Impact

Alumnus Edward Hintz speaks to students on the 'ethics of philanthropy'

Talk part of Schreyer College's yearlong "Shaping the Future" summit

Ed Hintz sat down with students to discuss the Ethics of Philanthropy as a part of the Shaping the Future Summit 2015. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Atherton Building’s Grandfather Clock Lounge was packed with Penn State students in attendance for Distinguished Alumnus Edward Hintz’s address on "The Ethics of Philanthropy," an event which was part of the yearlong program of the Schreyer Honors College’s "Shaping the Future" Summit.

Hintz’s discussion of business integrity, his rationale behind various investments and endowments, and experiences that have motivated him to contribute several large donations to Penn State were all in line with this year’s summit theme, “The Power of Money.”

“It’s endless what kind of things you can contribute,” he said.

Accompanying Hintz was his wife, Helen Hintz, who also has made significant contributions to improving the University, and more specifically, the Presidential Leadership Academy (PLA) program. Many students of the program were in attendance at the event.

Edward Hintz referenced the endowment several times during his address as an example of meaningful and worthwhile philanthropy that he is confident is paving the future.

“I would say that the PLA is the most satisfying for us in the terms of the people we meet and the people who continue to come back,” he said. He also offered advice and wisdom to students about investing their money, time and talents.

“I think it’s as difficult for some people to handle success as it is to handle failure,” Hintz said.

Students said it always great to hear the alumni couple's perspective on any topic.

"I thought it was interesting to hear how a philanthropist from the world of finance approached the culture of greed that we often see in the financial industry,” senior Anjali Krishnan said. “Especially since Helen said they haven't really changed the way they lived over the past 10-20 years."

Senior Scholar Kari Herbauer said it’s important to know what philanthropists like the Hintzes do and why they do it.

"I enjoyed hearing the Hintz family's perspective on philanthropy, especially considering how much they have given back to Penn State,” she said. "I appreciated how Mr. Hintz focused not only on giving money, but also time, effort and talent."

The Shaping the Future Summit will continue as William Rouse addresses “Managing the Complexity of Health Care," at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 in 22 Biobehavioral Health Building.

The event is co-sponsored by the College of Engineering, College of Health and Human Development, College of Medicine, College of Nursing, Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Department of Health Policy and Administration and Engineering Systems Program.

For up-to-date information regarding this year’s Shaping the Future Summit program, visit futuresummit.psu.edu or email futuresummit@psu.edu.

Last Updated November 17, 2014