UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Inspired by more than 40 years of programming on WPSU Penn State, one couple is helping to ensure it will continue to reach the audiences it serves. William Lukens and Cheryl Price made a commitment of $50,000 to create two endowments, the William Lukens and Cheryl Price Endowment for WPSU-TV and the William Lukens and Cheryl Price Endowment for WPSU-FM.
“Cheryl and I have always enjoyed and appreciated the variety of programs available on both radio and television, including children’s programming when our son was growing up,” Lukens said. “Our goal is for both platforms to continue offering a variety of programs from different points of view to attract viewers and listeners from many different backgrounds.”
Lukens retired from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission after 20 years. He often worked nights at the Benner Spring State Fish Hatchery where WPSU-FM was his constant companion. He also served as a substitute teacher and an earth science and biology teacher for State College Area School District (SCASD). Price retired from education after more than 40 years, spent in part as a school counselor for the Delta Program in the SCASD and as director of college counseling at the Grier School in Tyrone. She said she always turned to classical music on WPSU-FM when in her office because it seemed to have a calming effect on her students.
Through the years, the couple also developed a love for programs on WPSU-TV including “Masterpiece Mystery,” “Rick Steves’ Europe,” “NOVA,” “Ask This Old House,” “Great Performances,” “Washington Week,” “Firing Line with Margaret Hoover,” “American Experience,” “Frontline” and “POV.”
“We want to assure that the programming continues in the face of financial challenges affecting funding for nonprofit organizations, especially in the ever-changing political climate in our country,” Price said. “We have watched and listened to WPSU-TV and radio for 40 years and are pleased to have the resources to support the continuation of WPSU since it has meant so much to us over the years.”
Isabel Reinert, executive director and general manager of WPSU Penn State, said building the endowments at WPSU Penn State is critical to long-term financial stability.
“Having this perpetual source of annual support for programming is truly a gift that benefits everyone who tunes in to our TV, radio and online formats,” Reinert said. “We are sincerely grateful to Bill and Cheryl for their generosity and desire to support access to quality programming across central Pennsylvania and beyond.”
To find a complete schedule of programming for WPSU Penn State, visit WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM.
WPSU Penn State is a service of Penn State Outreach.
This gift will advance "A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence," a focused campaign that seeks to elevate Penn State’s position as a leading public university in a world defined by rapid change and global connections. With the support of alumni and friends, “A Greater Penn State” seeks to fulfill the three key imperatives of a 21st-century public university: keeping the doors to higher education open to hard-working students regardless of financial well-being; creating transformative experiences that go beyond the classroom; and impacting the world by serving communities and fueling discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. To learn more about “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” visit greaterpennstate.psu.edu.