Ted And Barbara Junker Give Behrend $2 Million Gift

4-20-97

Erie, Pa.-- Officials at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, announced over the weekend that Edward P. "Ted" Junker III, former vice chairman of PNC Bank Corp., and his wife, Barbara Frederick Junker, have endowed the College's Athletic program with a two million dollar gift.

"We deeply appreciate the generous spirit with which Ted and Barbara have supported Penn State-Behrend over the years," said Dr. John Lilley, provost and dean. "This remarkable gift sets a new standard for the College, and we are truly grateful."

The pacesetting gift, announced in conjunction with Penn State's upcoming capital campaign, will be used to endow Penn State-Behrend's Athletics program.

"We think there's no single engine that drives economic development more than higher education," Junker said in a recent joint interview with his wife. "Athletics is part of a well-rounded campus life, and we chose this opportunity to enhance the program now and for the future."

Mrs. Junker said she and her husband believe athletics help develop character, discipline, and self-esteem. "We feel these characteristics are what make people successful in other endeavors as well," she stated. The Junkers pointed out that athletics benefit not only those who participate directly, but also spectators, who receive tremendous enjoyment from a quality athletic program.

The Junkers, who met as students at Penn State, both participated in athletics at the college level. Mrs. Junker received her degree in and taught physical education, and also coached basketball. She is well known for her commitment to public education, and is currently serving a 16-month appointment on the Fairview school board, a position to which she was elected for 18 years.

The Junkers have a long history of involvement with Penn State. Both are alumni and hold lifetime membership in the Penn State Alumni Association. Members of the Mount Nittany Society, they endowed the Edward P. and Barbara F. Junker Scholarship at Penn State-Behrend in 1987.

Although the Junkers attended Penn State's University Park Campus, as did their three daughters and their three sons-in-law, they are very committed to Penn State-Behrend.

"Barbara and I both believe strongly we have an obligation to give back to the community that's been so good to us," said Junker. "We raised our family and have been very fortunate in our endeavors here."

Mr. Junker is a member of the board and former chairman of the board of the Council of Fellows at Penn State-Behrend. In 1984 he received the Philip Mitchell Alumni Service Award; three years later, he was awarded the prestigious and lifelong designation, alumni fellow, by both Penn State-Behrend and the College of Health and Human Development.

Junker, who is currently serving his second term as vice president of Penn State's Board of Trustees, was first elected to the board in 1986.

Contact: Christy Rambeau 814-865-7517; cmr7@psu.edu