When Jeff Bush ’79 committed to making a seven-figure gift to his alma mater — the largest planned gift in Alvernia’s 66-year history — in early 2025, his decision was inspired by his experience as a first-generation college student and a strong desire to give back by making a college education possible for future generations.
After graduating magna cum laude from Alvernia with a bachelor’s degree in business management, Bush began his career in the financial services industry. Today, he is the CEO and chief financial officer of WellSpring Financial Services, a business he launched nearly 25 years ago that has evolved into a thriving practice. Bush earned an esteemed reputation for his expertise in financial planning and has been featured in USA Today, CNBC, Kiplinger, U.S. News & World Report and Forbes. He shares his financial knowledge on “Financially Speaking With Jeff Bush,” a television show broadcast on PCTV Network.
“I’ve had a lot of good fortune in my career,” he said. “When that happens to you, you’re grateful for it. But I feel you have a certain responsibility to do something meaningful along with that. Alvernia is a growing institution, and I really want to be part of its future. I feel very strongly about education and what Alvernia stands for. That was the driving force behind me making this gift.”
Bush grew up in Bangor, a small town in the Lehigh Valley, in a family of modest means. His father left high school to serve in World War II; his mother grew up on a farm. While it didn’t seem like college was in the cards, he was determined to pursue an education, so he worked full time to put himself through school. Bush was attracted to the small Catholic college where he felt he always fit in. He attended Alvernia in the era when men had only recently started to enroll, courses were taught mostly by nuns and much of the campus was open fields. He said Alvernia looks much different today.
“Alvernia really hasn’t been around all that long, but the growth has really been phenomenal, and the leadership is really impressive,” Bush said. “You don’t grow the way it’s grown in the 40 years since I was a student there by accident.”
Bush settled in Reading after graduating and volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Berks County. After completing “Leadership Berks” — a program that trains individuals to serve in nonprofit leadership roles — he was appointed to the BBBS board of directors. He also served as president of the Hillside Aquatic Club and later became president of the Tri-County Swim League. Along the way, he earned an MBA in finance at St. Joseph’s University. Bush and his wife, Diane, who now live in Pottstown, value family time with their four children and new grandson.
Staying active is also important to Bush, who enjoys swimming and biking. In each of the past 20 years, he has participated in the 75-mile fundraiser Bike MS: City to Shore Ride. He is training for a triathlon. Still, his philosophy for life centers on learning, self-improvement and giving back.
“I just try to get better every day, live my life the right way and do good things,” he said. “That’s how you live an amazing life.”
Partners in Progress campaign passes ambitious goal
Bush’s historic planned gift commitment helped the university succeed in its largest-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, Partners in Progress. The campaign aims to build stronger communities and provide support for scholarships and other student aid resources.
The goal was announced at the university’s annual President’s Dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading in October. Initially hoping to raise $45 million, university leaders raised the goal to $70 million.
"Tonight, we celebrate surpassing that goal currently at $71.5 million and counting," Alvernia President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., announced at the dinner.
Thomas Minick ’98, MBA ’10, vice president for institutional advancement and government affairs, said the majority of the campaign is impacting the academic experience for our students. He cited several examples, including new academic programs such as the engineering program, new scholarships for business students, and the launch of the state-of-the-art John and Karen Arnold School of Nursing and Interprofessional Healthcare Simulation Center on the second floor of the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne.
“We did this to impact our students first,” he said, adding that there’s still a ways to go. “We still need additional funds to finish the American House project, and we still have students in need, so the Hope Fund and scholarships will remain at the forefront of our fundraising.”
Planned gifts, like Bush’s recent commitment, can have a long-lasting impact by growing the university’s endowment and increasing scholarship opportunities for decades to come, Minick said.
