MONACA, Pa. — Penn State Beaver’s youth summer camps will have expanded opportunities because of a $27,500 GivingTuesday gift from National Gypsum, a supplier of Gold Bond brand gypsum wallboard.
In honor of the global giving day, which Penn State celebrated for the 11th time this year on Dec. 2, National Gypsum gave a total of $1 million across 40 schools and nonprofits in the U.S. and Canada, including Penn State Beaver. The gifts were part of National Gypsum’s annual NGC Giving program, now in its fifth year, which supports organizations that provide science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning opportunities in the communities where the organization’s associates live and work.
The gift was presented by Trey Jackson, manager of the Gold Bond plant in Shippingport, on GivingTuesday.
“Funding for our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) summer camps will help more students get hands-on, high-quality learning experiences, no matter their background,” said Valentine.
The gift from National Gypsum will go toward scholarships for students who might not otherwise be able to attend, making the camps more inclusive, Valentine said. Funds will also support the purchase and maintenance of advanced manufacturing and STEAM equipment, including robotics, coding tools, 3D printers and more, allowing campers to work with industry-standard technology and build real-world skills, she said.
“By combining financial assistance with cutting-edge learning tools, this funding will let students explore STEM fields, spark creativity and lay the groundwork for future careers in science, technology, engineering, art, and math,” Valentine said. “It’s an investment that expands opportunity, inspires learning and helps the next generation of innovators thrive.”
Donors like National Gypsum advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.