Board of Directors
President
NICHOLAS BENTLEY
American Polarizers
Secretary
RENE SHEWALTER
Aesthetics & Cosmetics by Rene
Board Member
STEFANIE BUBNIS
Board Member
SARA PHILLIPS
Irish Creek
Board Member
ANN WOODWARD
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
Vice President
LYNNE A. BURNS
Past President
HEATHER ALEXANDER
Board Member
KEVIN GODFREY, Ph. D
Alvernia University
Board Member
BETSY RIDER-WILLIAMS
BRW Behavioral Health & Reading Hospital Behavioral Health
Executive Director
SUSAN ROHN
Yocum Institute for Arts Education
Treasurer
CHRIS LUPPOLD, CPA, MBA
William G. Koch & Assoc.
Board Member
JEFFREY BORNSTEIN
JVB Associates, LLC
Board Member
JESSICA HEAD
BCIU
Board Member
LISA TIGER
Century 21 Gold
James H. Yocum (1926-2025)
​James H. Yocum joined the board of the Wyomissing Institute of Fine Arts in 1958 - now the Yocum Institute for Arts Education - and was actively involved until 2019, when he experienced health issues. His unwavering dedication to the arts and education left an indelible mark on the community. His vision for cultural enrichment and his tireless efforts to promote the arts were truly admirable.
Jim was a man of few words but full of wisdom and wit. Everyone who knew him had a "Jim Story” and when he was well, his daily visits to the Yocum Institute were highly anticipated - especially by the front desk staff!
In 2009, in honor of his longtime dedication and support, the Wyomissing Institute of Fine Arts was renamed The Yocum Institute for Arts Education. This tribute reflected the immense respect and gratitude the community had for his contributions.
In 2016, understanding that The Yocum Institute for Arts Education had outgrown the building it called home since 1941, he was the driving force in the relocation and funding of the building we now call home at 3000 Penn Avenue, West Lawn.
The Yocum Institute for Arts Education stands as a lasting symbol of his generosity and belief in the power of the arts to shape a community. Jim's legacy continues to inspire and guide us, and his efforts have ensured that the arts will thrive for generations to come.
Margaret Schumo (1924-2019)
​Peg Schumo was affiliated with the Yocum Institute for over 50 years and seemed to always be there at critical times. In fact, we would not have the building we now call home if she hadn’t shown up at the auction. That day she made up the difference between what we were authorized to pay, and the final auction price.
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Peg was an exceptional person whose sense of humor and dedication will be missed. Her memory will live on through the many things she did in our community. For those of us at the Yocum Institute, we are reminded of her generosity daily by the exquisite art work on the front of the building which she and her daughter, Cynthia, funded and of course, the Schumo Theater.
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