Trustee Profile: Kim Craig

Kim Craig considers Mount Aloysius College to be one of the regions "best kept secrets." Prior to his service on the President's Advisory Council, his knowledge of the College and its mission was limited. He was introduced to Mount Aloysius through one of his business associates and was mostly drawn to the rich history of the College.

When Craig was asked to join the Board of Trustees in 2002, becoming an important member of the College community was an easy decision for him to make. "I personally believe that Mount Aloysius has served a crucial role in providing a focused academic curriculum and opportunity for local students," said Craig. "I have been particularly impressed with the College's focus upon providing an academic opportunity for those students within the region who would prefer to commute."

As a member of the Board of Trustees and President and CEO of FNB Wealth Management Group, Craig is in a unique position to fully understand the current economic climate and how much it takes for a family to be able to afford a college education.

"I have always been a proponent for "college funding planning." This requires discipline and there is certainly no easy solution for most families," said Craig. "I believe colleges will need to continue to raise endowment funds to provide partial funding for student scholarships. Also, families will need to assess pre-paid tuition programs and 529 plan options (a taxadvantaged investment plan designed to encourage savings for the future higher education expenses of a designated beneficiary) to assist in providing college funding needs."

Craig is an extremely vocal advocate of alumni giving back to further assist students in the form of scholarships and charitable contributions to the annual fund. "Currently, I am involved in setting up an alumni giving program at my alma mater, West Virginia University, and I feel that every alumnus has a responsibility to give back to the College that has enabled them the reap the rewards of professional opportunities."

In addition to families trying to fund their college education, Craig perceives prospective students and their families will place more emphasis on the value of their higher education. "Every college is going to have to really show the benefits on the value and quality. With Mount Aloysius' history as a top nursing school in the region, for example, I feel that the College is doing a excellent job of selling value to prospective students and their families."

An avid fan of West Virginia University's football team, Craig's first priority has always been his family. He and his wife Debbie have three sons, Benjamin, Zachary and Casey, all of whom are married, and two grandchildren. Along with his serving on Mount Aloysius College's Board of Trustees, Craig is board chair at Memorial Medical Center, chair of the dean's advisory board at West Virginia University, College of Business and Economics, chair of the Professional Development Council for the American Bankers Association and a member of the Political Action Committee of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association.

Craig believes that Mount Aloysius College has been, and will continue to be, a very special place. Because the College is tucked away on a 165-acre mountaintop campus it has a sense of calmness and serenity. "I have to believe the College is well postured for the future. The administration and Board of Trustees have maintained an excellent balance among the College's fiscal affairs, campus improvements and curriculum development. The College is well positioned and nimble to address the emerging academic needs of potential college students and the regional needs of area employers."