Edward L. Schoenberger, Jr. ’64, ’70M & Kathy H. Schoenberger ’69, ’73M
FIAT LUX SOCIETY MEMBERS
In their valuable commitment to making a difference in the lives of students, Edward “Ed” L. Schoenberger, Jr. ’64, ’70M and Kathy H. Schoenberger ’69, ’73M are making a transformative impact through their generosity to Millersville University. Their exceptional dedication to giving back to their alma mater and supporting student success is reflected through their creation of a collection of scholarship funds and loyal giving for many years and in their careers as educators in Lancaster County.
Created in 2013, the Edward L. ’64 & Kathy H. Schoenberger ’69 Endowed Scholarship benefits an incoming freshman student with financial need from a Lancaster County high school. In 2018, they established the J. Stanley Cook Scholarship Endowment, which was named after Kathy’s freshman English instructor at Millersville State College, J. Stanley Cook, whose impactful instruction on developing research papers contributed to her academic success. Through their support for student-athletes, the Schoenbergers created the Edward L. ’64 & Kathy H. ’69 Schoenberger Endowed Soccer Scholarship in 2025, to assist a student-athlete on the men’s or women’s soccer team. “As a soccer fan, I hope our recent soccer scholarship can help MU’s soccer team flourish,” says Ed Schoenberger.
As a student at Millersville State College, Ed Schoenberger earned a bachelor’s degree in 1964, with a major in elementary education. He went on to earn a Master of Science degree in special education from Millersville State College in 1970, and in further studies at Millersville University earned Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certification in both school psychology and elementary counseling. In his professional career as an educator, Ed dedicated 34 years to teaching in the Conestoga Valley School District until his retirement in 1998, including 20 years teaching elementary special education at Leola Elementary and 14 years teaching fourth grade at Brownstown Elementary. In 1978, Ed began a successful 30 years of an income tax business. He has been a self-guided market investor since 1978. Through his involvement in the Lancaster community, Ed served on the board of Lanco Federal Credit Union for 25 years and on the board of United Disabilities Services for six years.
In her academic journey, Kathy Schoenberger earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Millersville State College in 1969, with a certification in elementary education and special education. As an undergraduate student, she was a member of Delta Phi Eta academic co-ed honors fraternity. She continued her studies at Millersville State College by earning a master’s degree in 1973, in addition to certifications in early childhood education and reading specialist. Professionally, her career as an educator included teaching for nearly 25 years in Lancaster County. Kathy taught in the Conestoga Valley School District from 1969 until 1975, which included teaching in a classroom for students with special needs, in a resource room for students with learning disabilities and in a second-grade classroom. In 1986, she returned to teaching and worked for Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 (IU 13) in classrooms for students with multiple disabilities. In reflecting on her teaching experience, Kathy recalls, “Because of my degree and certification, I was able to get a job I loved. Working with students with disabilities was challenging, but I loved the kids.”
When attending college at Millersville, Kathy was a local commuting student and worked part-time in the library with the university work/study program while her tuition was paid primarily through a PHEAA scholarship. Ed transferred to Millersville in his junior year and was also a commuting student, working his way through college. These experiences motivated the Schoenbergers to give back and provide educational opportunities to benefit Millersville University students.
Beyond their professional careers, the Schoenbergers enjoy travel, reading and music. Ed and Kathy walked across England twice, and Ed has hiked in Patagonia and Nepal, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and bicycled from Los Angeles to Boston. They have traveled on more than 40 trips that required a passport.
In their dedication to philanthropic support at Millersville University, the Schoenbergers are passionate about helping students and fostering journeys of student success. “Our goal is to reduce the amount of struggle. It’s rewarding to know that a student doesn’t have to work so hard to get through school because of financial issues,” says Kathy. As Ed explains, “It’s a good feeling that a student receives help and has an improved life.” Through their generous contributions at Millersville University, Ed and Kathy Schoenberger are creating a legacy of academic opportunity that will benefit students for generations to come.