Richard Koval (Alpha Beta '96)
Advisory Committee Chair for the Alpha Beta Chapter at Penn State University
I've been the community advisor for the Alpha Beta chapter since Spring Semester 2000 and I currently serve as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee. I have also served Section 90 as the Scouting Coordinator, Leadership Development Coordinator, and Section Chair. Currently I serve as the program coordinator for APO IMPACT, the Fraternity's comprehensive training program.
I have been involved with the Scouting program for most of my life, from Tiger Cubs to Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, and I earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1991. I have been on the summer camp staff at Camp Seph Mack as an assistant to the Camp Director and I've served on the Executive Committee of Penn's Woods Council.
I have also been a brother in the Order of the Arrow as a member of Nachamawat Lodge, where I served on the Executive Committee and the Ceremonial Team. I was honored with the Vigil Honor membership in 1994 and I served as the Lodge Chief during the 1994-95 term. At the end of my time in office, I received an Outstanding Service Award for my efforts to improve the Lodge's program of service and leadership development.
I graduated from Penn State in May 1998 with a degree in Architectural Engineering. Following graduation, I moved back to Johnstown, PA to work at an engineering firm. Fifteen months later, I returned to State College, PA to take a job with Ling Partnership (formerly Parfitt/Ling), an architectural engineering firm specializing in the design of mechanical and electrical systems for buildings. Currently I am the Manager of Engineering Services and the lead Electrical Engineer. I am also a registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania and a LEED Accredited Professional.
In Alpha Phi Omega, I pledged Alpha Beta Chapter in Spring Semester 1996. As a brother in Alpha Beta chapter I was on the Publicity, the Alumni, and the Scouting committees, I served as Parliamentarian, I was a Co-Chair of the Homecoming Committee, and in Spring Semester 1998 I served as Chapter President.
Once I returned to State College at the end of 1999, I felt the need to give back to the fraternity that had done so much for me, so I decided to re-join APO as a chapter advisor.
In 2003 I received the Best Student Organization Advisor Award from Penn State's student government. At the 2006 National Convention in Louisville, KY, I was honored to receive the Phyllis Churchill Tenney Excellence in Advising Award. At Alpha Beta's 75th Anniversary Banquet in Spring 2007, I was given the Chapter Distinguished Service Key. And at the 2010 Section 90 Conference, I was honored with the Section Distinguished Service Key.
Through all of my experiences here in APO, both good and bad, I've never regretted the decision to become an advisor or a volunteer staff member. The brothers of Alpha Phi Omega are often the best students a school has to offer and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to guide them in this fraternity. I am also pleased to have the opportunity to expand my service to APO with my role as APO IMPACT Program Coordinator.