New Kensington

Penn State New Kensington's Giving Tuesday is Dec. 1

Event raises awareness of private giving’s impact on University, students

UPPER BURRELL, Pa. — Penn State New Kensington, in conjunction with other Penn State campuses, is participating in a University-wide philanthropy initiative on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Members of the Penn State community are invited to make a gift to the campus as part of Penn State’s participation in “Giving Tuesday,” a global day of giving celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving by nonprofit organizations and their supporters.

This is the second consecutive year that Penn State is participating in the giving holiday, and the University hopes to garner a broad base of support for this year’s effort.

"These are challenging fiscal times for Penn State and for the New Kensington campus," said Chancellor Kevin Snider. "Higher education is not supported at the same percentage as it was when many of us were in school. Our ability to continue being accessible is going to depend on scholarships, fellowships, paid internships and other programs designed to help struggling students through the burden of paying for higher education."

Alumni and friends are encouraged to support the campus by giving online. By designating Penn State New Kensington, a donor's gift benefits the Future Fund at the campus. The Future Fund holds unrestricted gifts that are essential to the continued success of the campus. These funds provide flexible resources to address the campus’ most pressing needs and to create opportunities. This money is applied to areas with the greatest need, like student aid and academic initiatives.

The day of philanthropy is a part of the campus’ five-year strategic plan, which features seven paths to the future:

  • strengthening educational experiences and enhancing the quality of academic programs;
  • transforming education by exploring how technology and pedagogies can expand opportunity and discovery;
  • helping to build local communities;
  • developing resources to keep higher education accessible;
  • becoming the leader in student-centered education;
  • advancing an eco-friendly and healthy campus environment;
  • embracing diversity and preparing students for a global environment.

Sustainability, poverty initiatives and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programming are the key ingredients in the campus plan, and the campus is engaging the community in these critical areas. The three key initiatives cut across several of the strategic goals and highlight the campus’ intent to become an even more important leader in the community.

"The day is about students and the community," Snider said. "Our donors aren’t just making the dream of a Penn State degree a reality for students; they are also investing in the future of the Alle-Kiski Valley and western Pennsylvania."

For more information on the event or to give online, visit http://www.givingtuesday.org/.

Credit: Penn State / Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated November 25, 2015

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