Mount Nittany Society celebrates 77 inductees

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Mount Nittany Society gathered on April 5 to celebrate Penn State’s efforts to build a culture of philanthropy and increase private giving to the University. By crossing the $250,000 threshold in irrevocable commitments in the most recent annual cycle, 77 donor families qualified for membership, marking a significant leap forward in expanding the University’s community of high-level donors.

Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi was on hand at Innovation Park to recognize the generosity of the society’s members and to highlight the far-ranging impact of their giving.

“Thanks to their generosity, the members of the Mount Nittany Society are helping our students reach their highest potential, our faculty lead in their fields and our institution remain a beacon of excellence and service — and they are doing so during an exciting and ambitious chapter in our history,” Bendapudi said. “This year’s number of inductees reflects the deep and growing commitment to the Penn State community.”

Since its founding in 1977, members of the Mount Nittany Society, today numbering more than 1,700, have given nearly $3.3 billion to support every aspect of Penn State’s mission. Collectively, the society’s membership is responsible for the creation of more than 4,000 endowments and funds across the University to benefit Penn State students, faculty and programs. 

In addition to welcoming new members at the $250,000 level, the Mount Nittany Society also honored those donors who have elevated their commitments to the University’s two highest recognition tiers. This year the Laurel Circle, which recognizes those individuals or couples who have given $1 million and above, welcomed 18 new inductees. The Elm Circle, honoring those donors who have given $5 million and above, celebrated 12 new inductees, setting a record for the highest number of annual inductees in the University’s history.

David M. Kleppinger, chair of Penn State's Board of Trustees, echoed President Bendapudi’s message that private giving empowers the University to be nimble in adapting to challenges and seizing new opportunities.

“The Mount Nittany Society’s investments in teaching, research and service have made a critical difference in the lives of individuals who will go on to impact the world in their chosen professions,” Kleppinger said.  “In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, the support of this group of Penn Staters is a constant that fuels our ambitious plans.”

Key moments of the evening included the debut of a video produced by WPSU highlighting the impact of the Chaiken Centers for Student Success. The program was created with support from the largest scholarship donors in Penn State history, Gene and Roz Chaiken, and offers free tutoring and success coaching for Penn State students at University Park, in the Colleges of the Liberal Arts and Information Sciences and Technology, at Penn State Abington and for students across the globe earning an education through World Campus. 

One student voice featured in the video, Michael Garza, also addressed the audience in person from the stage. Garza, a first-generation college student from Houston, Texas, and a fourth-year student studying criminology and sociology, spoke about how a scholarship eased his financial burden enough to enable him to enroll at Penn State, and, once here, how the Chaiken Center for Student Success kept him on track to seize opportunities and leverage his talents.

“Because of philanthropy, I have been able to walk through doors I never imagined existed,” Garza said. “As I prepare for the next chapter of my life, I am inspired to give back, just as members of the Mount Nittany Society have given to me. I am thankful for their investment in Penn State students and for making our dreams a reality.”

The evening culminated in an induction ceremony.

“The generosity of our supporters has been the key to our recent record-breaking successes, including some of the University’s all-time best fundraising years and an outstanding start to our new fundraising campaign,” said Alyssa M. Wilcox, vice president for development and alumni relations. “But the truest measure of the Mount Nittany Society’s impact is in the lives of Penn State students their giving has touched.”

Alumni and friends like the members of the Mount Nittany Society 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.