UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State will celebrate its 10th GivingTuesday on Dec. 3, and the Penn State Smeal College of Business will raise funds for two initiatives that contribute to its students’ success: the Smeal Student Emergency Fund and FIRST@Smeal.
GivingTuesday, an annual and global day of giving that began in 2012 as a way to inspire people to consider acts of kindness and generosity at the start of the traditional holiday shopping season, takes place annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. For a second consecutive year, an early fundraising period, which begins on Monday, Nov. 18, will allow campaigns across the University to get a jumpstart on fundraising.
Smeal’s Student Emergency Fund was created to help students facing an unanticipated crisis as they work to complete their degree. Those crises may include a parent losing a job, medical expenses, an unexpected additional semester of college, time away from the University to participate in co-ops or other professional opportunities or other events that can derail even the best laid plans to finance a college education.
Smeal alumnus John Barnes, who graduated with a degree in Accounting and International Business in 1995, and his wife Kassie, will match, dollar for dollar, the first $5,000 raised for the Smeal Student Emergency Fund.
Smeal will also raise funds for FIRST@Smeal, a new program designed to help first-generation Smeal students succeed academically and personally by bridging educational gaps, enhancing financial literacy and creating a sense of community to help address the unique challenges they face in college.
Colleen Ostrowski, who earned an MBA from Smeal in 1999, will match, dollar for dollar, the first $1,500 raised for FIRST@Smeal.
“I am proud to be part of a community that is committed to the growth and development of every Smeal student and to ensuring that all students, regardless of their background or circumstances, have the tools and resources they need to succeed,” said Juan Veruete, Smeal’s interim associate dean for undergraduate affairs.
“When donors give to the Smeal Student Emergency Fund and FIRST@Smeal this year, they’re reinforcing that commitment and furthering our impact.”
To learn more and to make a gift as part of this year’s GivingTuesday campaign, visit Smeal’s GivingTuesday websites for the Smeal Student Emergency Fund and FIRST@Smeal.
Gifts made on GivingTuesday 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.