Panel

First Lady of PA, Judge Marjorie Rendell
==== Marjorie O. Rendell First Lady of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Marjorie Osterlund Rendell became the 43rd [|First Lady]of Pennsylvania when her husband, Governor Edward G. Rendell, was sworn in as Governor of Pennsylvania on January 21, 2003. Judge Rendell, a cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, received her Juris Doctor degree from the Villanova University School of Law in 1973. Inducted as a judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in March of 1994, Judge Rendell was elevated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in November of 1997. As First Lady, Judge Rendell’s primary initiative focuses on imparting civic responsibility to our children through civic learning. She is a member of the National Advisory Council of the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools, and is a lead partner of the Pennsylvania Coalition for Representative Democracy (PennCORD). She feels it is important to cultivate a shared concern for citizenship, so that our children can gain an understanding of our representative democracy and foster a greater understanding of their rights and responsibilities as young citizens in the democratic process.

PA Secretary of Education, Dr. Jerry Zahorchak


Gerald L. Zahorchak, Ed. D., was nominated by Governor Edward G. Rendell to serve as Secretary of Education on October 5, 2005 and confirmed by the Senate of Pennsylvania on February 7, 2006. Prior to his nomination, Dr. Zahorchak served as Deputy Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education where he was responsible for the education of more than 1.8 million school children in the Commonwealth. Through the course of his career, Dr. Zahorchak has exemplified dynamic leadership at every level. He has led a vast array of national, state and local initiatives aimed at improving and expanding public education systems by focusing on economic development, building human capital and ensuring strong community involvement and endorsement. Dr. Zahorchak has worked with students at virtually every level of education as a superintendent, principal, teacher and football coach. As a devoted member of the Johnstown community, Dr. Zahorchak has also served in numerous civic roles. Over his distinguished career as an educator and public servant, Dr. Zahorchak has received numerous awards and recognitions. He is a highly regarded national educational leader and is a prominent member of the Council of Chief State School Officers. Dr. Zahorchak received his doctorate from The Pennsylvania State University, holds a master’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from St. Francis University.