UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Holmes Murphy Fraternal Practice and CRC Insurance Inc. have made a $50,000 gift to support fraternity and sorority research through Penn State’s Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform. This contribution, which was matched by the University, will help propel research aimed at creating safer chapters and successful fraternity and sorority communities.
Holmes Murphy Fraternal Practice (HMFP) and CRC Insurance provide support and insurance coverage for organizations and host institutions across the country. According to Rich Jungman, vice president for HMFP, this experience working closely with these clients has driven them to support safer spaces, a key focus of the Piazza Center.
“I believe the work the Piazza Center is doing can have a big impact on the behavior of undergraduates,” said Jungman. “The Holmes Murphy and CRC commitment will play a role in creating safer spaces and saving lives.”
The Piazza Center is a national multidisciplinary research center that develops research to inform policy and practice through scientific approaches to prevent hazing and alcohol and substance misuse. It promotes and improves student learning to enhance leadership skills. The center’s research, tools and best practices assist professionals and volunteers with increasing student safety, creating transformative experiences and fostering sustainable chapters that positively impact the campus.
“We share in HMFP and CRC’s commitment to safe and successful chapters and communities that are trusted by parents and valued by campus communities,” said Stevan Veldkamp, executive director of the Piazza Center. “Together we will find research informed solutions that center students and lead to harm reduction.”
Penn State hopes to generate an endowment of $8 million to support the center's research. The University has committed $2 million in initial funding and will match up to $3 million in additional endowment funds committed for this purpose. Through this opportunity, organizations, alumni, parents and friends can leverage their gifts to secure matching funds that double the impact of their generosity. To learn more about supporting the center, visit the Piazza Center website.
With the record-breaking success of “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” which raised $2.2 billion from 2016 to 2022, philanthropy is helping to sustain the University’s tradition of education, research and service to communities across the commonwealth and around the globe. Scholarships enable the University institution to open doors and welcome students from every background. Support for transformative experiences allows students and faculty to fulfill their vast potential for leadership, and gifts toward discovery and excellence help the University serve and impact the world. To learn more about the impact of giving and the continuing need for support, please visit the Raise Penn State website.