Penn State Altoona announced that it has received a commitment of $100,000 from Investment Savings Bank (ISB) to create an endowment and to fund scholarships in support of Summer Kids' College, an enrichment program administered by the college's Continuing Education and Training office. The first pledge payment of $20,000 was presented to Lori J. Bechtel, Penn State Altoona campus executive officer and dean, by Frank Yablinsky, executive vice president-chief executive officer of Investment Savings Bank, and Lynn Fusco, vice president of operations for the bank.
According to Bechtel, the five-year commitment is an unprecedented demonstration of philanthropic support, believed to be the first ever for a program administered by the college's Continuing Education and Training office. It will provide critical funding to fulfill the tuition assistance requests received from the parents of children who otherwise would not be able to attend Summer Kids' College.
"Investment Savings Bank exists to make a measurable, meaningful difference in and around Blair County," Yablinsky said. "Thanks to the depositors of this institution, we are proud to make this investment in our children's education, and in the future of our community. We are proud to support the unique contribution being made by Penn State's Kids' College, and especially proud to be the reason more kids than ever will be able to participate in it, benefit from it and look forward to it in the years to come."
Investment Savings Bank is the Blair County-based mutual that was recognized by the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers as the recipient of its 2004 Overall Community Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the statewide organization.
"On behalf of the entire Penn State Altoona community, I extend our gratitude to Investment Savings Bank for its philanthropic support of Summer Kids' College," Bechtel said. "We are truly appreciative of the commitment to Penn State Altoona and to the children whose lives will be enriched through involvement in the Summer Kids' College. The gift literally is the difference between a door opening and a door closing on a young child's opportunity for intellectual, social and physical development."
Summer Kids' College offers a structured, stimulating and interactive environment in which young people learn through hands-on activities, explore their special interests in depth with nurturing instructors and take the first steps along the exciting path of lifelong learning. This year, more than 100 camps will be offered during an eight-week period. Youth ages 4-18 will engage in activities and classes that will stimulate the imagination, challenge the mind, and invigorate body and spirit. All classes are taught by University-approved instructors and customized to offer activities with the appropriate mix of education and fun to each age group.
The program is marketed to more than 20,000 students in school districts throughout Bedford, Blair, Cambria and Huntingdon counties. Of the more than 1,000 registrations received annually, on average, nearly 10 percent are accompanied by a request for tuition assistance.
While a scholarship program existed previously, sufficient funding had not been available in the past to meet all requests for assistance. This summer, through the philanthropic efforts of Investment Savings Bank, more children than ever will be able to benefit from the Summer Kids' College experience.
Enrollment in Summer Kids' College has increased each of the last four years, which in turn, has led to greater demand for tuition assistance from economically disadvantaged children. For more than 20 years, Penn State Altoona has offered programs for younger students through its Continuing Education and Training office.