David K. Kurtz '63

Dave Kurtz joined the Navy during his senior year at MHS, and upon graduation, he left for Boot Camp. After being assigned to the destroyer USS John W. Weeks, he participated in operations in the Mediterranean, Middle East, Caribbean and Northern Europe. His time in the military shaped his future interests and passion to promote veterans and veteran affairs.

After his honorable discharge, Dave attended Harrisburg Area Community College where he earned an Associate in Arts degree. He later graduated from Penn State with a major in American History/Literature and also earned a Master of Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Kurtz’s work and interest as a peer counselor to veterans while in college enabled him to work full-time in this area upon graduation. He served as Regional Coordinator for the Program to Advance Education (PAVE) in the Governor’s Council for Human Resources and the Department of Education. He later served as the Director of Education for the Veterans Outreach Program in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. When the emphasis for veterans’ education shifted to college campuses, Dave accepted employment at Harrisburg Area Community College and established the Office of Veterans Affairs, serving as its first Veterans Affairs Officer. The office provided educational benefits counseling, VA certification, academic monitoring and other support services to over 2,000 veterans and eligible dependents annually. He established the VA Work-Study Programon campus as a valuable employment resource for the college as well as providing part-time employment to needy student-veterans. In addition, he served as HACC’s first Alumni Affairs Officer. He was also successful in re-establishing the Chi Gamma Iota (XGI) Fraternity on campus and served as its advisor. This is a fraternity for military veterans who attended HACC. Dave was given the task of serving as advisor to the People First Club, an organization of disabled students. Besides all these responsibilities, he taught several Government courses at HACC.

Dave left HACC in 1979 to work as a Budget Analyst for the Governor’s Office and the Executive Offices. After eight years, Dave transferred to the Senate Appropriations Committee where he worked as a Senior Budget Analyst and Policy Development Specialist. He provided guidance and assistance on many veteran programs that included writing legislation to enhance the National Guard Education Program, working with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) on their needs and recommending adequate funding for the operation of the State’s Veterans Homes. Upon retirement in 2005, Dave was recognized on the Pennsylvania Senate Floor for his 33 years of service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in veterans’ affairs, budgeting and policy development.

Dave organized and founded the Chi Gamma Iota Alumni Association in 1972 and served as its President and Board Chairman from inception to 2009. It is the only active Chi Gamma Iota Alumni Association in the country. Under his leadership, XGI was successful in having the Newville Post Office dedicated in memory of Medal of Honor recipient Randall Shughart. Also, Chi Gamma Iota raised over $8,000 for the Fisher House Foundation. Dave is proud of this fraternity and the impact that its 45 active members have made.

In his spare time, Dave has served as a volunteer foster parent for juvenile offenders in Tressler Lutheran’s Community Treatment Program. He has also served as a Committeeman and has been a poll worker in Derry Township. Dave remains active in the Chi Gamma Iota Fraternity Alumni Association and serves as Vice President and Newsletter Editor for the John W. Weeks Association.

Dave has been the recipient of numerous awards. He was honored in 1990 as an alumnus of HACC who embodied the mission of the College either through outstanding service in a professional career or in community leadership. He received the Service Award from the National Association of Veteran Program Administrators in recognition of service to N.A.V.P.A. and in appreciation of continued dedication to veterans and veteran educational programs. He has also served as a board member to the national association, as President to the state association, and as a member to several veteran-related and VA advisory boards. He has been awarded the Bronze Medallion by the Chapel of Four Chaplains Foundation for outstanding contributions to the well-being of others on the national level in keeping with the spirit of sacrifice of the Four Chaplains. He also serves as a trustee for the Foundation.

Dave is married to Judy Powell Kurtz and they reside in Lower Paxton Township. They have two daughters and eleven grandchildren.