Weiss Gift For Student Aid Boosts Couple’s Penn State Giving To $10 Million
September 7, 2000
University Park, Pa. – William L. and Josephine Berry Weiss, Penn State alumni and longtime supporters of the University, recently pledged $3 million for student aid in the Colleges of Engineering and the Liberal Arts. Their pledge brings the total of the Weisses’ commitments to the University to $10 million.

William Weiss, chairman emeritus of Chicago-based Ameritech, an information and communication management company, is a 1951 graduate in industrial engineering and has served on Penn State’s Board of Trustees since 1994. He also served as vice chair of leadership gifts for Penn State’s Grand Destiny campaign, which aims to raise

$1 billion in private support during the seven-year period ending June 30, 2003. Jo Weiss is a 1950 graduate with a degree in the liberal arts.

"In 1997, we became involved in a program to support a significant number of students–both undergraduate and graduate–in each of our academic colleges," said Bill Weiss. "We have watched with great satisfaction their personal and scholastic development and have felt very rewarded by their appreciation and respect for the support they receive. Through our giving and volunteer roles, we have seen firsthand the impact private support is having on Penn State."

The Weisses directed their gift to two programs they had previously established: the Breakthrough Scholarship program and the William L. and Josephine Berry Weiss Graduate Scholars Program. In the 2000-01 academic year, 24 students will receive Breakthrough Scholarships and 14 graduate students, including six who are working on their dissertations, will be named Weiss Scholars. Over the period of the gift, 82 graduate and 94 dissertation scholarships will be awarded, and approximately 75 undergraduate students will receive four-year Breakthrough Scholarship awards.

"Bill and I meet with our students in small groups at least annually and correspond with them on an individual basis throughout the year. They have become part of our extended family," Jo Weiss commented. "Just as Bill and I came from different academic backgrounds, so do they. Our graduate program also aims to bring the students together in seminars throughout the year, so they may learn from each other."

The Breakthrough Scholarships provide financial support to first-year students studying liberal arts or engineering, who show promise of academic success and leadership potential and who have financial need. They may be renewed for a total of eight semesters. The Weiss Graduate Scholarships also provide support to students in liberal arts and engineering.

"Bill and Jo’s generosity and vision help Penn State provide our students with exceptional learning opportunities in higher education," said University President Graham Spanier. "This includes offering scholarships that allow us to recruit and retain outstanding students in liberal arts and engineering, and the vision of seeing how scholars in both fields can work together on research that forms an academic bridge."

Originally from Big Run, after graduating from Penn State Bill Weiss went on to work for the Bell Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania, rising through the company’s management ranks to become a vice president in 1973. In 1976 he became operating vice president of Wisconsin Telephone and went on to hold several executive positions until becoming chairman and CEO of Ameritech, from which he retired in 1994. Weiss has served on several corporate boards and has been recognized for his involvement and leadership in civic affairs.

Jo Weiss has been active in many civic and educational groups including serving as a member of the board of directors of the Chicago Child Care Society, the Women’s Board of Northwestern University, the Adler Planetarium Astronomy Museum board, and the President’s Council of the Museum of Science and Industry.

The Weisses reside in Chicago.

Their previous support to the University includes establishing faculty fellowships in engineering and the liberal arts, support for University Libraries, the Josephine Berry Weiss Chair in the Humanities and scholarships for financially needy students.

Contact: Anne Danahy (814) 863-4512 or e-mail at