Academics

Trustee scholarship established in honor of Shenango Chancellor Leeds

From left to right are, Dallas Hartman, Steve Hessmann, Fred Leeds and Richard Marean. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Penn State Shenango alumni and friends recently honored their former Chancellor Fred Leeds by creating the Dr. Fredric M. Leeds Trustee Scholarship to recognize Leeds for his 42 years of dedicated service to Penn State. Steve Hessmann, director of development and alumni relations at Penn State Shenango, announced one of the newest campus scholarships at the annual Penn State Shenango McDowell Scholarship Dinner.

 

“It was my distinct honor to work on this scholarship,” said Hessmann. “Fred has meant so much to this University, the Shenango campus and our community. By its creation, family, friends and alumni were able to participate in honoring him for his years of service.”

The announcement was made following the heartfelt speeches by two of Leeds’ former students, Richard Marean, Class of 1976, Liberal Arts, director, Supply Chain, Carestream Health Inc., in Rochester, N.Y., and Dallas Hartman, president/owner, Dallas W. Hartman P.C., in New Castle, Pa. Both spoke fondly about Leeds and how he inspired them in the classroom, which helped lead to their successful careers.

 

The Leeds Trustee Scholarship was established from more than 100 donors donating more than $70,000 in Leeds’ honor. The Trustee Matching Scholarship Program maximizes the impact of private giving while directing funds to students as quickly as possible, meeting the urgent need for scholarship support. For Trustee Scholarships created through the end of For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students on June 30, 2014, Penn State will provide an annual 10 percent match of the total pledge or gift. This level is an increase from the program’s original match of 5 percent, and it is available only for new endowments of $50,000 or more. The University match, which is approximately double the endowment’s annual spendable income, continues in perpetuity, multiplying the support available for students with financial need.

"What makes this scholarship meaningful to me is that it was established by my colleagues, my former students, my friends and my family,” said Leeds. “It is gratifying to retire on a high note, knowing that generations of Shenango students will benefit from the kindness of those for whom I have sincere affection."

 

Leeds retired from Penn State Shenango on Dec. 31. He earned his baccalaureate degree in French from Hunter College and his master’s and doctoral degrees in French from Penn State. Leeds began his career at the Shenango campus in 1971 as an assistant professor of French. For many years he also taught humanities. Leeds was also appointed director of academic affairs, a position that involved working closely with faculty and students. Before being appointed chancellor in 2005, Leeds served as acting executive officer twice during campus transition periods.

The Leeds Trustee Scholarship will support Penn State Shenango’s goals in For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students, which is directed toward a shared vision of Penn State as the most comprehensive, student-centered research university in America. The University is engaging Penn State’s alumni and friends as partners in achieving six key objectives: ensuring student access and opportunity, enhancing honors education, enriching the student experience, building faculty strength and capacity, fostering discovery and creativity, and sustaining the University’s tradition of quality. The campaign’s top priority is keeping a Penn State degree affordable for students and families. The For the Future campaign is the most ambitious effort of its kind in Penn State’s history, with the goal of securing $2 billion by 2014.

 

For more information about the Leeds Trustee Scholarship, contact Steve Hessmann at 724-983-2907.

Last Updated January 8, 2014