The Leonhard Gift

William E. and Wyllis Leonhard have been longtime friends of Penn State , particularly of the College of Engineering . As pacesetting donors to the University's Grand Destiny campaign, they pledged $2.5 million in 1996 to establish the Leonhard Honors Program in Engineering. In 1997-98 they committed an additional $3.6 million to add to the multiyear, multimillion dollar commitment they made in the early 1980s for the establishment of the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education. Their philanthropic interests at Penn State also include the Hershey Medical Center and the Musical Theater Program in the College of Arts and Architecture.

The Leonhard's giving to Penn State exceeds $16 million, making them not only the largest donors to the College of Engineering , but also one of Penn State 's most generous philanthropic couples.

" America is in danger of losing its competitive edge because many of our most gifted students are choosing fields other than engineering. The Leonhard Center is designed to create excitement about engineering and to attract talented students to faculty careers."

- Bill Leonhard