Alumni Association pledges $100,000 in scholarships for Penn State alumni who enroll at Penn State Law

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Continuing its long history of philanthropy to the University, the Penn State Alumni Association has pledged a gift of $1.5 million to support student scholarships across Penn State over the next five years, including $100,000 to support students at Penn State Law who received their undergraduate degree from Penn State. This pledge supports Penn State’s upcoming fundraising initiative, "A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence," which includes as one of its core priorities a commitment to broad scholarship support.

“We believe in Penn State students collectively as the foundation and future of this great University,” said Alumni Association President Kevin R. Steele, 1992g. “This gift provides an opportunity for us to recognize students individually in a way that we hope eases their financial concerns, helps them stay focused academically, and shows them that their alumni family supports their success.”

Proceeds for the gift will come from the Alumni Association’s Margin of Excellence Fund, an endowment established in 2000 to support major gifts to the University. The $1.5 million pledge will be paid over five years at a rate of $300,000 annually. The Penn State Law scholarship is part of the year one disbursement.

“Penn State alumni have an unparalleled commitment to our students and University. They are always ready to step up to mentor our students, collaborate with our faculty and staff, and provide generous financial support for our students in need,” said Penn State President Eric Barron. “On behalf of the University community, I offer my sincerest appreciation to the Alumni Association for this extraordinary gift. Penn State alumni are proven leaders in so many areas, including philanthropy.”

In year one, in addition to supporting Penn State Law, the gift will provide $50,000 to set up a general scholarship in the Penn State College of Nursing and $150,000 in funding for the Alumni Association Trustee Scholarship, established in 2003. In subsequent years, gifts will go to support the Alumni Association Trustee Scholarship, which has provided more than 230 awards since its inception.

“Part of the attraction to coming to Penn State was knowing what a highly engaged and extensive alumni base and association there is here,” said Rich Bundy, vice president for development and alumni relations. “The Alumni Association’s generous pledge to students is a shining example of Penn State’s continued commitment to bettering the student experience.”

Since 1988, the Alumni Association has contributed more than $15.3 million to Penn State, including support for undergraduate research, graduate fellowships, teaching fellow awards, the Blue Band practice facility, study abroad, and, most recently, an historic $150,000 matching gift to the 2016 Senior Class Gift, which supports the University’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) program.

Established in 1870, the Penn State Alumni Association connects alumni to the University and to each other; provides valuable benefits to members; and supports the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. More information about the Alumni Association is available at alumni.psu.edu.