LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. — The W. Charles and Martha Patrick Excellence Fund at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, initially established as a program endowment with a $25,000 commitment from the Patricks, can now be converted to a scholarship endowment through more than $25,000 in additional gifts from anonymous individuals, alumni and friends. Charles Patrick will retire on June 28 after serving as chancellor and chief academic officer of Penn State Fayette for the past 10 years.
Director of Campus Development Lori Omatick, who led the effort to grow the endowment, announced both the creation of the Patrick Excellence Fund and the additional support raised at the Seventh Annual Benefit Fayette Student Aid Fundraiser, surprising Charles and Martha Patrick and others in attendance.
“I’m pleased to announce a $25,000 commitment to create the W. Charles and Martha Patrick Excellence Fund at Penn State Fayette, as a demonstration of how much this community truly means to them,” Omatick said. “But I’m also thrilled to announce that unbeknownst to them, several other campus friends and alumni have made generous contributions to the endowment totaling more than $25,000. This level of giving will enable the endowment to be converted to a scholarship that will support students at Penn State Fayette in your names in perpetuity.”
After a round of applause from the attendees, Patrick took to the podium to respond.
“Ten years ago, Martha and I came into this community. We have great neighbors and people around us, and we found that in the second poorest county in Pennsylvania, the level of generosity to this campus is amazing," he said. "We have been blessed to be part of Penn State Fayette, and what many call the ‘Fayette Family.’ We care so much about each other, and the students understand that as well. Thank you for all you've done.”
Gifts to the W. Charles and Martha Patrick Scholarship Endowment 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.