Penn State Shenango mourns the passing of philanthropist Dorothy Bieber

SHARON, Pa. - The Penn State Shenango campus community is mourning longtime campus advocate and philanthropist Dorothy "Dottie" Bieber, who passed away at her home in Sharon on Feb. 11, at the age of 96.

Bieber and her husband, Henry, were lifelong residents of the Shenango Valley and active community members and volunteers with multiple organizations. Dottie was very involved with Girl Scouts, and received the Juliette Gordon Low Award, the organization's highest honor. Additionally, she served in multiple roles as a member of the Sharon Rotary Club, the United Way, Church Women United, Hermitage Women's Club, College Club and Shenango Valley Urban League. She was also one of the founding members of the Mercer County chapter of League of Women Voters.

As a fourth-grade teacher in the Farrell Area School District, superintendent of Sunday School at the First Presbyterian Church of Sharon, and health education teacher at Planned Parenthood, Dottie understood the value of education.

In 2005, in an effort to uplift local students and help them achieve their goals of a brighter future and self-sufficiency leading to more fulfilling lives, Bieber established the Henry and Dorothy Bieber Trustee Scholarship at Penn State Shenango. Since its creation, the scholarship has awarded more than $78,000 to Shenango students.

By supporting the educational dreams of local students, Bieber fulfilled her goals of helping the larger Shenango Valley community grow and living out her personal motto, "bloom where you are planted."

"Dottie exemplified the true meaning of being both a lifelong learner and a servant leader," said Frank Gargiulo, director of development at Penn State Shenango. "She valued education personally, and she led others to education through her generosity."

In October 2025, as part of the campus' 60th anniversary celebration, Bieber was recognized at Penn State Shenango's McDowell Appreciation Dinner as an inaugural recipient of the Time, Talent, and Treasure Award, an honor directed to alumni, donors, community members and former employees who have made a significant impact on the campus.

Dottie's family has asked that those who are considering making memorial donations to support the Henry and Dorothy Bieber Trustee Scholarship, which assists local students attending Penn State.