UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — On Dec. 2, community members across the commonwealth supported Penn State Outreach by collectively giving $25,473 to support community and student programs during GivingTuesday.
That total was made possible by 181 donors, whose gifts will be used to support Outreach programs offered by The Arboretum at Penn State, the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Penn State, the Readiness Institute at Penn State, and Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center:
- Thirty-seven donors gifted $4,593 to The Arboretum at Penn State to help provide transportation for K-12 students from around Pennsylvania to visit the Arboretum.
- Nine donors gifted $1,245 to support student engagement opportunities at the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State. The funds will benefit students from the Penn State Beaver, Greater Allegheny, New Kensington and University Park campuses, providing support for them to participate in workshops, field trips, summer fellowships and more.
- Ninety-three donors gifted $13,615 to help OLLI at Penn State provide high-quality courses, engaging social activities and community outreach for its members. Susan Gordan, Dorothy and Randy Poulsen, Steve and Carol Gentry, and Alice Clark and Pam Francis provided four challenge funds.
- Two donors contributed $110 to the Readiness Institute at Penn State to support the Summer Discovery program, a transformative summer experience that empowers rising high school seniors in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny, Bedford, Blair, Cambria and Somerset counties to discover their purpose, build essential life and career skills and prepare for college, career and community.
- Forty donors gifted $5,910 to Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, which will support much-needed improvements to resident wildlife care facilities in the Klingsberg Aviary. Jim and Ellen Campbell provided a challenge fund.
This GivingTuesday marked the 11th time Outreach has participated in the University-wide celebration of philanthropy. Gifts generated this fall will provide meaningful support as Outreach looks to the new year ahead.
“Every day, Outreach works to strengthen communities throughout the commonwealth and create transformative learning opportunities for students,” said Larry Terry, vice president for Outreach. “GivingTuesday is a powerful reflection of how much the Penn State community values that mission. The generosity shown this year will allow us to deepen our impact — inspiring discovery, serving Pennsylvania and preparing students for success. We are grateful for this support, not only on GivingTuesday but throughout the year.”
Gifts made on GivingTuesday are advancing 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.