UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State named Chevron its Corporate Partner of the Year at a dinner Friday, Sept. 14. University President Rodney Erickson presented the award to recognize the company’s wide-ranging philanthropy to the University.
“Chevron and Penn State have built a remarkable partnership over many years,” Erickson said, “and Chevron has shown extraordinary generosity in promoting and supporting the University. The company has made major investments in educational programs, student scholarships and facilities in multiple fields of study, increasing access and helping us turn our students into highly qualified graduates."
Chevron, the second-largest integrated oil company in the United States and among the largest corporations in the world, considers Penn State to be a strategic school -- one that is critical to the company in terms of recruiting and research. To date, the company’s investment in Penn State has totaled more than $19 million in philanthropy and research support combined, with roughly half of that amount representing philanthropic investment.
Chevron’s most recent gift to Penn State, a grant of $549,500 this year, reflects the scope of Chevron’s philanthropy. The gift will support several initiatives across the University, including field trips and travel, diversity programming, laboratory upgrades and student organizations in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences; student projects, diversity programming, and career development programs in the College of Engineering; professional development and recruiting events in the Smeal College of Business; and University-wide events such as the Palmer Museum of Art Gala and the IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, or THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, raising funds to conquer pediatric cancer.
In describing Chevron’s strategic partnership with Penn State and its impact on the University, Erickson said, “It means new and better opportunities for our students. It means first-rate equipment to facilitate research and learning. It means innovative research initiatives that lead to safer and more efficient practices for producing energy. It means, ultimately, making a difference in people’s lives, here and across the globe, now and in the years to come.”
Accepting the award on behalf of Chevron was Bruce Niemeyer, vice president of the company’s Appalachian/Michigan business unit. “Our vision is to be the global energy company most admired for its people, partnership and performance,” Niemeyer said. “Partnership is essential to our vision because relationships with quality institutions outside our walls bring new ideas and perspectives that help us realize the potential in our organization.”
“Our commitment to Penn State has never been stronger than as it is today, and we look forward to continuing that relationship for many years to come,” Niemeyer added.
Penn State's previous Corporate Partners of the Year include Toshiba/Westinghouse, Dow Chemical, Boeing, Highmark, PNC, Barnes and Noble, Lockheed Martin and Bank of America.