UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa — During Penn State’s ninth annual GivingTuesday celebration on Nov. 28, donors supporting Student Affairs stepped up and gave $21,083 to support student programs, services, initiatives and organizations.
All gifts will continue to aid student success and wellbeing at University Park and across the commonwealth. The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, Collegiate Recovery Community, Gender Equity Center, Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Piazza Center and Student Care and Advocacy participated in GivingTuesday.
Jaime Desmond, a 1998 graduate of the College of the Liberal Arts, encouraged other alumni to join in supporting Student Affairs priorities with 1:1 matches for gifts to each area, up to a total of $200 per priority.
“We send our heartfelt gratitude to all the generous donors who supported Penn State Student Affairs during Giving Tuesday,” said Andrea Dowhower, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs. “These invaluable contributions directly impact the lives of our students, fostering an enriching and supportive environment that enhances their academic journey and personal growth.”
Adult Learner Programs and Services
The Adult Learner Programs and Services (ALPS) raised $2,021 with 34 donors. The money raised will support the Adult Learners Opportunity Fund, which awards a grant to an outstanding adult student at Penn State University Park.
Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD) raised $1,355 with 20 donors. The money raised will continue providing students with various opportunities and activities through mentorship programs, LGBTQ+ discussion groups and awards and scholarships.
Collegiate Recovery Community
The Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) raised $10,835 with 47 donors. The money raised will continue to provide various activities, opportunities and awards and scholarships to help students in recovery find success at Penn State. The CRC supports students in recovery from alcohol and other substance use disorders by providing ongoing support for significant lifestyle changes, a commitment to help students in recovery find success at Penn State and a community that reinforces healthy and sustainable habits.
The Gender Equity Center
The Gender Equity Center raised $1,330 with 16 donors. The money raised will help expand and enhance new programs and services, such as their Prevention Education Team and the Flip the Script with EAAAA (the Enhanced Assess Acknowledged Act) program. Gifts will allow the center to continue supporting the University’s Commonwealth Campuses through violence-prevention programming and education while illuminating current programming.
Paul Robeson Cultural Center
The Paul Robeson Cultural Center (PRCC) raised $852 with 11 donors. The money raised will help expand its services and continue traditions by creating new full-time staff positions to better support affinity groups and signature events and programs such as the BLUEprint Peer Mentoring Program and the Pride In Our Community Pep Rallies to continue building community.
“Gratitude fills our hearts as we extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who generously gave on Giving Tuesday to the Paul Robeson Cultural Center,” says Evan Williams, the center’s director. “Your support is instrumental in empowering and uplifting our BLUEprint Mentoring Program, designed to guide and nurture first-year students of color during their journey on this campus. Together, we are creating a stronger, more inclusive community that celebrates diversity and fosters success. Thank you for being a catalyst of positive change!”
Piazza Center
The Piazza Center, also known as the Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform, raised $820 with six donors and matching support from both Desmond and the University. The money raised will help drive research to create stronger student leaders, safer chapters, and successful fraternity and sorority communities. The center produces best practices to increase student wellbeing, prevent hazing and alcohol misuse and improve experiential learning in fraternity and sorority communities nationwide.
Student Care and Advocacy
Student Care and Advocacy raised $5,200 with 43 donors. In addition, they received $50 for every gift of $50 or more, matching up to 55 gifts, through the Bruce Marshall and Adam Henderson (’85) Student Emergency Fund Challenge. The money raised will support the Student Emergency Fund, which assists students in financial need across the commonwealth. This fund helps students in need feel more secure, enable them to cover the costs of their basic, daily needs and improve their ability to focus on learning and connecting.
All gifts generated from GivingTuesday will provide meaningful support toward student success as Student Affairs looks to the new year ahead. Gifts made on GivingTuesday are advancing 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.