Patrick Weschler ’78 commits $1 million gift to support Mercyhurst’s future
Mercyhurst University has received a transformational $1 million gift from longtime Trustee Patrick Weschler ’78, providing support for the university’s highest strategic priorities and reinforcing a family commitment to Mercyhurst that spans generations.
The gift comes as Mercyhurst enters its second century and reflects the confidence of the Weschler family in the university’s mission, students, and future.
Long before he enrolled as a student, Patrick Weschler’s connection to Mercyhurst was deeply personal. His father, then ten years old, served as the Page to Bishop John Mark Gannon at the laying of the Old Main cornerstone in 1925. His father’s sister entered the Sisters of Mercy after graduated from the college in 1940, taking the name Sister Mary Charles. Sr. Mary Charles earned a PhD. in Physical Chemistry from Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh in 1956 (the first woman to earn that degree). A beloved Mercyhurst faculty member from 1946 until 1975, first in Business, then in Chemistry, and then leading the Math and Science division. Her influence touched generations of students.
As a child, Weschler regularly visited campus with his family before himself enrolling at Mercyhurst in 1974. He graduated in 1978 with a degree in Political Science, a minor in Mathematics, and the Bishop’s Award for Academic Excellence. He later earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1981 and has recently completed 35 years as a partner with Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC, in Akron, Ohio.
Since joining the Mercyhurst Board of Trustees in 2010, Weschler has remained an active and engaged advocate for the university and its mission.
“Pat’s generosity reflects not only a remarkable commitment to Mercyhurst but also a deep belief in our future,” said President Kathleen A. Getz. “His gift will help ensure that the opportunities, values, and transformative experiences that have defined Mercyhurst for generations continue to flourish well into our second century. We are profoundly grateful for his leadership and support.”
The gift will provide flexibility to support Mercyhurst’s highest priorities and emerging opportunities as the university continues to advance its strategic goals and invest in student success.
“This commitment reflects remarkable trust in Mercyhurst and in our ability to steward resources for maximum impact," said Chrystie Raymond, vice president for university advancement. “Pat and his family understand the importance of supporting the university’s mission at the highest level, and their generosity will have an impact on Mercyhurst students for years to come.”
For Weschler, the decision to make the gift reflects both gratitude and a desire to help secure the university’s future.
“Mercyhurst has been part of my family’s story for as long as I can remember,” Weschler said. “My father helped celebrate the founding of this institution, my aunt devoted her life to its students, and Mercyhurst played a defining role in my own journey. My family and I are honored to support the university as it begins its second century and to help ensure that future generations of students have access to the same opportunities that shaped our lives.”
The gift represents one of the most significant commitments made during Mercyhurst’s Centennial era and underscores the enduring impact of philanthropy in advancing the university’s mission.
As Mercyhurst prepares to celebrate 100 years of educational excellence in 2026, the Weschlers’ investment serves as both a tribute to the university’s rich history and a vote of confidence in its future.