UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Voting for the 2020 Penn State Class Gift is now open for Penn State seniors to cast their ballots. A University tradition born in 1861, choosing a class gift gives students the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy and help shape the University experience for future Penn Staters. Voting for the 2020 class gift starts today, Thursday, Sept. 26, and runs through midnight on Monday, Sep. 30.
Seniors can vote by texting ClassGift2020 to 71777 or by casting their vote online. Students graduating in May, August or December of 2020 are eligible to vote.
The four nominations on the ballot are:
“Complete Penn State” Scholarship
The Class Gift Campaign aims to improve the Penn State experience — and there is no better legacy for a senior class than ensuring that generations of future Penn Staters have the support they need to earn a degree. “Complete Penn State,” an Open Doors program, exists to help students who are within 30 credits of graduation, to stay on track — or in some cases return to school — in order to walk the stage on graduation day. This scholarship will help students reach the goal we all share of becoming Penn State alumni. If the endowment minimum is not met, funds raised will be directed to the Trustee Emergency Fund, which awards funds to students experiencing hardship.
We Are Penn State: Choose Your Legacy
Connect with something meaningful to you by making a gift to any Penn State fund. Whether it’s to your department, college, student organization, student service, or other program, give to what matters to you. Our legacy will be the impact of the dollars we raise and the diversity of funds we support — collective generosity that will speak to the passion and dedication of the Class of 2020.
Support for the Proposed University Art Museum in the Arboretum
The proposed University Art Museum, located in The Arboretum at Penn State, will create a cultural resource unlike any other in our region, connecting art, nature and science, and enhancing the University’s capacity to offer educational and enrichment opportunities for students and visitors alike. The Class of 2020 has the unique opportunity to be a part of this project by contributing to its construction.
An Endowment for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
As students, we understand how hard this chapter of life can be — and we all understand how powerful it can be to hear someone say, “I’m here to help.” Penn State’s Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides a vital service every day by helping students manage a range of personal and mental health challenges. By establishing an endowment to support CAPS, the Class of 2020’s legacy can be the message that no Penn Stater is ever alone. If the endowment minimum is not met, funds raised will be added to the Mental Health Emergency Fund.
2020 class gift to be announced Oct. 1 at the HUB
The Class Gift Committee will reveal the gift selected by the class of 2020 on Tuesday, Oct. 1, as part of Penn State Homecoming’s “Past to Present” event. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the HUB, and the gift announcement will be made at noon at the Monumental Staircase.
The students of the 2020 Class Gift Committee are: Wil Dunn, director; Taylor Randolph, student outreach; Rachel Bruning and Sophie Haiman, marketing; William Dreese, events; and Zack Durnack, fundraising.
Follow class gift information on Facebook or @PSUClassGift on Twitter and Instagram. Questions can be directed to Wil Dunn at director@psuclassgift.org or Brie Burdge, class gift adviser, at bwb67@psu.edu or 814-863-2052.