University Park, Pa. -- Penn State's leading student agricultural club has reached an important fundraising milestone in its efforts to establish a scholarship endowment.
Block and Bridle, an organization for undergraduate students interested in animal sciences, has raised $20,000 -- the first stage in its goal to establish a $100,000 endowment. The $20,000 raised so far will make the fund self-sustaining and will allow for growth and interest earnings annually.
Reaching the $20,000 milestone also will enable the new endowment to provide club members with financial support to acknowledge their commitment and service to the agricultural community. When the final goal of $100,000 is achieved, the monies from the endowment also will be used to help students fund educational travel courses, attendance at the Block and Bridle national convention and industry meetings, and club trips to important agricultural enterprises.
Block and Bridle is a national organization with chapters at 92 colleges and universities. The group's goals are to promote a higher scholastic standard and a more complete understanding of animal science among student members; to promote animal agriculture through activities that will supplement students' study of the animal sciences; to enhance professionalism of students who one day will be leaders in the animal-agriculture industry; and to bring about a closer relationship among all students pursuing some phase of animal agriculture as a profession.
The Penn State chapter participates in such educational and community-service activities as the Eastern National Meat Judging Contest, Red Cross blood drives, the Pennsylvania Beef Expo, the Keystone International Livestock Expo, Meat Education Day, Heifer International and Operation Christmas Child, among others.
For more information on Block and Bridle and how to donate to the scholarship endowment, visit the club's website.