McCourtney Showcase shines light on impact made by longtime philanthropists

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Alana Lewis could not have known the pivotal role longtime philanthropists Tracy and Ted McCourtney would play in her pursuit of a Penn State degree, nor that she would have the opportunity to thank them in person. The University’s Liberal Arts Emergency Scholarship Fund — bolstered by a gift from the McCourtneys — allowed the undergraduate psychology-neuroscience major the opportunity to continue her studies, as it has for 249 other liberal arts students since it was established in April 2020.

The fund assists liberal arts undergraduate, graduate and World Campus students from the College of the Liberal Arts whose circumstances demonstrate a need for temporary financial assistance and has provided $420,000 in support since its inception.  

“This scholarship has given me the ability to pursue my education at Penn State and has inspired me to work twice as hard to ensure that my grades and the work I put into my schooling is of nothing but the best quality. This is only possible because of Mr. and Mrs. McCourtney,” said Lewis. “After meeting the McCourtneys, it is abundantly clear how important the education of Penn State students is to them. They are easily two of the most kind and genuine individuals I have met during my time in State College, and I am grateful to them, the College of the Liberal Arts, and Scholarship Award Coordinator Staci Kelly for this opportunity.” 

Support from the McCourtneys provides funding for the College of the Liberal Arts Future Fund that allows Clarence Lang, Susan Welch Dean of the College of the Liberal Arts, the latitude to distribute the monies at his discretion in the manner deemed to be most beneficial to the college.  

The emergency fund was recently featured in the McCourtney Showcase 2023, a reception to honor the McCourtneys and exhibit some of the many ways the college has benefited from their generosity.  

At the showcase event, Lewis, along with Alana Nesmith, a third-year student double majoring in political science and communication arts and sciences, joined Kelly, and Director of Academic Advising Greg Nolan, to present, “The Power of Peer Advising and Emergency Scholarship Outcomes.” Nesmith, herself a peer adviser, spoke about she and other Liberal Arts students who — thanks to the philanthropic support of the McCourtneys — are trained by Academic Advising to guide newcomers in adapting to college life, discovering avenues for social and academic involvement and developing ways to connect to the college and their peers.  

“Tracy and Ted’s belief in the value of a liberal arts education is deeply inspiring. Their commitment to the college allows us to enhance our programs, support our faculty and create meaningful opportunities for our students,” said Lang. “Their generosity fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and a deep appreciation for both the social sciences and the humanities, and it allows us to continue encouraging an environment where our faculty and students can explore and engage with the diverse perspectives and ideas that define the liberal arts.” 

Ted McCourtney shared, “Investing in the liberal arts is contributing to the future of our society. A liberal arts education produces well-rounded individuals with a broader understanding of the world and a sense of social responsibility. Being here and seeing these professors and students working toward a better tomorrow lets us know that we’ve invested wisely.”   

Additional McCourtney Showcase 2023 presentations featured at the event included: 

Religious Studies connections at Penn State

An overview of the college’s Religious Studies program was presented by Daniel Falk, Chaiken Family Chair in Jewish Studies and professor of classics and ancient Mediterranean studies, and classics and ancient Mediterranean studies major Kristen Kitch. 

The Religious Studies program equips students to become global citizens by fostering their understanding, appreciation and active engagement with diverse religious traditions across various cultural settings and historical periods. Through funding, the program has enabled students to establish a range of new initiatives, including regular study sessions, film screenings, a book club, new graduate coffee hour and the introduction of an annual award recognizing student excellence.  

PACT makes an impact: Dean Lang PACT Community Grants  

Another presentation at the event, “PACT Makes an Impact: Dean Lang PACT Community Grants,” an illustration of the Parents and Children Together (PACT) initiative and the community grant established in 2021 with support from Lang via the Liberal Arts Future Fund, was offered by McCourtney Family Early Career Professor Dawn Witherspoon, and psychology doctoral candidate Briah Glover. 

"Through reviewing applications and assisting with final reports, I have been privy to how the Dean Lang PACT Community Grant helps community organizations fulfill their plans to serve their community,” said Glover. “People who participate in the funded activities feel safe in an environment run by familiar faces and consistently report feeling better equipped to care for themselves and their loved ones. It is a testament to how financial support can help the community help itself.” 

Established in 2007, PACT increases the cultural sensitivity and impact of research while helping to improve the lives of children, youth and families in the Harrisburg region. The program employs community-based research to enhance the health and well-being of children, adolescents and families from diverse backgrounds. The Dean Lang PACT Community Grant provides support for organizations identified through the program’s Community Advisory Board. Grant recipients have included such organizations as Black Girls Health Inc.; Latino Connection; Grandparents Involved from the Start (GIFTS); Martin Luther King Jr. Church; and Holistic Hands Community Center.  

Witherspoon added, "PACT is elated that we have been able to impact the greater Harrisburg community through the Dean Lang PACT Community Grant. This grant helps our PACT community members and organizations continue and expand their missions in meaningful ways. The grant has also provided additional opportunities for PACT investigators to work with community partners to fulfill community-identified needs. We hope this outreach and these partnerships flourish." 

REACH – Rural Environments and Child Health Study 

Professor of Psychology Rina Eiden and Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies Jenae Neiderhiser presented “REACH – Rural Environments and Child Health Study” alongside psychology doctoral candidate Rachel Marcus. This community-wide initiative is working to establish a collaborative network with Penn State scholars and health care practices serving rural communities. The goal of the program is to facilitate the creation of a large group of families enrolled while in pregnancy, particularly for families living in rural communities. Families are followed from a child’s birth to school age and beyond, with a focus on family processes in early childhood that predict developmental outcomes.  

Research and programming in Native American history  

Christina Snyder, McCabe Greer Professor of History, and early childhood and elementary education major Eliza Austin introduced, “Research and Programming in Native American History,” a project focusing on raising awareness of Native American history. The program creates spaces for shared learning on diverse topics, provides students with an opportunity to engage in scholarly research and enhances the national visibility of Penn State in Native American and Indigenous Studies.  

Funding from the McCourtneys via the College of the Liberal Arts Future Fund has also allowed for: 

• The purchase of a high-speed core processor supercomputer for the Filippelli Institute for e-Education and Outreach, used to create virtual reality and animation to enhance online learning.
• Support to writer, filmmaker and Marian Trygve Freed Early Career Professor of French and Francophone Studies Fabienne Kanor, to explore the legacy of slavery in French Caribbean and African societies. Kanor has been granted time to establish robust and productive research and creative projects such as the film series “Tales from the Hold.”  
• Creation of collaborative spaces in Sparks Building.
• Redesign of the college’s website, along with high-quality photos and videos to enhance the reputation of the liberal arts at Penn State.

A Penn State College of the Liberal Arts alumna, Tracy McCourtney said that supporting her alma mater is something she and Ted value.

“My liberal arts degree provided me with an invaluable foundation that shaped not only my career but also my overall perspective on life,” said Tracy. “It instilled in me a strong sense of empathy and altruism, and it’s an honor for us to be able to give back to the place that has given so much to me.”  

Tracy earned her degree in English in 1965; Ted is a graduate of Notre Dame University and Harvard University. Named Penn State’s Philanthropists of the Year in 2013, the couple have been Penn State benefactors for more than 30 years. Their prior gifts include undergraduate scholarships; fellowships and scholarships for graduate students; additional faculty professorships; lead gifts that led to the creation of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy, as well as a graduate endowment in honor of former Dean Susan Welch; support for the Moore Building renovation and expansion; and a fund for the Career Enrichment Network to help students secure their first job or succeed in professional or advanced studies after graduation. 

Donors like Tracy and Ted McCourtney advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients, and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.