UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State On-Campus Mentor Alumni Interest Group (PSOM AIG) has established an endowed scholarship in honor of Gail Ann Hurley, associate vice president for Auxiliary and Business Services, who is retiring this year from the University.
“Transitioning to retirement is another one of those bittersweet times in your life. And part of the transition is reflecting on your work and wondering whether or not you made a difference,” said Hurley. “PSOM AIG naming a scholarship in my honor is an affirmation of the value, meaning and purposefulness of my work. I am most grateful for that.”
The Gail A. Hurley Leadership Scholarship is designed to recognize and provide a stipend to students who are actively engaged in leadership and service within residence life at Penn State. The scholarship will be open to undergraduate students who are active members of a residence area government or current residence assistants. Eligible students must have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to selfless service in the residence halls and around campus.
PSOM AIG philanthropy chairs Jenn Bauer and Mike Carroll said that the group established the scholarship because Hurley was an important advocate, mentor and friend to many of them during their student leadership experiences at Penn State.
“One of the goals of a residential experience is to help students find and pursue leadership opportunities. As students develop their leadership skills, those skills filter out to other areas of their life, such as academic, social and professional,” said Diane Andrews, assistant vice president for Housing, Food Services and Residence Life. “Gail has always been dedicated to nurturing, encouraging and mentoring student leaders and we have seen so many of our student leaders go on to do exciting and purposeful work in many different fields. Recognizing future student leaders with a scholarship in Gail’s name is a fitting recognition of her years of dedication and excellent service to Housing, Food Services and Residence Life at Penn State.”
Hurley has been with Penn State in various roles within Student Affairs and Auxiliary and Business Services for 33 years. In her most recent role, Hurley provides vision, leadership, strategic planning and oversight for seven administrative units, including the Bryce Jordan Center, Hospitality Services, Housing and Food Services, Multimedia and Print Center, Procurement Services, Transportation Services and University Park Airport.
“Years ago when I decided to pursue Student Affairs work, it was to give back in a meaningful way,” said Hurley. “Like so many young people, my college experience was transformational and I had the good fortune of being supported by some tremendous teachers and mentors. My way of giving back was to enter the field and hopefully do for others what had been done for me. This scholarship will continue that cycle.”
Members of the University and community can honor Gail’s legacy and support student engagement opportunities by contributing to this endowment. To contribute visit www.GiveTo.psu.edu/HurleyLeadershipFund or contact Andrea Pagano-Reyes, director of development for University Programs, at amp244@psu.edu.
Gifts from Penn State’s alumni and friends have been essential to the success of the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve the public good. To fulfill that mission for a new era of rapid change and global connections, the University has begun "A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence," a fast-paced campaign focused on the three key imperatives of a public university. Private support will keep the door to higher education open and enable students to graduate on time and on track to success; create transformative experiences on Penn State campuses and around the globe that tap the full potential of Penn Staters to make a difference; and impact the world through discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. To learn more, please visit www.giveto.psu.edu.