Shippensburg University will celebrate the accomplishments of undergraduate students during its winter commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 10 at 11:00 a.m. at Heiges Field House.
The ceremony will feature remarks from Chris Pruitt ’84, president and CEO of East Penn Manufacturing Co., maker of Deka Batteries.
East Penn Manufacturing is the largest privately-held battery manufacturer in the world with over 10,000 employees. Pruitt also serves on the Board of Directors of East Penn Manufacturing Co., and the company’s Family Council and Foundation.
He has been with the company since May of 1994 when he was hired as the controller, and has held numerous financial positions including chief financial officer.
Prior to joining East Penn, he was a certified public accountant at Ernst & Young for 10 years. He earned a BSBA degree in accounting from Shippensburg University in 1984.
He currently serves on several industry boards including chairman of Battery Council International (BCI), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), and the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.
He is also on the Board of Flinchbaugh Engineering located in York, PA and Burnham Holdings in Lancaster, PA.
An active member of his community, he has served as chairman of: the Board of the Wyomissing Foundation; The United Way of Berks County, board member of YMCA; president and treasurer of The Children’s Home of Reading; board member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters; board member of the Children Advisory Center; treasurer and board member of The Reading Area Community College Foundation; audit committee chairman and, board member of the Berks Community Foundation.
He has received numerous awards for his work in the community with the YMCA, United Way, and Berks Community Television.
Pruitt and his wife, Robin ’84 have two daughters, Kelly and Lindsay. Kelly is an elementary school teacher, and Lindsay is a nurse.
