Administration

Alumnus makes first gift through Penn State's Charitable Gift Fund

University Park, Pa. -- Earl K. Harbaugh, 1961 alumnus of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, and his wife, Kay L. Harbaugh, recently made the first leadership gift to the Penn State University Charitable Gift Fund (PSUGF), which will benefit the University and other charitable organizations.

The PSUGF is a newly established, donor-advised fund. In this type of gift vehicle, a donor establishes a fund with Penn State that will be used for charitable purposes. The University manages the fund, making distributions to eligible charities upon the donor's recommendation.

At least half of the distributions from the fund ultimately will be gifted to Penn State to support programs chosen by the donor. Meanwhile, the donor receives the tax benefits of a charitable gift when the fund is created but can decide at his or her pace how to distribute it. The Harbaughs' gift fund will support programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

The Harbaughs have a long history of generosity toward Penn State. Prior to this gift, they established five endowments in the College of Agricultural Sciences:

-- The Harbaugh Endowment for Entrepreneurship in the College of Agricultural Sciences was established to provide funds for the Harbaugh Entrepreneurship Forum, which brings successful entrepreneurial leaders to the university. These leaders meet with students and faculty to participate in a biannual lecture series focusing on current and future opportunities for national and international economic investment and growth in the food and fiber business sector.

-- The Earl and Kay Harbaugh Scholarship in the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Earl K. and Kay L. Harbaugh Trustee Scholarship in the College of Agricultural Sciences are funded by endowments to support undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll in the college.

-- The Earl and Kay Harbaugh Endowment for International Programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences is an endowment created to enrich the undergraduate student experience by providing funds to support study abroad programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

-- The Harbaugh Scholars Program for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was established to assist faculty in developing innovative teaching and learning processes.

Earl Harbaugh is the founder and president of several Illinois companies, the largest being Ditch Witch Midwest. Earl and Kay chair the College of Agricultural Sciences Development Council as part of the For the Future Campaign. The Harbaughs have been married 49 years and have three children and seven grandchildren.

Last Updated May 23, 2011