subsidiaries work in many industries with a concentration in the confectionery industry. It manufactures parts and complete systems for such diverse operations as drop roll manufacturing and product handling. The business works with companies nationwide and includes among its customers, Fortune 500 companies, such as Caterpillar, The Hershey Company, York International/Johnson Controls, and New Holland.
The brothers enrolled in Milton Hershey School in August 1950, a couple years after their mother, Theresa, died. Dick was 7 years old, and Milt was 4-1/2.
Throughout the years, Dick and Milt were active members of the MHS Alumni Association, and sponsored adult and youth organizations in the Hershey community. They also acquired a former student home, Glendale Farm 52, and in 2000, it was re-opened and dedicated to William E. Dearden '40 to provide a place for alumni and MHS family members to gather for social functions and meetings.
After Dick's death in 2004, the School purchased the facility. It is now home to the MHS Alumni Relations & Programs Office and the MHS Alumni Association.
