Ronn's Legacy

Ronn Cort, board member of the Bloomsburg University Foundation and longtime advocate for students at Commonwealth University — Bloomsburg (CU-Bloomsburg), has established a $250,000 planned gift through his estate as part of the University's It Starts With Us campaign.

"Ronn's commitment is a testament to the very essence of what this campaign represents — individuals choosing to invest in opportunities that will change the trajectory of students' lives," said BU Foundation executive director, Jerome Dvorak.

Cort's commitment reflects a relationship with CU-Bloomsburg built over more than a decade — one that began not in a classroom, but through industry partnership and student engagement.

"When I first came to Bloomsburg as CEO of SEKISUI KYDEX, I knew there was a university up on the hill, but I didn't yet understand what made this place so special," said Cort. "That changed the moment I stepped onto campus and met the students."

Originally invited to speak with students in the Zeigler College of Business, Cort expected a brief visit. Instead, he encountered students whose preparation, curiosity, and professionalism left a lasting impression.

"I saw students asking thoughtful, insightful questions," Cort said. "They didn't just want to complete assignments — they wanted to make an impact."

That first interaction sparked deeper involvement, including participation in Zeigler Institute for Professional Development (ZIPD) Conference panels, mentorship, expanded internship opportunities, and ultimately the hiring of Bloomsburg graduates.

"As a global manufacturing leader, there was always an assumption that we should recruit exclusively from elite institutions," Cort explained. "But Bloomsburg students consistently proved they were not only ready to work on day one — they were ready to contribute on day one."

Cort's admiration for Bloomsburg students is deeply connected to his own life journey. A first-generation college student who did not complete his undergraduate degree, Cort built a successful career through resilience, continuous learning, and leadership development.

"I didn't follow a traditional path," he said. "But education — formal and informal — has been the thread throughout my life."

Inspired by the students and faculty he met at Bloomsburg, Cort later returned to executive education programs at Stanford, Wharton, MIT, and Cornell. In recognition of his professional achievements and dedication to students, Bloomsburg awarded Cort an honorary doctorate.

"That honor meant so much to me, not because of the title, but because it came from a university and community I respect tremendously," Cort said.

Cort's involvement with the Bloomsburg University Foundation grew naturally from his campus experiences. What began as a corporate partnership evolved into volunteer leadership, philanthropy, and board service.

"At Bloomsburg, every hour I spend feels like time well spent," Cort noted. "Students here are grounded, driven, and genuinely engaged in building their futures."

Cort and his wife, Sandy, ultimately chose to include Bloomsburg in their estate plans following thoughtful conversations about their values and long-term impact.

"We reached a point where we asked ourselves, 'What truly matters?'" Cort said. "For me, the answer was clear — education and opportunity."

"I decided to put Bloomsburg in my estate planning because it's one of the single most important influences in my life," he added. "This school gives students opportunities far beyond what they think they can achieve. I wanted to be part of that for the long haul."

Foundation and campus leaders note that Cort's planned gift reflects a relationship with Bloomsburg that has strengthened over many years. His estate commitment represents the next chapter in that journey, reinforcing a longstanding connection to the University and its students.

"Over the years, Ronn has developed a remarkable bond with our students," said CU-Bloomsburg vice president for advancement Erik Evans. "He sees their determination, their talent, and their promise. His estate commitment is a powerful expression of confidence in their futures and perfectly reflects the spirit of the It Starts With Us campaign — the belief that individual actions can create lasting opportunities for generations of Bloomsburg students."

Through his volunteerism, mentorship, and now his estate commitment, Cort continues to champion the values he frequently shares with students:

"We live in a world where people say, 'Somebody should do something,'" Cort said. "But real change doesn't start with somebody else. It starts with us."