Gift from Keith and Lisa Hegner creates new scholarship in the College of IST

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Keith and Lisa Hegner’s experiences at Penn State helped to equip them for success in their careers. Recently, they made a gift to help current and future students to enjoy similar opportunities and create their own paths in the field of information technology.

The Keith and Lisa Hegner Scholarship in the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) is an annually funded scholarship of $10,000 per year, which includes a corporate match from Keith’s employer.

“Microsoft is graciously providing a 100% match of the donated funds,” said Keith, who has worked for the corporation for 13 years. “Lisa and I believe that the collegiate experience should be available to anyone who is willing to work for it, and we want to enable that for deserving students of various socioeconomical and cultural backgrounds.”

The scholarship will support full-time undergraduate students who are pursuing a degree program in the College of IST and have demonstrated a financial need for funds to meet their necessary college expenses. First preference shall be given to students who contribute to the diversity of the student body.

“We are incredibly grateful for this gift from Keith and Lisa,” said Andrea Tapia, interim dean of the College of IST. “Their support helps our students to continue to pursue experiences, both in and out of the classroom, that prepare them for success in the Information Age.”

Keith was a member of IST’s first graduating class, earning his bachelor’s degree in information sciences and technology with a minor in management information systems in 2003. In 2006, while working at his first job in technology, he earned his master’s degree in information science at Penn State Great Valley.

As an undergraduate student, Keith held work study positions, served as a teaching assistant for sociology and played a collection of intramural sports, including hockey, racquetball, flag football and softball. He also met Lisa, his “college sweetheart," he said.

Lisa, a John S. and James L. Knight Diversity Scholarship recipient during her time at Penn State, earned a bachelor's degree in journalism with a minor in sociology in 2003. She was active in dance as a member of the Orchesis Dance Company, a Penn State organization, as well as the Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop in State College, where she taught dance to students of all ages. Lisa held multiple work study positions across the University and was a guest writer and photographer for the Daily Collegian newspaper.

Now, married for 13 years and parents of 10-year-old Alden and 8-year-old Marlow, Keith and Lisa said they want to give back to Penn State, specifically to the College of IST.

“IST was a major part of my career journey,” Keith said. “What stands out is how well the program helped me learn cutting-edge technologies and obtain project work, collaborating on teams. I was able to jump into the workforce and make quick impacts.”

Keith said that IST’s connections to employers were a factor in landing his first job through a scholarship and internship from Lockheed Martin. There, he started as a systems engineer on government programs, using web development, database and versatile IT skills to support programs and fellow contractors. He then transitioned to larger-scale IT support and a SharePoint administration and architecture role.

“It was there that I learned the SharePoint platform well enough to be an appealing candidate to Microsoft,” Keith said. “I took a position as a Microsoft Premier field engineer specializing in SharePoint infrastructure and realized that I loved working closely with customers to assist with their needs and to help make them successful.”

Two years ago, he became Microsoft’s director of customer success. In this management role, he leads 12 direct reports and a $250 million portfolio of some of Microsoft’s most strategic customers and partners.

“I get to model, coach and care for my team daily, helping to ensure their success in role, career growth and excellence in orchestration for their customers,” Keith said.

Lisa is the franchise owner and primary operator for the Primrose School of Shady Hollow in Austin, Texas, where the Hegner family resides. In 2021 and 2022, the school won the Austin American Statesman’s Best for Child Care in Austin. Last year, Lisa won Franchise Owner of the Year for her region, which celebrated the top six of 500 schools in the Primrose Schools network.

Both Keith and Lisa are passionate volunteers for the elementary school PTA. Alden, a fifth grader, is a Select Elite and MLSNext candidate soccer player. Marlow, a third grader, also plays soccer and is a studio dancer and performer. The Hegner family enjoys the outdoor activities and fantastic cuisine that Austin offers. They also enjoy watching Penn State sports.

“We are inspired to make this endowment because we believe that Penn State and the College of IST were such key pieces of our success,” Keith said. “We would like to pay it forward to students who will carry on the Penn State and IST traditions.”

Donors like the Hegners 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.