Our first in a new series of Alumni Council Q&As features Council President Chuck Trump (’95, MBA ’06), a longtime ambassador of the mission of Waynesburg University.
Q: What is your current job/title, and what is your current location?
A: I am President and CEO of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County (PA).
Q: Can you describe your typical day?
A: Adapting to unexpected circumstances, remaining steadfast to our organization’s principles and mission, focusing on encouraging our team, and remaining diligent in contemplating who and where the bank needs to be today, tomorrow, and in the years to come. (P.S. I have a constant view of WU’s campus from my office windows!)
Q: Can you describe your time at Waynesburg and how it shaped you as a person?
A: My time at Waynesburg was incredibly meaningful. I established relationships and friendships that helped to shape my perspective on life. My time as a student also reinforced how important it is to use the gifts, talents, and heart that God grants us. At the beginning of my sophomore year I met my wife-to-be, Shelly (McCrite) Trump. My experience as a wrestler at Waynesburg continued and strengthened a work ethic and focus that was instilled in me as a boy. My dad always reinforced that hard work pays off. The Greek system was still active when I attended WU, and I pledged Alpha Phi Delta fraternity in the spring semester of my freshman year. I enjoyed special times and have special memories with my brothers in APD…reflecting on those memories brings a smile to my face, still today.
Q: What is your favorite memory as a Waynesburg student?
A: There are so many special memories that I carry with me from my time at WU. A few that stand out during my sophomore year are meeting my now-wife, winning conference and regional wrestling championships, and qualifying for the Division III National Tournament. Additionally, I was a resident of Thayer Hall all four years as a student, and for three of those years, I had the privilege of being a Resident Assistant.
Q: Where has life taken you since graduating from Waynesburg University?
A: Since graduating, life has continued to offer exciting and wonderful opportunities. I began a Master’s Degree at Kent State University in Higher Education Administration, shortly after I graduated from WU (I had aspirations to become a President Lee someday!). While enrolled in the program at Kent State, a Director of Housing position became available at WU. I pursued the position, and that led Shelly and me back to Thayer Hall (with our one-year-old daughter, Elizabeth). The men of Thayer Hall were so thoughtful and respectful of Shelly and Elizabeth, and I remain grateful for the young men that we shared Thayer Hall with while serving in that position. While performing my duties as the Director of Housing, I also enjoyed serving as the Assistant Wrestling Coach at WU.
Shelly and I both completed our MBA degrees at Waynesburg, in 2006 (me) and 2010 (Shelly). We also took pride in watching Elizabeth blossom as a student athlete at WU from 2015-2019, and she is currently in her second year of medical school at West Virginia University. Just as exciting, our youngest daughter, Kimberly, now in her senior year of high school, chose WU for her undergraduate experience. Shelly and I count it a blessing and are overjoyed in having both of our daughters join the WU family!
Q: Why is staying connected with your alma mater important to you?
A: Staying connected to WU is so gratifying for me. Having the memories that I’ve shared of WU, it comes naturally to desire a continued connection and commitment. So much has changed over the years, at WU and in the world in general, but one constant remains: the relationships that we form as we go about our earthly journey can be so enriching, and remaining in touch with the campus where so many of those memories and relationships were formed is so important.
As President of Alumni Council, I take pride in ensuring that WU remains in the heart and minds of its graduates, and giving back is gratifying for several reasons. Helping to ensure that WU continues to thrive and succeed, among the alumni family and beyond, is the least I can do for an institution that provided so much opportunity for me. Helping to sustain WU for years to come will to ensure that the students of the future will have an opportunity to develop, mature, and learn as I did, making memories of their own.
Q: What advice do you have for current students? For recent graduates?
A: My advice for current students and recent graduates would be to pray that God will guide your path, and to focus to the talents, gifts, and skills that he has blessed you with, growing and fine-tuning them while at WU. God created you for a purpose, and created work in advance for you to complete. His purpose for you is important and special, and only you can fulfill it. Demonstrate love and kindness to others, and remember… hard work pays off.
