UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Inspired by the work of longtime Penn State College of the Liberal Arts alumni relations and development employee Mary Kay Paterno Hort, an anonymous donor recently presented the college with a lead gift of $25,000 to create an endowment in honor of Hort for her many years of service and leadership in Liberal Arts. Hort departed the college at the end of 2023 to accept the position of director of prospect engagement and operations for principal gifts in the Office of University Development.
The Mary Kay Paterno Hort Service Award in the Paterno Liberal Arts Undergraduate Fellows Program will invite grant applications from undergraduates enrolled in the Paterno Fellows Program in the College of the Liberal Arts who demonstrate a strong commitment to service-related activities. These activities can be completed in conjunction with internships, education abroad or other activities required for participation in the Paterno Fellows Program or can be related to personal service projects that benefit the community at large.
“Mary Kay has always been so aware of what’s important for the college and its alumni and does a wonderful job of carrying on the legacy of her parents, Joe and Sue Paterno,” said the donor. “She has done amazing things for Liberal Arts at Penn State, always taking into consideration what’s best for the college. From my perspective, it wouldn’t be right not to have some sort of recognition of that.”
Introduced in 2008 as a collaboration between the College of the Liberal Arts and the Schreyer Honors College, the Paterno Liberal Arts Undergraduate Fellows Program was established with the aim of invigorating undergraduate education for students and providing valuable opportunities for Schreyer Scholars pursuing liberal arts majors. The program is one of the few pathways at the University for students not initially admitted as honors students to demonstrate their potential and gain entry into the Schreyer Honors College.
The Paterno Fellows program was named for Hort’s parents: the late Joe Paterno, former head coach of Penn State Football, who earned a degree in liberal arts from Brown University; and his wife, Sue Paterno, a 1962 graduate in English from Penn State. This program pays tribute to the couple's dedication to academic pursuit and excellence, as well as their steadfast commitment to the values, leadership and service that are hallmarks of the program. To date, 1,066 students have graduated as Paterno Fellows.
Hort initially joined the College of the Liberal Arts in the late 1990s, working her way from development assistant to assistant director of development before making the decision to stay at home to raise her three children. When her youngest began kindergarten in 2005, she accepted the opportunity to return to the college part time, again in alumni relations and development. From there, she took a position in stewardship which eventually progressed to the role of director of advancement operations.
“Growing up, I regularly observed my parents’ love of Penn State. During my time working at the University, I’ve come to see Penn State for its ability to improve our world in so many ways,” said Hort. “I remember my dad — no matter the situation — would say, ‘At the end of the day, what’s best for Penn State?’ That mindset was instilled in me, and this work is an opportunity to do my small part in making Penn State a better place. That’s what philanthropy does; it has the ability to change lives.”
The donor said, “These students are the best of the best, and following the Paternos’ example, we should find a way to support them in their academic endeavors and future successes. I was a first-generation student and paid for the majority of my education. I understand the impact a program like this can have on the trajectory of a student’s life. While studying at Penn State, I was fortunate to realize my goal to study abroad, but many students cannot. Whether it’s an internship, study abroad program or research, these students are hardworking high achievers who deserve the chance to pursue their dreams.”
Clarence Lang, Susan Welch Dean of the College of the Liberal Arts, said, “Mary Kay has been an amazing colleague in the advancement work of our college, and I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to thank her for her support of Liberal Arts and our students. Her gift of fostering connections with our alumni and donors has enriched the college and made many transformative contributions like this possible. This generous gift will serve students of today and continue to leave a lasting legacy.”
Hort said she’s humbled by this recognition and incredibly grateful to the donor. Above all, she is thrilled the endowment will help to distinguish “some really special and deserving students.”
“Unfortunately, not all students have the resources to engage in the sorts of courses and activities required for entrance into an honors program,” she said. “Paterno Fellows affords those students the same opportunities as their peers. My parents encouraged us to discover a sense of personal excellence — always learn, continually grow. I’m proud to be associated with a program that gives these students a chance to pursue that journey for themselves.”
Additional donors are invited to support the Mary Kay Paterno Hort Service Award in the Paterno Liberal Arts Undergraduate Fellows Program, and these gifts will 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.