The Goldress family gathers for a group photo during the reunion in State College.
Coming home
IE alumnus holds family reunion in State College
9/28/2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — When Jerry Goldress began planning his family reunion for 2016, he knew he wanted it to be in a special place. Over the course of 30 years, Goldress’ family had gathered in a variety of locations ranging from Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Montreal and Hawaii for family reunions. For his final year of planning the event, Goldress chose none other than State College, Pennsylvania.
After graduating from Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and a M.S. in 1954, Goldress began a lengthy career.
Throughout his life, he would work for different companies, eventually becoming president of Grisanti, Galef & Goldress in 1981.
Since 1973, Goldress had been the president of more than 100 manufacturing, distribution and retail organizations.
In 2007, he was named the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering’s Outstanding Engineering Alumnus.
“I feel blessed,” Goldress said. “I was fortunate to have a career that not only provided me constant joy, but material rewards as well.”
At the beginning of 2016, Goldress decided he wanted to lighten his load and enjoy retirement. This lightening included no longer planning his annual family reunion. For his last “hurrah,” as he called it, Goldress chose the town where he says it all began.
“I give full credit for my success to the education [Penn State] provided, as it was my springboard to all that was to follow,” he said.
During the weekend of July 28-31, four generations of Goldress’ family (nearly 40 people) flocked to the Nittany Lion Inn. The weekend was filled with trips to iconic Penn State attractions such as the library, Palmer Museum and the Berkey Creamery. The one event that stood out to Goldress and his family was a tour of his old department.
A group of 25 family members were led on a tour of the department by Bob Voigt, professor of industrial engineering. During the tour, Goldress was able to relive his college years as well as show off to his family what the department has to offer.
“Everyone who went on the IE tour said it was the highlight of the reunion,” Goldress said. “Many of them didn’t realize what, exactly, industrial engineers do, and they were blown away by the opportunities the department provides for its students.”
A special guest, Department Head Janis Terpenny, talked with the group and even attended the family breakfast the next morning. Goldress said the event was like bringing his two families, his relatives and industrial engineers, together.
“It was wonderful,” he said. “A perfect way to wrap it all up.”
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Jerry Goldress
