KINGSTON – Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School in Kingston recently presented its annual Joseph C. Donchess Distinguished Service Award to two people who have demonstrated exceptional service to the community and Wyoming Seminary.
The two recipients are the late John T. Morris, of Dallas, and Ambassador (Ret.) Joseph M. Torsella ’81, Pennsylvania State Treasurer, Flourtown.
The award is the highest honor bestowed by the Wyoming Seminary Board of Trustees on behalf of everyone associated with the school. It expresses appreciation for the life and example, sacrifices and devotion of those who are honored.
Morris, a Kingston native, served as Sem’s business manager for 43 years and as special projects manager for seven years, before his passing in December, 2017. He oversaw all aspects of the school’s human resources, investment, financial and physical plant areas as well as significant building and enhancement projects. He was also an active member of the Irem Temple Shrine, the George M. Dallas Lodge 531 Free Masons, the Harveys Lake Rod and Gun Club, Trout Unlimited and the Harveys Lake Yacht Club. He also supported the work of the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen and was a member of St. Mary’s Annunciation Church in Kingston. A graduate of the former Edwardsville High School, he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Berlin, Germany. He later graduated from the Wilkes-Barre Business School and attended classes at Wilkes College.
Torsella, a native of Berwick, was elected the 77th treasurer of Pennsylvania in November, 2016 and oversees an office of 360 employees which protects more than $100 billion in state assets. In addition to safeguarding the financial health of the state, he chairs the Board of Finance Revenue, administers the unclaimed property program and manages the state’s 529 College and Career Savings Program. He also served as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations from 2011-2014, focusing on budget and management reform. In addition, he served as chair of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education and as founding president and CEO of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. In the early 1990s he served as deputy mayor for policy and planning in Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell’s administration, served as co-chair of the Greater Philadelphia bid for the 2016 Olympic games and is a former successful small business owner. A 1981 Wyoming Seminary graduate, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics and history. A Rhodes Scholar, he studied American history at New College, Oxford.
