Anna Lee ‘20, Cayla Beaulieu ‘20:
Bruce Konopka, former Director of Alumni and girls novice crew coach, has taken a new job as the Class Giving Director for The Penn Fund at the University of Pennsylvania. He began working at the Episcopal Academy in 2006 as the Associate Director of Development, and in 2010 became the Director of Alumni. Konopka worked as both Associate Director of Development and Director of Alumni up until last year. Konopka, who fondly recalls the jobs, said, “I did enjoy both positions. It was a wonderful way for me to connect with our alumni of all ages. I really enjoyed the many friendships I made over the 15 years that I worked at EA.”
The Konopka family is well known for their excellence in crew; both Bruce and Molly Konopka now coach and their children row. Their children credit their athleticism to their father, who was a crucial member to the University of Pennsylvania’s lightweight rowing team in the late seventies. He was the first lightweight rower inducted into the University of Pennsylvania’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Konopka enjoyed coaching the novice rowers at Episcopal, saying, “…I really took great satisfaction in watching the team progress throughout the season. I looked forward to every race because I knew the athletes were going to try their best.”
Former novice rower, Lacey Rivera ‘20, said, “When we came to practice novice year, no one had any idea what they were doing. Within a few weeks we were able to place in the top three consecutively in our races with very few exceptions. Mr. Konopka paid attention to each of us and gave us specific things to improve on, making us better rowers and showing that he cared about our individual development as rowers.” Rivera continued, “I looked forward to coming to practice everyday because he was not only a coach, but someone I felt comfortable talking to as a friend. Mr. Konopka is responsible for turning nine awkward girls into a unified team able to conquer any challenge thrown at them.” Juliana DiCarlo ‘20 attested to that, saying “Mr. Konopka is a fantastic coach who guided and challenged us each day not only to be the best rowers he knew we could be, but to be the best people we could be.”
Konopka will be missed at the Episcopal Academy by the faculty and the crew team. Molly Konopka said she “definitely misses him coaching.” She also joked that it definitly makes it harder for her in the mornings because he cannot bring her phone on the days that she forgets it at home.
Not only does his family appreciate him, but the staff at the Episcopal Academy does as well. Dr. T.J. Locke, Head of School of Episcopal Academy, praised Konopka, stating, “Mr. Konopka did his work with a personal style that made everyone want to be around him. He is an incredibly likeable man, and he made our alumni feel truly connected to their alma mater.”
Konopka detailed that he will miss most the Episcopal community. He said, “I miss seeing my many friends on the faculty and staff.” He continued that, “I also miss my assistant Nancy Taylor, I couldn’t have done my last job without her tremendous help. Finally, the students, it’s always nice having people you coached say hi to you throughout the day.”
Konopka is now serving as the Class Giving Director at the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently organizing the thirty-fifth and fortieth reunions, with the fortieth being his own class reunion. He detailed, “I am working in their annual fund, which is called the Penn Fund. Penn is getting ready to announce a new capital campaign with a goal of 4.1 billion dollars, so it will be fun and meaningful to contribute my efforts to achieving that goal.” In addition, he is responsible for front-line fundraising, which involves reaching out to potential donors to help fund class reunions, recruiting and training volunteers of the reunion committee volunteers, and maintaining relations with members of the classes. Konopka is anticipated to be just as successful as a class giving director as he was at the Episcopal Academy. Locke said, “ Mr. Konopka contributed so much to our school community throughout the past 15 years. He partnered with our Alumni Society Board of Managers, helped us maintain strong relationships with our alumni, and coordinated memorable reunions and events.”
While Konopka will greatly miss the Episcopal Academy, he expressed gratitude about working again at the University of Pennsylvania. As a rower and faculty member, Konopka considers UPenn to be among the best things “that’s ever happened to [him].’”