Outreach

Penn State Outreach honors two for contributions to Outreach mission

Penn State Outreach is giving awards to an innovator in major gift fundraising and to a member of the Outreach Advisory Board for their contributions to strengthening the Outreach vision.

Sandra Keiser Edwards, director of development for Outreach and Cooperation Extension from 1992-1998, is receiving the 2012 Outreach Pioneer Award. Edwards created the first major gift fundraising program in the field of continuing and distance education at a public university and was part of the management team that created Penn State’s World Campus. She also served as director of station development for WPSX-TV and WPSU-FM, Penn State’s public broadcasting stations. She currently is deputy director of museum relations for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Ark.

“Sandy was invaluable in getting the World Campus off to a good start,” said Gary Miller, executive director emeritus of the World Campus, noting that Edwards was instrumental in securing the Sloan Foundation funding that launched the online campus. “We couldn't have done it without her expertise and her commitment to the vision of Outreach at Penn State.”

Steven Schlotterbeck, a member of the Outreach Advisory Board since 2008, is being awarded the Outreach Fischer Award of Distinction. Schlotterbeck was the primary force and donor in the establishment of the Outreach Advisory Board Trustee Scholarship in the World Campus. He is a 1987 Penn State graduate with a degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering. As president of exploration and production for the EQT Corp., Schlotterbeck has provided expertise on Marcellus Shale gas opportunities to Outreach.

"Steve has been an incredibly strong supporter of Outreach, one of our most active Advisory Board members, and great friend,” said Craig Weidemann, vice president for Penn State Outreach. “He is a phenomenal leader and a superstar Penn State alum with an outstanding national reputation.”

The awards are being presented at the Outreach Appreciation Dinner on Oct. 4. The Pioneer Award is given annually to a current or former faculty or staff member for extraordinary service to advance the Outreach vision at Penn State. The Fischer Award is given to friends, donors, alumni and volunteers, also for extraordinary service in advancing the Outreach vision.

Last Updated January 9, 2015