A Townie Who Became a Trustee: Alvin de Levie Opens Up on Town and Gown Issues

Alvin de Levie is a member of a growing local subculture that I call “RTRTs.” Yes, like me and so many others, Alvin was raised as a townie and is now a returned townie. 

Having graduated from State High in 1969 and Penn State in 1973, de Levie studied law at Villanova University and then established his practice in the greater Philadelphia area. It took him 48 years to move back to State College, but he describes that step as “absolutely the best thing I’ve ever done.”

But de Levie didn’t return home just to smell the roses at the Arboretum. Instead, he waged a successful campaign for membership on Penn State’s Board of Trustees. And now he’s focused not only on his law practice but also on the process of building a better town and gown.  

I recently enjoyed a wide-ranging conversation with Alvin that touched on such topics as the selection of Penn State’s new president, Dr. Neeli Bendapudi; the proposed creation of a new green entranceway onto campus; the need for a more affordable Penn State; and the quest for a suitable way to honor Joe and Sue Paterno. 

It was just last year when you bought a house in State College and moved back to your hometown. How would you describe your return to Happy Valley?

de Levie:  Absolutely fantastic. I have so much fun when I drive by the house where I grew up on McCormick Avenue. Just driving by my parents’ house reminds me of all our nearby friends when I was growing up. Like the O’Horas. Jim O’Hora was a coach on the Penn State football team. And at one time, his family rented a room to a young assistant coach who happened to be Joe Paterno. And down the street lived the Whites—Coach J.T. White was another assistant football coach. And up the way on Garner Street was Coach Frank Patrick. Right around the corner from him, on Williams Avenue, was Mickey Bergstein, the longtime radio voice of the Nittany Lions. And Tor Toretti, an assistant athletic director, was across the street from the Bergsteins. So coming back to State College allows me to have such fond memories of growing up here. I still have friends I knew since I was 5 years old when our families went to Whipples (Whipple Dam State Park) together.  

How has the town improved and how has it declined?

de Levie:  Well, that’s a very good question. Much of what we grew up with is no longer here. The candy stores, the soda fountains, the Five-and-Dime stores. Those things no longer exist. But there are many other things that are now available to townspeople and to the students. I know there’s a lot of… I don’t want to necessarily use the word “controversy,” but discussion about all the high-rise apartment buildings. A lot of people are very much against them, and I don’t like the looks of them. On the other hand, the borough needs tax revenue which those buildings do provide. There’s such little space in State College, and they (those buildings) can provide the borough with the necessary tax revenue to provide the services we all get. So it’s changed, improved in some ways and maybe not so much in others.

Is there any step backward that you find shocking?

I don’t think so. I don’t think there’s anything shocking. I left here in ‘73, so it’s been a few years. Change happens, and people always discuss and debate change. Happy Valley still is Happy Valley with whatever changes it’s had.

You’re an experienced attorney, but on the Board of Trustees you’re a new kid on the block. What are the things you’ve done that you’re most proud of? 

de Levie:  I have only been a trustee for 11 months, so I am learning the ropes. I’m working very hard, and I’m studying every day. The thing I am most proud of is voting, along with the unanimous board, for Dr. Bendapudi to be our next president. I think we are so fortunate and so lucky to have her as our new president. Her vision for the university and the staff she has brought with her to the university are so impressive. I think we hit a grand slam in hiring her.

During your campaign for a seat on the board, I was impressed by your statements concerning transparency, and I was interested in your thoughts about the Joe Paterno statue and about creating a new greenspace between College Avenue and campus. Can you first comment on the matter of transparency within the Board of Trustees?

de Levie:  I think it’s getting better. When I first ran for the board, I started writing letters to the editor about the need for transparency with all the constituents—faculty, students, alumni, townspeople, whatever. I think we’re doing much better and I’m very happy to say that. And I feel that I have played a role in that.

Can you mention an example that shows that transparency is on the uptick? 

de Levie:  I think the board was very transparent in the process leading up to the hiring of Dr. Bendapudi. We had a search committee that gathered information and shared it with the board, and that process led to a unanimous vote to elect Dr. Bendapudi. I think the transparency of the board in working together on that was absolutely fantastic. 

Wow, I thought you felt less positive, at least in the early going of the search for a president. Was there a period of blunder early in the process—like giving up nine runs in the first inning of a ballgame that ends up as a win?

de Levie:  Well, I don’t think we ever gave up nine runs. But one thing about the board is that we all want information. I always want as much information as I can get, and I think that’s because of my training as a lawyer. But one thing I can say is that the eventual vote was due to great work among the trustees, and it came to a phenomenal result.

What about your efforts to create a new greenspace off College Avenue? 

de Levie:  Hammond Building will eventually be torn down and there will be new buildings in its place. When Hammond comes down, of course we have to take into account the needs of the College of Engineering first and foremost. It is a major driver of the entire university. But I believe we can also create a new entrance way from town — from College Avenue to campus. What I’m hoping for is that we can expand the beautiful garden area with the duck pond that sits beside the old President’s House and the Hintz Family Alumni Center. We could create a new walkway from College Avenue to the Obelisk, running behind Sackett Building.

I feel like Bellefonte is doing a fabulous job of beautifying its downtown area along Spring Creek while State College has been in a rut.  What you’ve described could be the answer to that.

de Levie:  I think there’s a lot of room for improvement. And in one of the proposals I have made to people from the campus and the borough is that this new area could include a small amphitheater. And perhaps we could have a skating rink that would bring people into town during evenings or on weekends. I’ve gotten very positive feedback on this. Now the issue is, as always, funding. It’s gonna take a while.

Are there any other projects you’re involved in that will enhance cooperation between town and gown?

de Levie: One of the things I am most proud of, and we’ve discussed this before, is promoting Penn State’s involvement with Discovery Space. I am in the process of exploring avenues for Discovery Space to grow in synergy with the university — whether it be the College of Engineering, the College of Education or other aspects. It can’t be done overnight, and I recognize that. But we had meetings last week, and we’ll have meetings again soon.

I first experienced the benefits of town and gown cooperation when I was just 5 or 6 years old. Back then, an art education professor named Ed Mattil brought some of us kids from State College on to campus for art lessons that were led by his students. And now I’m strongly in favor of helping Discovery Space work with Penn State — because of what this can do for kids in learning STEM.  

Another part of your platform was to bring the Joe Paterno statue out of some unknown location and put it into the light of day. So where does that stand?

de Levie:  I’ll be happy to answer that. But first I have to say that one of the questions I get asked most often is if I know where the statue is. And the answer is no, I don’t. But I always get a kick out of so many people asking me that question. Listen, I’m in favor of honoring Joe and Sue Paterno. They have done so much for State College, and Joe and Sue did it together. It’s remarkable how much Sue has continued to raise funds for Penn State and to personally donate to Penn State. Her love for Penn State knows no bounds. I’m new to this issue as a board member, but I am working to have the Paternos honored.

When the subject of the statue comes up, what responses do you get from your fellow board members?

de Levie:  At this stage, when I talk to board members about this issue it has to be in confidence. So in this instance, although I am greatly for transparency, I don’t feel like I want to go into that. 

I know you’re thrilled about the selection of Dr. Bendapudi, but she’s going to be facing a lot of big challenges. Which ones concern you the most?

de Levie: I have the utmost faith in her. I truly do. She has the background as a businesswoman (vice president of Huntington Bank). She has the background of being a provost of a major university (University of Kansas). She has the background of being president of a significant university (University of Louisville) with multiple medical centers and hospitals. And she was extremely successful in every one of those positions.

I think the issues facing Penn State are the issues facing all universities. First and foremost would be the quality of education, how to finance that quality of education and how to retain faculty. And I know Dr. Bendapudi has that concern as number one on her agenda because I’ve heard her say that we must fulfill our land grant mission. That means helping the students, making education affordable and accessible for those who are the first generation in going to college. I study other universities, and I know that Penn State is not alone in the issues that we face.

But I believe that Penn State has slipped in comparison to other similar universities.  According to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Penn State has the highest in-state tuition of any public university in the Big Ten and it’s last among the Big Ten’s schools in terms of “best value.”

de Levie:  I agree. It’s a problem. It’s an issue. When I talk to students, when I talk to parents of students, and when I talk to alumni that is one of the major things they raise. We have to do better. There’s no doubt. And I know it’s a priority of the university, of the board and of Dr. Bendapudi and her staff. You can read other studies that say we’re better than that. But I have those magazines stacked up in my study, and I look at the trends regarding affordability, and where we are is horrible. My first vote on the board was not to approve a tuition increase, but I was in the minority.

That happened in February?

de Levie:  No, February of this past spring was a vote on room and board. And I did not vote in favor of an increase in room and board. I voted against an increase. But the vote against a tuition increase was last July. I feel if we ask for increases for room and board or tuition, every penny that is requested must be proven necessary, and I have not been convinced. I recognize that most likely the university needs more money to retain faculty, to provide good faculty-student ratios and other opportunities for students. So, it’s a very, very difficult balancing act. But I am dissatisfied with the rankings we have gotten, and we must do better.

As for the decision to hike room and board costs, you were one of only three board members who voted against it, along with Anthony Lubrano and Jay Paterno. Did you feel a bit lonely after that 27-3 vote?

de Levie: No, and I’ll tell you why. We have a land grant mission for Penn State. That’s very important. Make it affordable and accessible to everyone. But there’s another vision that I’m following, and that’s my dad’s vision. He taught at Penn State for 45 years, and affordability was always one of his highest priorities. My dad (Dagobert de Levie) was very frugal with his spending of university funds that were earmarked for the programs that he founded. And I feel the same responsibility to make sure every dollar is spent wisely. So when I fulfill my dad’s vision, I will never feel like I’m part of a minority.