Edna Peterson Bennett Pierce

One of the ways in which Penn State recognizes the generous contributions of its donors is by giving three annual awards: Corporate Partner of the Year, Fundraising Volunteer of the Year, and Philanthropist of the Year. Edna Peterson Bennett Pierce was awarded the 2012 Philanthropist of the Year. A 1953 Penn State graduate, Bennett Pierce has worked to improve the University, particularly within the College of Health and Human Development. An advocate of children’s health, Bennet Pierce has funded several campus buildings, programs, and fellowships. Located off of Bigler Road, the Bennett Family Center offers on-campus child care. Additionally, a large portion of Bennett Pierce’s generous multi-million dollar endowment towards the College of Health and Human Development is used to support the Prevention Research Center for the Promotion of Human Development. The work of Bennett Pierce is a particularly compelling example of philanthropy at Penn State because it is such a strong reflection of her life-long passion for children’s health and disease research.

Throughout the course of the semester, I have developed a true understanding of what it means to give back to a community from my writing on philanthropy at Penn State. While there are so many excellent and important ways to enhance the quality of education through financial support at a university, perhaps what has struck me the most about philanthropy is its importance on all levels. Indeed, the more generous a gift the more accessible change might be. This does not mean, however, that small gifts cannot have an equally significant impact. Philanthropy is not just about oversized checks and dressy dinners. Philanthropy is about honor, loyalty, and selflessness. With these values, it is not necessary to have a lot to be a philanthropist. Anyone who works to augment the quality of a community through personal initiative and dedication, in their own right, can become philanthropist of the year.

Penn State University honors the organizations, businesses, and individuals that support the institution and all of its talented students and faculty. I feel honored to be a part of such a strong community and look forward to spending the next three years making Penn State the very best it can be.

The Penn State Sustainability Institute is one of Penn State’s newest and biggest sustainability initiatives. Comprised of the Office of Sustainability and the Center for Sustainability, and the institute is only about two years old. The goal of the Sustainability Institute is to unite students, faculty, and the entirety of Penn State in an immersive educational experience centered around community development, environmental consciousness, and economic well-being. The institute serves as a resource for students, faculty, and the community with interests in sustainability.

The Penn State Center for Sustainability is active, with a diverse array of events and programs. The center is currently working to develop of an intercollege minor in sustainability leadership. The center also maintains a community garden, promotes the Green Energy Challenge competition, and sponsors many more projects geared towards student involvement in sustainability initiatives. For a complete list and descriptions of the programs  offered by the Center for Sustainability, visit their website.

As a new agency, the Sustainability Institute is seeking the support of sponsors and donors who are committed to the success of sustainability at Penn State. Philanthropists are encouraged to sponsor programs, donate to projects, and fund scholarships to support the students with educational pursuits in sustainability.

The MorningStar house is an example of a project that flourished under the support of contributors. The team received funds from many generous businesses and donors, and it was due to their support that the house placed fourth internationally and is now located on campus for research purposes.

The Sustainability Institute is a remarkable undertaking for the university that is defining the future of Penn State. The institute’s mission to provide a well-rounded, socially responsible education to all students is truly a forward-thinking philosophy. For more information about the Center for Sustainability, visit the website.

The second annual Penn State Day of Philanthropy was held on November 15, 2012 across several Penn State campuses. The purpose of the Day of Philanthropy is to educate students and affiliates of Penn State on the importance of philanthropy at the university. Student philanthropic groups and other organizations that benefit from philanthropy are represented at the HUB on the Day of Philanthropy to inform the student body on the significance of donations and financial support to such a diverse research university.

In addition to raising awareness at Penn State about the role of philanthropy in the daily lives of the students and faculty, the Day of Philanthropy also encourages alumni and other Penn State supporters to donate to the school. All donations made on the Day of Philanthropy go towards For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students. The campaign is the largest in the history of the university, with the aim of raising $2 billion by 2014. The goal of the campaign is to keep Penn State tuition affordable, while making Penn State the best research university for students in the country. Information on the  progress on the campaign can be found at the Giving to Penn State site.

The Day of Philanthropy is not only significant because it educates and encourages students, faculty, and alumni to be aware of philanthropy. The event also offers a unique opportunity for student groups to interact with other organizations and the student body. The Penn State community is enriched through the kind of outreach the Day of Philanthropy provides. In sum, the Day of Philanthropy showcases the best of what Penn State has to offer: a diverse group of ambitious students and a loyal support system.

Additional information about the 2012 Day of Philanthropy can be found at the Penn State philanthropy site. Most importantly, be sure to visit the HUB next semester for the 2013 Day of Philanthropy!

The Penn State University Library system consists of thirty-six libraries and boasts an impressive five million items. With twenty-four locations across Pennsylvania, the system is growing by about 100,000 volumes every year. The libraries serve the twenty Penn State campuses and are the result of centuries of generosity and philanthropy.

The Penn State library system has its beginnings in an original collection of agriculture and science volumes located in Old Main during the first few decades following the university’s founding in 1865. Rapid expansion moved the library to the Carnegie Building in beginning of 20th century. Funded by Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Building had a capacity of around 50,000 books. With such rapid growth, the collection at University Park outgrew its library. From 1937 to 1940, a Public Works Administration General State Authority project built the Pattee Library. By the mid 1960s, the Pattee Library had been expanded three times with a collection of 800,000 books. Wishing to further grow the library, fundraising projects were undertaken. The Paterno Library, an addition to the Pattee Library, was dedicated in 2000 after contributions totaling $350,000 from Joe and Sue Paterno. In Joe Paterno’s words on the importance of libraries, “You cannot have a great university without an outstanding library and an outstanding liberal arts school.” The Pattee and Paterno Libraries now hold five subject libraries as well as workrooms and media resources.

In addition to the Pattee-Paterno library, several smaller libraries on campus are available to students and faculty, including the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Library, the Schreyer Business Library, and the Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library. The Penn State University Library System also participates in an interlibrary loan for access to materials not in Penn State circulation.

Penn State’s broad and diverse library system is an asset to the thousands of students and faculty that study and research at Penn State. Thanks to hundreds of years of public and private contributions, the libraries at Penn State continue to grow each year.

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History of Penn State Library System

The Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University is ranked eighth in the nation for overall excellence and fourth in the nation among honors programs of over 1,800 students. A highly respected and prestigious program, The honors college at Penn State was founded in 1997 by a $30 million gift from William and Joan Schreyer. William Schreyer was a Penn State alumni and former CEO of Merrill Lynch & Co. The Schreyers remain the largest donors in Penn State history.

William Schreyer was a commerce and finance major and member of the Penn State Class of 1948. Beginning his prosperous 45 year career as an intern at Merrill Lynch at the age of twenty, Schreyer eventually became CEO of the company. Schreyer was passionate about serving the Penn State community. Schreyer held three terms as president of the Penn State Board of Trustees. He also served as chairman of the “Campaign for Penn State” and honorary chairman of a two billion fundraising project called “For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students.” The Schreyers made an additional $25 million gift in 2006 to the Schreyer Honors College.

The Schreyer Honors College offers excellent opportunities and support to its scholars. The college offers over 250 honors courses, yearly scholarships, advising, and student-faculty programs. The honors college bridges the gap between a large university and a small college experience.

William Schreyer was a hardworking and tremendously influential figurehead. A successful businessman, Schreyer has left a legacy of success in the career world and his tremendous character has left an imprint on the entire Penn State University. In his memoirs, Still Bullish on America, William Schreyer expressed his goals for the Schreyer Honors College and scholars:

      …I want them to be leaders. Yes, to be good academics and scholars, but also to be          able to make a real difference out in the world, no matter what field they go into—               business, biochemistry, or whatever. To be the best.”

As a Penn State student, I am always discovering great new places on campus that I had never previously visited. The Krause Innovation Studio, a learning studio located in the Chambers Building, is one such location. The studio is the result of a $6.5 million gift from Gay and Bill Krause and was opened in March 12, 2012. The lab serves as a meeting space and research hub for students and faculty.

The Innovation Studio was designed to promote research into the role of technology in the modern classroom. The studio is divided into three distinct areas. The open lounge is furnished with sound-mitigating couches and group study nooks. The private conference rooms can be reserved for maximum three-hour time slots either online or over the phone. The learn lab is the largest room, capable of seating twenty-five to thirty people. Faculty can request the learn lab for occasional classes or can submit a proposal requesting access to the learn lab for an entire semester. It is no surprise that the studio is technologically up-to-date; all three spaces are equipped with television monitors that can be connected to laptops to share information among groups.

There is a variety of research being conducted at the studio, ranging from learning analytics to mapping the technology economy within academia. Students and faculty interested in getting involved with the Innovation Studio or research in pedagogy and technology can talk to one of the staff at the learning center or visit the Krause Innovation Studio website. There are plenty of other opportunities to get involved with the studio as well. The lab hosts symposiums and other forums throughout the year to encourage discussion of technology’s place in education and how to create more effective learning spaces. Even paying a visit to the symposium or scheduling group meetings in one of the conference rooms is a great way to support the studio’s mission.

A big thanks to the Krauses for their support of Penn State and modern education.

Berkey Creamery ice cream. Yet another reason to attend to Penn State, or just visit on a hot (or cold) afternoon. Penn State ice cream is a bit of a national legacy. All Penn Staters know that the mixing of flavors is not allowed. The only exception was made for President Bill Clinton when he mixed Cherry Quist and Peachy Paterno. Creamery products are ubiquitous on campus; all dining halls on Penn State’s campus serve Berkey Creamery milk and ice cream. A trip to the creamery is a must for any Penn State visitor.

While many have heard of Penn State’s Berkey Creamery, a lot probably do not know that the creamery is the product of the loyalty and generosity of the Berkey family. The Berkey family operated the Berkey Milk Company in Pennsylvania from 1968 to 1977. Working closely with the University, the Berkeys cooperated with Penn State students in their career pursuits in the dairy industry. Several Penn State students were even hired for management positions within the company. The Berkey’s also contributed a large sum of money to the construction of the current Food Sciences Building, which houses the Creamery store and facilities for student and faculty research. Milk is delivered every two days from the Penn State cow barns and processed at the Food Sciences Building. The Creamery and processing facilities are located on the corner of Curtin and Bigler Roads.

The Berkey Creamery is a fantastically unique resource for Penn State students and faculty alike. The top quality testing, processing, and storage equipment available to the University are a real asset to agriculture and food science at Penn State and across the nation. The Berkey Creamery is purely Penn State in character. After all, how many people can say their university creamery was the largest in the country?

Prior to my university enrollment, I had spent several summer days visiting the arboretum at Penn State. Appreciating the changing beauty of the newly landscaped gardens, I savored the fantastic colors of fragrances of the arboretum. My mom would walk along the paths also enjoying the scenery, but taking particular interest in the variety of plants flourishing in the summer sun. A talented gardener, my mom was always looking for inspiration for our home garden. My family and I always enjoyed our afternoons spent at the arboretum.

As it turns out, what we were enjoying was a project that had its beginnings about a century ago. As early as the 1920’s, proposals had been made for the creation of an arboretum, or nursery, on campus. Unfortunately, due to inadequate funds, these proposals were mostly brushed aside until the 1994, when university Associate Vice President James Wagner appointed a task force to look into the costs and benefits of an arboretum at Penn State. With the support of a $10 million gift from Charles H. Smith in honor of his father, in 2007 the arboretum had the funds necessary for construction. Additional gifts from private individuals has greatly enriched the quality of the 370 acre arboretum.

Besides offering a beautiful place for students and the community to enjoy, the arboretum hosts other activities. The Air Quality and Learning Demonstration Center holds events aimed at educating the public about air pollution. The Avian Education Program encompasses lectures, workshops, bird walks, and volunteer opportunities for maintaining birding areas at the arboretum. The arboretum is also the site of student and faculty research.

There are many ways to get involved at the arboretum. Students interested in botanical studies have the opportunity to intern. The arboretum also accepts volunteers to help maintain the gardens and the grounds. For those interested in making financial donations, individuals can sponsor a tree or a bench. By making a donation to the arboretum, individuals can also become Friends of the Arboretum. Other ways of supporting the arboretum can be found on their website.

The arboretum at Penn State is such a great example of philanthropy because it demonstrates the true power of gift-giving. After a century of planning and attempted fundraising, the arboretum finally became a reality thanks to the generous philanthropic gestures of the community. The next time I visit the arboretum, I will now have a new appreciation for the generosity of State College and Penn State.

The Palmer Museum of Art is local landmark of art within the State College community. Located at University Park, PA, the museum is a both a privilege and hallmark of philanthropy at Penn State University.

Built in 1972, the original museum only contained three galleries, compared to its seven permanent galleries today. The building was renovated and expanded in 1993, and then again in 2003. The museum was named after James and Barbara Palmer, who donated their two million dollar American art collection to the museum. This contribution is a big reason that the museum is the exceptional institute that it is.

Portrait of Barbara and James Palmer by Jerome Witkin

In addition to the generous gift of the Palmers, the museum has benefited from the philanthropic efforts of many of other individuals who have donated both artwork and funds to the museum. Slowly, the museum has expanded from a small permanent collection hosting temporary collections to a diverse and impressive collection of art ranging from ancient artifacts to modern American art. According the Palmer website, over half of the 6,000 piece permanent collection was donated or funded by outside sources.

For those interested in supporting the museum, donation boxes are available inside the doors of the museum. In addition to both small-scale and large-scale philanthropic support, the Palmer is also funded by the dues-paying members of the Friends of the Palmer Museum of Art. Founded in 1974, the society holds events for members and is the fundraising body of the museum. Volunteers also contribute by giving tours and organizing special events.

Affirmative Action, 1987, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 88 1/4 inches, by Jerry Kearns (American, b. 1943). Gift of Joseph D. and Janet M. Shein. Collection of the Palmer Museum of Art.

The Palmer is open to all and is free admission. Tours can be requested for groups of ten or more. School tours are also common for students taking field trips to the museum. Special events, including lectures and presentations from Penn State professors, are held frequently throughout the year. More information about special events and tours can be found at the Palmer Museum of Art website.

As a Penn State student and a life-long visitor of the Palmer Museum of Art, I would highly encourage every student and member of the community to visit the museum at least once. A unique and memorable experience, the Palmer represents some of the best philanthropic efforts at Penn State.

The tradition of the senior class gift began with the Class of 1861 with the portrait of Evan Pugh, currently located in Old Main. Ever since then, the graduating classes of Penn State University have made contributions to the school, many of which are still seen around campus today. The Nittany Lion Shrine is arguably the most famous of these class gifts, as it is the symbol of Penn State.

The Nittany Lion Shrine was a gift from the Class of 1940. Completed in 1942 by German sculptor Heinze Warneke, the lion shrine was crafted from 13 tons of Indiana Limestone, high quality deposits from southern Indiana. The location for the lion shrine was chosen for its distance from other buildings and the surrounding wooded landscape. The shrine is rumored to be the most photographed location on campus. Indeed, it is a well-known Penn State tradition to get a photograph with the lion.

The Nittany Lion Shrine has a rather colorful history, beginning with the tradition of guarding the shrine. In 1966, several days before a Syracuse football game, Sue Paterno and a friend secretly painted the lion orange in order to spark enthusiasm for the upcoming game. The paint Sue Paterno used was easily removed, however several Syracuse fans painted the lion with an oil-based paint later in the week. Since the defacement of the lion shrine, Penn State ROTC’s Lion’s Guard and other students participate in the annual event of guarding the lion shrine.

Last year, the Class of 2012 announced their intention to donate $50,000 towards improvements to lion shrine as their senior class gift. The improvements will include landscaping, lighting, and a display describing information about the history of the shrine and its sculptor.

The Nittany Lion Shrine is undoubtedly one of university’s most treasured pieces. Symbolic of the unity and power of the Penn State community, the shrine shows the world that WE ARE…PENN STATE.

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For more information about Guarding the Lion Shrine, visit the Lion Ambassadors website

To get involved with the senior class gift: Senior Class Gift