Administration

Burke Trustee Scholarship supports students, capital campaign

When Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, announced the creation of the Jack and Candy Burke Trustee Scholarship in honor of the college's retiring chancellor and his wife, Penn State Behrend and the regional community responded swiftly.

To date, nearly 200 faculty, staff and friends of the college have contributed $118,764 in gifts and commitments to the Jack and Candy Burke Trustee Scholarship to, ultimately, support students -- the target of the University's current capital campaign, For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students.

"I have always said that I want Penn State Behrend students to be difference makers. For many students, scholarship support is a crucial component to ensure they first make it through to graduation," said Burke, who will retire today (June 30) after 29 years of service to the college. "It is truly an honor to see this level of support for our students."

Penn State Behrend opted to establish a Trustee Scholarship to honor the Burkes because it doubles its impact on students.

The Trustee Scholarship program is part of an effort by Penn State to secure private support University-wide for new undergraduate scholarships. This scholarship program has a unique matching component to maximize these efforts -- the University matches the income from the gift annually, doubling the financial impact of the scholarship. A $50,000 gift for this purpose, which might generate $2,500 per year or 5 percent in spendable income, is matched by an additional 5 percent from the University every year in perpetuity.

All gifts made to the Jack and Candy Burke Trustee Scholarship will support Penn State Behrend in its goal to raise $32 million during the For the Future campaign. As the University enters the public phase of the campaign, Penn State Behrend has secured nearly $21 million to date while Penn State has raised more than $1 billion University-wide. For the Future is the largest campaign in University history, with a goal to raise $2 billion by 2014.

To contribute to the Jack and Candy Burke Trustee Scholarship or the program of your choice, contact Penn State Behrend's Office of Development and Alumni Relations by phone at 814-898-6159 or via mail at Logan House, 4215 Station Road, Erie, PA 16563.

Last Updated June 30, 2010

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