Robert K. and Jane W. Zimmerman of State College have given $295,000 to Penn State to benefit initiatives in the College of Communications, Pennsylvania Centre Stage and Penn State Athletics.
The Zimmermans have designated $250,000 of their gift to create the Robert K. and Jane W. Zimmerman Radio Broadcast Endowment to enrich the curriculum and facilities for radio broadcasting programs in the College of Communications. The endowment will provide funds for equipment, student scholarships and professionals-in-residence.
The couple also has designated $25,000 to create the Robert K. and Jane W. Zimmerman Endowment for Pennsylvania Centre Stage to benefit its summer professional theatrical productions. The money will be used to keep Centre Stage accessible and affordable while maintaining artistic quality, and to enhance its educational services and outreach.
In an outright gift, the Zimmermans have given a total of $20,000 to benefit the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters' (PAB) Hall of Fame, which will be housed in the College of Communications; the Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic, which benefits the College of Communications Alumni Society Neal J. Friedman Internship Fund; and the Department of Athletics.
Robert Zimmerman, a 1958 graduate with a degree in journalism, is past president of Tele-Media Broadcasting and president of the College of Communications' Alumni Society Board of Directors. He currently serves as a consultant to radio stations nationwide, and was inducted into the PAB Hall of Fame last May.
Jane Zimmerman attended Denison University before serving as health and physical education director of the YWCAs in Johnstown, Pa., and Washington, D.C. She also served for several years as an accountant for WRSC and WQWK radio stations in State College. She continues to be active in the State College Area Family YMCA.
State College residents John C. "Jace" and Dorothy
Briant O'Connor have established an endowed fellowship and an endowed scholarship
that will benefit students in the College of Arts and Architecture's art
education, art history, museum studies and music theatre programs.
The John C. O'Connor Endowed Graduate Fellowship in Art History and Art Museum Studies will provide financial assistance to graduate students studying art history, art education or museum studies. Support will specifically target students working on internships or assistantships within the Palmer Museum of Art. The Dorothy Briant O'Connor Endowed Scholarship Fund in Music Theatre will provide financial assistance to students enrolled in the School of Theatre Arts. The endowments will be funded through a $200,000 charitable gift annuity contributed jointly by the O'Connors.
John O'Connor, a 1938 graduate of Penn State, was a former founder and co-owner of the Tavern Restaurant with Ralph Yeager. They opened the State College culinary landmark in 1948 and jointly operated the business for 32 years before selling it in 1980. O'Connor also has served as past president of the Friends of the Palmer Museum of Art. A significant gift from the O'Connors in 1991 was instrumental in funding the museum's recent expansion.
Dorothy O'Connor, a former professor of physical education and chair of the dance department at Penn State, also was chair of the Division of Physical Education at Boston University's Sargent College.
Alumni Bruce and Jean Edwards are highlighting the importance of the forest products industry in their lives by making a $200,000 gift to support a new School of Forest Resources Building, now in the planning stage.
Bruce Edwards is vice president of the Mallery Lumber Corp. in Hancock, N.Y., and earned his bachelor's degree in forestry science in 1971. Jean Edwards is an occupational therapist with Barnes Kasson Home Health Services in Susquehanna, and earned her bachelor's degree in psychology in 1971. The Edwardses reside in Starrucca, and two of their four children are current Penn State students.
The building project will provide state-of-the-art facilities for the School of Forest Resources, which enrolls approximately 750 students in its forest science, wildlife and fisheries science, and wood products programs at the University Park campus, Penn State Mont Alto and Penn State DuBois. Construction will begin following additional fund-raising.