HERSHEY, Pa. — This year marks the 60th anniversary of the fabled “$50 million phone call,” which set the wheels in motion for Penn State to build a medical school, teaching hospital and research center in honor of Milton S. Hershey, Pennsylvania chocolatier, businessman and philanthropist.
In recognition of this anniversary, Penn State College of Medicine is reflecting on its 60-year legacy each week through the end of September.
In 1963, Sam Hinkle, president of the Hershey Company and a Penn State alumnus, called up Eric Walker, then-president of the University, to share a grand idea: Put some of Milton S. Hershey’s philanthropic funds toward the creation of a medical center and teaching hospital.
“(Hershey) was primarily concerned with the alleviation of human suffering,” Hinkle said during an early meeting to discuss the building project. “And there’s where the medical school idea came into the picture. … I feel certain that it’s the right thing to do.”
The Milton S. Hershey Foundation agreed, and formally offered $50 million to Penn State to establish what would eventually become Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.