Ursinus to honor Dave Kovach ’90, P’21 with Bear2Bear Impact Award

Ursinus College will present Dave Kovach ’90, P’21, with the prestigious Bear2Bear Impact Award for Leadership and Service. The award recognizes individuals or organizations that have had an extraordinary impact on their local, national, or global communities through leadership and service, while being unparalleled supporters of Ursinus and its mission.

A wealth manager and partner at Creative Planning, Kovach began his 35-year career in financial services the day after his graduation from Ursinus with the Kistler Tiffany Companies. In 2003, Kovach and three partners purchased Kistler Tiffany Companies. Working with Kistler Tiffany (which recently became part of Creative Planning), Kovach built his career helping clients navigate the passing on of their family-owned businesses and estates while achieving their charitable goals.

Kovach is president of KTA Funding Hope, a charitable foundation dedicated to supporting community members affected by unforeseen circumstances. KTA Funding Hope distributes approximately $40,000 dollars per year to regional nonprofits, offering direct support to individuals in need.

Friendships formed at Ursinus gave Kovach a deep sense of community. As a member of the Alpha Pi Epsilon fraternity and captain of the football team, he formed lasting connections that have been profoundly meaningful to him. Yet, it wasn’t until his son enrolled at the college that he fully appreciated the impact Ursinus had on him. He soon after began volunteering with the Parents Leadership Council.

Kovach has served on the Bear2Bear Committee since its inception and was chair for several years. The committee organizes the annual Bear2Bear Benefit and Bash to support the Bear2Bear Student Emergency Fund, which provides immediate financial assistance to students facing hardship due to emergencies or crises. Since it began, the event has raised more than $1.2 million. This funding has allowed Ursinus students facing unexpected hardship to pursue their education under challenging circumstances. It provides completion grants which help make it possible for these students to graduate. Kovach says, “Bear2Bear is that helping hand that supports students through hardship and helps change their lives so they can become the person they dream of being.”

Kovach was recently elected to the Ursinus College Board of Trustees and Athletics Advisory Council. He believes philanthropy is rooted in community—a value instilled in him by his parents. “For them, it wasn’t just about giving money to charity,” Kovach recalls. “They were always the first ones to help anyone in need. They went above and beyond to support those around them, even people they didn’t know.”

In addition to his extensive volunteer work with the college, Kovach supports Ursinus students with his personal philanthropy. He established an annual scholarship fund to help offset the cost of college for deserving students. He has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to the Bear2Bear Student Emergency Fund and has provided funding for the new, state-of-the-art video scoreboard for Patterson Field.

“Dave’s enthusiasm for Ursinus is unparalleled, and his dedication to our community is truly inspiring. His leadership, volunteerism, and philanthropy have made a lasting impact on the college. I am deeply grateful for his unwavering commitment to Ursinus, and I am thrilled to celebrate him as the recipient of this year’s Bear2Bear Award” said President Robyn Hannigan.

“Dave embodies the true spirit of the Bear2Bear Award. His dedication to his alma mater is evident in so many ways, and we are deeply grateful for the many ways he continues to uplift Ursinus College,” said Vice President for Advancement and External Relations Michelle Yurko.

Kovach will receive the Bear2Bear Impact Award at the Bear2Bear Benefit and Bash at Rivercrest Golf Club in Phoenixville, PA on April 11, 2025. Previous winners of the award include Joan and Will ’61 Abele, Joseph DeSimone ’86, Nancy Opalack ’71, Michael T. Piotrowicz ’78, Donald E. ’55 and Joan B. ’57 Parlee, and Jef Corson P’04, H’12.

If you are interested in attending or sponsoring the event, please reach out to Liana Nathan at lnathan@ursinus.edu.