The Fasenmyer conference is named for the late Richard J. Fasenmyer '69, a longtime supporter of Penn State Behrend's School of Engineering. He founded RJF International Corp., a world leader in manufacturing and distributing interior wall coverings, industrial matting products, and specialty films.
A native of Erie, Richard J. Fasenmyer began his Penn State education at Behrend and earned a degree in accounting in 1969. His entrepreneurial skills became apparent early as he started small businesses as a teenager. Eventually, he served as Chairman and CEO of RJF International Corporation, Fabricated Extrusions Corporation, Fabricated Extrusions of Kentucky, Koroseal Wallcoverings West, Industrial Enterprise Corporation, and MANDR, LLC. He also oversaw the Richard J. Fasenmyer Foundation and was the first alumnus of Penn State Behrend to donate $1 million to the College, for which a plastics processing laboratory building bears his name. He was the 1991 Alumni Fellow and, in 2000, was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Penn State. Richard died on December 26, 2002, at the age of 55. The annual student design conference hosted by the School of Engineering was named in 2005 to honor Richard's legacy.