Smeal College of Business GivingTuesday campaign to help support student success

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — This year will mark the 11th consecutive year that Penn State has participated in GivingTuesday, a global day of generosity that inspires acts of kindness and philanthropy at the start of the holiday season. Over the past decade, the University’s GivingTuesday campaigns have engaged thousands of donors and raised millions for programs that transform student experiences.

True to Penn State GivingTuesday tradition, the celebration is kicking off early, at 18:55 (6:55 p.m. EST) on Dec. 1, a nod to the year in which the University was founded.

The Penn State Smeal College of Business will raise awareness and support for two critical student-focused initiatives in 2025: the Smeal Student Emergency Fund and FIRST@Smeal.

The Smeal Student Emergency Fund provides vital assistance to students facing unexpected financial hardships that could derail their academic progress. These challenges may include a parent’s job loss, medical expenses, an additional semester of tuition or other unforeseen circumstances.

The FIRST@Smeal program supports first-generation students by bridging educational gaps, enhancing financial literacy and fostering a strong sense of community to help them thrive academically and personally.

Both funds will benefit from generous matching gifts this year, increasing the impact of every gift.

According to Jennifer Eury, Smeal’s associate dean for undergraduate education, these programs complement each other in powerful ways.

“The Student Emergency Fund can offer financial relief when life takes an unexpected turn, while FIRST@Smeal builds long-term academic and social support for our first-generation students. Together, they create a safety net and a sense of belonging,” Eury said.

“When our alumni and friends make a gift to either program on GivingTuesday, they are helping us ensure that no student is left behind."

Those interested in contributing to these programs before December can make an early gift on Penn State’s GivingTuesday event page.

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.