ABINGTON, Pa. — Penn State Abington is known for its welcoming community, so it’s only fitting that for its 75th anniversary, the extended family turned out to honor its roots and envision its future.
The Philanthropy and Alumni Awards dinner kicked off the weekend by celebrating the power of philanthropy. Donors, including members of the Ogontz Society, Abington’s premier giving society, gathered to connect and share their stories.
“This year, we reflect and honor eight decades of alumni whose generosity continues to reverberate. The ripple effect is unmistakable: When our students succeed, their families and communities benefit — locally, nationally and globally,” Chancellor Gary Liguori said.
Six 2025 alumni award winners were honored for their contributions and impact, and student scholarship recipients attended, many of whom met their benefactors for the first time.
Liguori closed the evening with a call to action.
“As we consider the future of our campus, I look forward to working with you and additional philanthropic partners to help make the four pillars of the Abington Experience available to all students,” he said, referencing the initiative that prioritizes internships, travel, research and leadership to launch students from campus to career.
The next day, the rain turned up uninvited, but it didn’t stop the men's and women's soccer teams from winning their homecoming games. During a break in the action, Liguori introduced the first 10 members of the Athletics Hall of Fame. They will be formally inducted in January.
On campus, people enjoyed Berkey Creamery ice cream, food trucks and games. In the Woodland Building, anyone could look into the library’s archives documenting Abington’s interesting history — prior to 1950, the property housed a private school for young women that included Amelia Earhart and TV legend Mr. Rogers’ mom. There also were open houses that focused on the arts, sciences, the Abington LaunchBox entrepreneurship hub, and the MakerSpace collaborative workspace.
In the evening, a packed house enjoyed the Brazilian rhythms of Minas, a Philadelphia-based ensemble.
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