SUZANNE PATERNO NAMED
RENAISSANCE WOMAN OF THE YEAR

9-9-96
University Park, Pa. -- Suzanne P. Paterno, an active local volunteer for such causes as the Pennsylvania Special Olympics, United Way, and the University Libraries, will be honored as the Renaissance Woman of the Year at the 20th annual Renaissance Scholarship Fund dinner. The event will be held Nov. 13 at the Nittany Lion Inn on the University Park Campus, beginning with a 6 p.m. reception and continuing with a 7 p.m. dinner.

The dinner, held each year since 1977, raises funds for Penn State's Renaissance Scholarships, which are awarded to academically talented students who have financial need. Each dinner honors a University or community leader and funds are used to endow scholarships in the honoree's name.

Mrs. Paterno's philosophy, "if you've been given a talent or ability, then you must help as many people as you can as you go through life," has led her to help many Penn State students better their lives through education. Not only does she tutor students in English, she also helped establish in 1990 the Summer Institute for Academic Achievement -- a program that offers minorities additional preparation for college-level work and familiarizes them with the University.

As a board member with the Pennsylvania Special Olympics since 1991, she has co-chaired the opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer Games for several years and chaired the outreach, VIP and fund-raising committees.

In 1995, the Penn State Alumni Association honored her with the Lion's Paw Award, which is given annually to individuals who have contributed notable service to the University. Her contributions include helping to establish the College of the Liberal Arts Alumni Society, which she has served as a board member and as its president, serving on the Alumni Council, and working with the National Development Council, the University's top fund-raising advisory board.

Mrs. Paterno has also chaired the University Libraries Development Advisory Board and co-chaired with her husband, Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, the campaign that raised $14 million for an expansion to Pattee Library. The Penn State Board of Trustees voted to name the expansion the Paterno Library in honor of the couple's efforts.

In 1994, Mrs. Paterno was honorary chair of the local United Way campaign and she co-chaired its "Day of Caring" in 1995 and 1996.

She is a 1962 graduate of Penn State with a bachelor's degree in arts and letters. The Paternos have five children.

Since the Renaissance Fund's inception in 1969, nearly $3 million in private contributions has been raised to help make higher education possible for 1,235 students. During the 1995-96 school year, 263 scholarships were awarded.

For more information on the Renaissance dinner, contact Barbara Sarra in the University's Office of Annual Giving at (814) 863-2052.

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Contact:
Gary W. Cramer (814) 863-4512, gwc104@psu.edu