Sparking
Fire
in Others

This philosophy isn’t limited to starting and selling businesses, which Haverlack and his wife, Rhonda, did. It’s how people commit themselves to a worthy mission, which the Haverlacks did in a big way. Their recent $5 million investment in SRU is the largest in University history. The transformative gift not only established the Haverlack College of Business, the first named college at SRU, it also aligns with the Firestarter philosophy because it will empower and support student scholarships, faculty research, facility enhancement and expanded student opportunities in SRU’s college and programs.

“Education does so many things,” Haverlack said. “It is the best way to stop the cycle of generational poverty because not only does it equip you with the skill set, but it also equips you with discipline and it enables belief in yourself.”

An SRU education, in particular, is something that Haverlack believes in. After earning a degree in environmental science, he went on to become a successful business executive in the companion animal consumer product industry.

“Slippery Rock remains true to its mission, just like it was 40 years ago when I was a student,” Haverlack said. “Here, people teach you how to think, not what to think, as well as the self-confidence that bubbles up because you’re part of a family and an institution where the professors care.”

After growing up near Slippery Rock and graduating from his hometown University, Haverlack became a logistics manager for Ralston Purina before working as a vice president of logistics in the H.J. Heinz Company. He later became president and chief operating officer of Meadville-based Ainsworth Pet Nutrition. After retiring in 2012, he and Rhonda were cofounders and principals of Targeted Pet Treats headquartered in Warren, a business that they later sold.

Throughout his career, Haverlack developed high-performing teams, earning a reputation for driving growth through “people-first” strategies. During his retirement he committed to sharing his approach to leadership and business as a three-time published and two-time Amazon Best Selling author.

The Haverlacks’ commitment to sharing knowledge and supporting philanthropically is rooted in education.

“Education has always been my passion,” Haverlack said. “I’ve always wanted to teach, and I’ve always tried to teach my employees and my superiors or anybody that will let me teach them. And I said to myself, ‘How can we help the most people with the kind of amount of money we have to work with?’ That’s when I thought about the University and what it meant to me as a student. The stewardship and leadership that currently is (at SRU) is about as close to perfect as you could get. That’s why I chose to make an investment.”

Although they never intended to have a college named after them, the Haverlacks were convinced to set an example for others like them who have been blessed with successful lives — being the leaders who provide a spark.

“We never imagined we’d have this opportunity,” said Rhonda Haverlack. “Slippery Rock will always be home for Elliott, and it’s become a special place for both of us. Our hope is that every student who walks through these doors knows that the opportunities available to them are limitless.”

Not only did Elliott Haverlack make a financial commitment to SRU’s business programs, but he became a student by enrolling in the Master of Business Administration program last fall, saying he never worked at anything in his life harder than earning a graduate degree at age 67. Being compelled to stand by the product and attending the school that bears his name are consistent with his strong beliefs. When Haverlack worked at Heinz, he would eat ketchup every time he’d eat in a restaurant — despite not liking it.

The Rock, however, fits his tastes.

“Slippery Rock offers the best blend of authenticity, approachability and affordability,” Haverlack said. “All are welcome, and you’re going to get the real deal when you come here.”

“We are deeply grateful to the Haverlack family for their leadership and belief in Rock students,” said Prasad Vemala, dean of the Haverlack College of Business. “Their generosity ensures that generations of students across all areas of study within the college will have access to meaningful, world-class opportunities.”

Within the Haverlack College is a School of Business that is globally recognized. Only 6% of schools have earned the prestigious AACSB accreditation. Vemala considers the Haverlack’s investment and naming as a catalytic moment that future-proofs the college and strengthens SRU’s role as an economic and leadership engine for western Pennsylvania and beyond.

“We are profoundly honored by the Haverlack family’s extraordinary generosity,” said SRU President Karen Riley. “This gift is more than philanthropy, it is a legacy of vision, purpose and enduring impact that will empower future generations to learn, lead and succeed.”

Ben Addison is a lifelong number cruncher. Sure, there are nuances and facets to his work in technology asset review, risk management and governance that he could get into, but his job is to help others succeed within standards. He started in the insurance industry before working 28 years for PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the largest accounting firms in the world.

Now that he’s retired, Addison reflected on his career and what his SRU education has meant to him.

“I had a successful career because of Slippery Rock,” said Addison, who graduated in 1987 with a degree in computer science and a minor in business. “As many others who have donated back, I’m just grateful for the education that Slippery Rock provided me, and I just want to keep it going.”

Like his career mission to help other succeed within the standards, Addison is “keeping it going” by empowering students to achieve. Support from scholarships funded by alumni like him, prevents students from having to crunch the numbers and make difficult decisions.

“I hear the stories of people dropping out during their sophomore or junior years because they didn’t have the money and couldn’t continue on,” Addison said. “I was the first in my family to go to college, and I was fortunate enough that my parents paid for my education, along with the help of scholarships, and I came out with zero student debt, which was almost unheard of back then for a family from Sharon, Pennsylvania, whose dad worked for General Motors. So I was very grateful for all of the scholarships that I received, and if I hadn’t received them, I probably would not have been able to go to Slippery Rock. Scholarships are the catalyst that keeps people going to the finish line.”

Having just crossed the finish line of his career and into retirement, Addison continues to be a starter — that is, a Firestarter — through his philanthropic support.

The spark that ignited Eric Conley’s 32-year career in health care leadership started at SRU. Today, he’s an executive vice president who oversees Sentara Health’s 12 hospitals in Virginia and North Carolina, system-wide pharmacy and inpatient rehab, home health and hospice. But his first leadership position was captain of The Rock baseball team.

“Leading a high-performing team of individuals who are all driving toward accomplishing a major goal,” said Conley, a 1990 graduate with a degree in health services administration. “That opportunity really helped develop and initiate my leadership skill set. And then in the classroom, I had opportunities to do projects for hospital administration where I got to lead small teams on trying to accomplish a goal of a case study that our professors were leading us toward.”

As Conley has gone on to achieve success in his career, he continues to invest in SRU because the University is providing optimal conditions for more students like him to flourish.

“The importance now is investing in it to make sure that legacy of success continues — administrative success, athletic success and academic success, as well as the success of being a student in today’s environment, which gets harder from a cost perspective,” Conley said. “Slippery Rock has just done an amazing job over decades, so it’s about investing in and supporting a university that knows how to do it and do it right.”

While Addison and Conley represent SRU’s track record of molding leaders who have gone on to achieve great success, current students like Birtukan Hartman are the future. And like Conley was, Hartman is a student athlete.

A rising junior marketing major who is a member of The Rock track and cross country teams, Hartman was part of a student group who read Haverlack’s “Firestarter.” She’s a standout in the classroom and is engaged on campus as a member of a Christian student organization and secretary of the American Marketing Association chapter at SRU.

“One of our sayings on the cross country team is that anybody can be a leader,” Hartman said. “Being on a team helps me put others before myself and encourage them.”

Motivated by her campus involvement and mentorship opportunities at SRU, Hartman plans to pursue a career as a marketing project manager after she graduates. She has learned that leadership is less about filling a role and more about how she interacts with other people every day.

“SRU has positioned me for success and given me the confidence to become a leader,” Hartman said. “Thanks to the Haverlacks and all the coaches, professors, donors and everyone who contributes to the student experience here at SRU, I now have a fire that cannot be extinguished.”