For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, 71,423 Penn State alumni made gifts totaling $50.7 million to their university, with Harvard University ranking second, receiving donations from 66,138 of its alumni. The University of Michigan ranked third, with 65,102 alumni donors.

“These figures reflect the generosity of our alumni and the deep pride they have in the University’s accomplishments, as well as their ongoing faith in its direction and future,” said President Graham Spanier. “This good news also is a result of the dedication and hard work by the volunteers and professional staff involved in our Grand Destiny capital campaign.”

Penn State’s Grand Destiny campaign, which began in 1996 and is scheduled to end June 30, 2003, aims to raise $1 billion in private support to strengthen the University’s overall mission of teaching, research and service.

“The enthusiastic support of alumni is crucial to the ultimate success of any capital campaign,” said volunteer Campaign Chair Jim Broadhurst, chairman and CEO of Pittsburgh-based Eat'n Park Hospitality Group Inc. and a 1965 Penn State graduate.  “I see this excitement first hand in my travels around the country, and it’s clear that our alumni believe in our efforts to help make Penn State the best it can be.”

Penn State first emerged at the top position of the CAE report in 1997, with 66,072 Penn State alumni making donations, edging out Harvard University by 78 donors. The 1999-2000 report has Penn State leading Harvard by 5,285 donors.

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