Impact

State College businesses support Penn State Military Student Fund

The American Legion Post No. 245 Honor Guard presented the colors at the First Friday event in downtown State College on Nov. 3, 2017.  Credit: Downtown State College Improvement DistrictAll Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The State College Downtown Improvement District kicked off Military Appreciation Week with a military-themed First Friday event on Nov. 3. As part of the festivities, and to demonstrate their support for the military, several State College businesses donated a portion of their First Friday sales to the Penn State Military Student Fund.

“This evening is a physical expression of our community’s appreciation for what our armed service members — past and present — have done for our country, as well as a catalyst for giving back via the scholarship fund,” said Irene Miller, executive director of the Downtown State College Improvement District.

The total money raised for the Military Student Fund will be revealed during a check presentation from Miller to Penn State President Eric Barron at Penn State’s Military Appreciation Tailgate on Saturday, Nov. 11. Thanks to the generosity of Penn State supporters, alumni and area businesses, the annual tailgate, now in its fifth year, will provide food, refreshments and entertainment to more than 10,000 active-duty service members, veterans and their families prior to the Military Appreciation Day football game against Rutgers. In addition to the tailgate, 7,500 tickets to the game were donated to members of the military community through the Seats for Servicemembers Program.

Established in 2014, the Penn State Military Student Fund has awarded nearly $36,000 in scholarships to 19 students. The fund is a nonendowed scholarship, with 100 percent of the proceeds distributed each year to military-affiliated students at any Penn State location who are in need of financial assistance.

Last Updated November 7, 2017