UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Smeal College of Business has received a gift of $75,000 from Goldman Sachs Gives, a donor-advised fund, to create the Gido Family Goldman Sachs Excellence Fund. The donation was made at the recommendation of Jeffrey M. Gido, a Penn State alumnus and partner at Goldman Sachs, and will provide financial assistance to give students who might not otherwise have the financial resources necessary to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad.
Gido, a 1994 graduate in economics and international business, spent a semester at the University of Manchester during the spring of his junior year and credits his own study-abroad experience for laying the foundation for his career success.
“Global experiences really differentiate students. My own experience provided a much deeper understanding of international business practices and how business is conducted globally, and helped me become more culturally aware,” said Gido.
Global business and international engagement are strategic priorities for Penn State and Smeal. Through the Global Penn State initiative and other programs, the University is sending students, faculty and staff abroad, bringing students and scholars from overseas, and enhancing its global network of teaching, research and service partnerships.
Smeal is a leader at Penn State in the proportion of students who study abroad in semester programs and extended-duration summer programs.
“Penn State and the Smeal College of Business recognize how important it is to offer our students global experiences in order to enrich learning, cultivate understanding and tolerance, and broaden student perspectives,” said Charles H. Whiteman, John and Becky Surma Dean of Smeal. “These experiences are life- and career-changing and the Gido Family Goldman Sachs Excellence Fund will enable even more students to take advantage of the opportunity to spend a semester in another region of the world,” Whiteman continued.
Gido cites a culture of philanthropy at Penn State, most notable in the University-wide commitment to the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON), for cultivating his personal desire to give back.
“(My wife) Wendy and I want our philanthropy to be purposeful and to provide opportunities to help students develop the tools they need to walk into an interview and really stand out. My goal is for students to leave Smeal prepared for success with whatever career path they choose and I feel fortunate to work for an employer who shares my values. Goldman Sachs Gives enables me to direct resources to areas that I feel passionate about and that can make a difference for business students at Penn State,” Gido said.
The Gidos established the Gido Family Trustee Scholarship in 2014 and have also pledged to support the Smeal College of Business Trading Room Endowment.
Penn State's alumni and friends are invaluable partners in fulfilling the University's land-grant mission of education, research and service. Private gifts from alumni and friends enrich the experiences of students both in and out of the classroom; expand the research and teaching capacity of faculty; enhance the University's ability to recruit and retain top students and faculty; and help to ensure that students from every economic background have access to a Penn State education. The University's colleges and campuses are now enlisting the support of alumni and friends to advance a range of unit-specific initiatives.
About Goldman Sachs Gives
Goldman Sachs Gives is a donor-advised fund through which Goldman Sachs and its senior employees can recommend grants to qualified nonprofit organizations globally. Established in 2007, Goldman Sachs Gives supports charities in communities around the world with a focus on benefiting underserved populations. Its grants support programs that build and stabilize communities, increase educational opportunities, honor service and veterans, and create jobs and economic growth.