The Pennsylvania State University
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The Pennsylvania State University U-Wide Case_2012.crw2.indd 1 12/27/11 12:15 PM U-Wide Case_2012.crw2.indd 2 12/27/11 12:15 PM 1 During my thirty-four years as a member of Penn State’s faculty and administration, I have been proud to see this University grow into an international leader in countless fields and disciplines, even as we have expanded and enriched the educational opportunities we offer across the Commonwealth and beyond. In a changing world, we have reimagined and deepened our commitment to our land-grant mission, and Penn State is preparing our students for global citizenship and our nation and our communities for global success. Philanthropy has made this extraordinary transformation possible, and philanthropy will play a vital role in the next challenge that lies before us: renewing our shared sense of identity and purpose, restoring our belief—and the belief of the world—in the values that have made us great. By reaching the goals of For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students, we will not only provide the University with critical resources; we will also be keeping faith with the thousands of students and families who continue to believe that Penn State represents opportunity, integrity, and excellence. Thank you for all that you have done to support the University through the best and worst of times, and thank you for being a part of our bright future. Sincerely, Rodney A. Erickson President, The Pennsylvania State University U-Wide Case_2012.crw2.indd 3 12/27/11 12:15 PM enn State and our graduates share —Providing access so that no qualified Penduring values: a belief in the power of student is turned away or must drop out education, a commitment to helping others, because of the cost and a sense of responsibility to the larger world. Those values have touched even those —Fostering excellence in teaching and who have never enrolled in a Penn State learning, both inside and outside the class- course. Through outreach, research, cultural room events, intercollegiate athletics, publica- —Building a sense of community that invites tions, and other programs, the University student engagement has improved the lives of countless citizens of the Commonwealth and beyond. In fact, —Preparing students to be effective, ethical Washington Monthly has ranked Penn State leaders and active citizens in a global society third among all American universities and colleges for fostering social mobility, public Philanthropy has become essential to Penn service, and economic growth. State’s fulfillment of its mission to educate and serve in an increasingly competitive aca- Over the past century and a half, Penn demic marketplace. As the cost of preparing State has grown to twenty-four campuses students for a rapidly changing, technology- throughout the Commonwealth, and we driven global economy rises, and state sup- have become one of the most comprehensive port for higher education declines, tuition institutions in the country, offering nearly has increased at schools across the country, every field of study in higher education. Our including Penn State. Families are evaluating core mission remains the same, however: institutions on the economic value of their providing an excellent and affordable educa- degrees as well as educational excellence, tion for undergraduates. For the sake of the and universities and colleges are compet- students and families who have placed their ing to provide not just the best classroom confidence in this institution, the Universi- education, but also the most stimulating and ty’s trustees, faculty, administrators, and staff supportive environment for students. are committed to strengthening the qualities that make Penn State a student-centered university: U-Wide Case_2012.crw2.indd 4 12/27/11 12:15 PM 3 To fulfill our promiseto Penn State students and build upon the tradition of excel- lence that has defined our University, we ask you to join us in For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students to enable the next generation, and all succeeding generations, of our graduates to realize their full potential as individuals to sustain their families, advance their professions, and contribute to our country’s strength. It is also a campaign to enable Penn State to realize its full potential as an institution to create prosperity, keep our nation com- petitive, and enhance quality of life. All of the campaign’s objectives are directed toward a single vision: Advancing the frontiers of learning at the most comprehensive, student- centered research university in America. For the Future Campaign Goals Campaign Objective Goal Ensuring Student Opportunity $435 million Students with the ability and ambition to attend the University will have this opportunity through scholarship support. Enhancing Honors Education $100 million Students of exceptional ability will experience the best honors education in the nation. Enriching the Student Experience $164 million Students will thrive in a stimulating atmosphere that fosters global involvement, community service, creative expression, and personal growth. Building Faculty Strength and Capacity $271 million Students will study with the finest teachers and researchers. Fostering Discovery and Creativity $386 million Students and faculty members will come together within and across disciplines to pioneer new frontiers of knowledge. Sustaining a Tradition of Quality $644 million Students will continue to work and study with faculty whose scholarship is enhanced by continuing philanthropic support. Total Goal $2 billion U-Wide Case_2012.crw2.indd 5 12/27/11 12:15 PM 4 Ensuring Student Opportunity $435 million Students with the ability and ambition to attend the University will have this opportunity through scholarship support. Nothing else we do to improve the quality of a Penn State education will matter if students and families can’t afford the opportunities we offer. Scholarships are the University’s top priority in this campaign. From the very beginning, Penn State has represented new possibilities for students of modest means, and we are still creating opportunity today. More than 21 percent of University Park undergraduates and 38 percent of undergraduates at our other campuses are among the first generation in their family to attend college. Our twenty-four campuses allow students at every stage of life—from recent high school graduates to working parents to seniors returning to the classroom—access to educational opportunities within their own regions. Every year, however, we lose talented, dedicated students because of the cost of a Penn State degree. Many under- graduates work multiple jobs while carrying a full course load, yet students are graduating with an average educa- tional loan debt of more than $31,000. These financial realities are restricting the dreams of far too many stu- dents and families. There are profound consequences for our nation as well. A recent report published by Jobs for the Future, a Boston-based research organization, states that unless higher education is made more affordable, the United States will have 15.6 million fewer bachelor’s and associate-degree holders than it needs to keep up glob- ally with its top economic competitors by 2025. U-Wide Case_2012.crw2.indd 6 12/27/11 12:16 PM 5 “The Tom and Nancy Giannapoulos Trustee Scholarship helped take away the stress of paying for many different things I needed while at school. My family was very thankful for the scholarship as well. After graduation, I hope to help people in my community, and I was able to concentrate fully on my studies and future plans because of this support. My Trustee Scholarship made me work hard and feel good knowing that my hard work was not going unnoticed.” —Mark Farquharson is a senior majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. During his time at Penn State, Mark has been a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first black Greek lettered organization. After graduation, he plans to take part in the Baltimore Teaching Residency. U-Wide Case_2012.crw2.indd 7 12/27/11 12:16 PM 6 “My wife, Frances, and I have always sup- ported education, and creating scholar- ships is a natural evolution of that interest. Scholarships make it possible for the best and brightest undergraduates to pursue their academic studies at Penn State. If “There are a lot of kids here that a little you personally value your education and scholarship money will go a long way are fortunate enough to have the ability to towards helping. I’ve received letters, and support the University, scholarships allow many of them are very moving. When you to address Penn State’s greatest need some young man or woman says, ‘I was and offer the greatest personal satisfaction going to have to drop out of school; I as you follow the recipients of your support wasn’t going to make it….’ Well, I know throughout their college careers.” what that’s like because I was there. And —John K. Tsui ’60 Bus is the Chairman of Towne I’m very proud and glad that I could Development of Hawaii and a longtime leader in afford to do this.” the banking industry. He retired in 2002 as Vice Chairman and Chief Credit Officer of BancWest —Don Bellisario ’61 Com, a Journalism Corporation and President and COO of its graduate, had to borrow $600 from Penn subsidiary, First Hawaiian Bank. John and Frances State to finish his education. He never paid it Tsui have established the John K. Tsui Scholarship back, but the creator of the television series and the John K. Tsui Honors Scholarship; both JAG, NCIS, Quantum Leap, and Magnum, P.I. funds assist talented students who contribute later gave $1 million to create the Donald P. to the diversity of the Penn State community. Bellisario Trustee Scholarship. John is a member of the For the Future campaign executive committee.