Ostars Endow Administrative Internship In Higher Ed
March 13, 2001
University Park, Pa—Doctoral students in Penn State’s Higher Education Program will have more opportunities to gain on-the-job administrative experience at the University, thanks to an endowment recently created with a $130,000 gift from Penn State alumni Allan and Roberta Ostar.

            Students who receive support from the Ostar Internship Endowment will serve as interns in the University’s central administrative offices, and participate in the functions of these offices as part of their learning experience. The precise terms of the internship will depend on the circumstances of the office and the needs of the intern.

Third- and fourth-year doctoral students will be eligible. The internship will cover expenses associated with tuition, travel, research and other educational activities.

Allan W. Ostar is president emeritus of the American Association of Colleges and State Universities (AACSU), a Washington, D.C.-based organization of about 400 public four-year institutions. He is also an adjunct professor in Penn State’s higher education program. He graduated from Penn State in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and headed the AASCU from 1965 until his retirement in 1991.

            Roberta Hutchison Ostar received her bachelor’s degree in journalism. While at Penn State she was editor of La Vie and news editor of the student newspaper, The Daily Collegian. The Ostars met while working at the The Daily Collegian.

            “Allan and Bobbie Ostar have significantly strengthened our program’s ability to offer the kind of practical administrative experience that is such an important part of the preparation our students receive,” said David Monk, dean of the College of Education. “Combining a program that is nationally recognized for its academic excellence with meaningful experience in high-level administrative offices will result in graduates who are likely to rank among the most successful leaders in American higher education. We are also pleased to name the endowment in recognition of someone who has devoted his career to higher education and made a lasting impact on its development over the last 40 years.”

            Prior to joining the AASCU, Allan Ostar was director of the Office of Institutional Research in Washington, serving the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. He was also a faculty member and administrator at the University of Wisconsin and a member of many national education boards and commissions. Change magazine has named him one of the 44 most influential leaders in higher education.

            In previous philanthropy to Penn State, the Ostars have endowed the Ostar-Hutchison Daily Collegian scholarship, and supported the College of Education and the University Libraries.

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Contact: Mike Bezilla 863-4512 (work) 238-5842 (home) mxb13@psu.edu