The Faculty and Staff Campaign—Why We Give
Why We Give
Penn State faculty and staff members share their personal reasons for giving back to the University.
Rich and Janice Pearce, Renaissance Fund Scholarship Donors
“When you’re here on campus everyday, you have a unique perspective on the issues and challenges facing students,” says Janice Pearce, the financial officer for University Outreach. “Our decision (to establish scholarships) was impacted by seeing first-hand the struggles of our students to pay for their education.”
Creating Renaissance scholarships has allowed the Pearces to help students in need. “When Janice’s father passed away in December 1997, we worked with Janice’s mom to establish and fund a Renaissance Scholarship in his memory,” says Rich. “It was a way to honor George and have a positive impact on students at Penn State.”
Now the Pearces have established a new fund to celebrate their own relationship with the University. “We have created the Richard H. and Janice L. Pearce Renaissance Scholarship as a way to permanently link our names with the institution that we care about so deeply,” says Janice. “We can also reach even more talented students with financial need through this second scholarship.”
Endowing a scholarship is a significant financial commitment, and the Pearces have taken advantage of the University’s payroll deduction plan to fulfill their pledge. “We appreciate the flexibility and convenience,” says Rich. “We couldn’t fund the endowment right away, but the payroll deduction plan makes it easy to pay over time.”
Rich and Janice hope that other Penn State staff and faculty will join them in supporting students. “We recognize that people have many choices about where to donate money, but gifts from University employees demonstrate that those closest to Penn State believe in its mission,” says Rich. “By supporting the Renaissance Fund, we’re supporting the same goals that all of us, as faculty and staff, work to fulfill each day.”
Rich is senior director for administrative and financial services for Penn State Auxiliary and Business Services.
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Kathleen and Douglas Eggli, Penn State College of Medicine, Radiology
"My husband Doug and I give to the endowed G. Victor Rohrer professorship in radiology education because it provides support in perpetuity for something that we care passionately about--the educational mission in academic radiology. By training young radiologists to give the best care to our patients, young and old, we can 'touch the future.' Leaving the world better off than we found it is a goal we can all aspire to in one way or another--giving to Penn State can make this a reality."
--Kathleen Dunne Eggli, professor of radiology and pediatrics and chair of the the Department of Radiology at Penn State College of Medicine, the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Her husband, Douglas F. Eggli, is professor of radiology in the same department.
It's your turn-Download the Faculty and Staff Campaign Contribution Form (PDF)
Guy Barbato, College of Agricultural Sciences
"I suppose it comes from a combination of a longstanding family tradition of tithing combined with my commitment to the academy,"
says Guy Barbato, associate professor of poultry science in the College of Agricultural Sciences, at University Park. "Back in grad school, we used to talk about (what John Cairns now refers to as) the 'noosphere'--a stage of human development when humans can transform the biosphere into a 'sphere of reason.' Where else can we develop this realm of the mind, other than in a university? This is the best and, perhaps, only place to nurture the social uses of knowledge. If those of us who have committed our lives to this pursuit don't provide financial support, I don't think we can, with good conscience, argue that the legislatures should do it for us."
--Guy Barbato, associate professor of poultry science in the College of Agricultural Sciences, at University Park.
It's your turn-Download the Faculty and Staff Campaign Contribution Form (PDF)
Lynn Tressler, Smeal College of Business
"I give to the Steve A. Garban Grant-in-Aid because it provides financial assistance for room and board to first-year students of technical service and staff employees," says Lynn Tressler, assistant to the senior associate dean in the Smeal College of Business. "This fund is near and dear to me, as a former member of Steve Garban's staff. I feel it is important for students to be able to experience campus living in order to reach their full potential. The University has also played an instrumental role in my professional and educational pursuits and I am more than happy to be able to give back in some small way."
It's your turn-Download the Faculty and Staff Campaign Contribution Form (PDF)
Ike and Lisa Shibley, Penn State Berks
"As a couple we decided three years ago to start two endowed awards at Penn State Berks: one for a student who has contributed to science through teaching, research and service, and one for a student who has committed to becoming a superior leader. We believe that the more engaged a student becomes with his or her education, the more good the student will derive from the college experience. And the more good the student derives the more likely that the student will make significant contributions to society. Philanthropy is a way of life for us. We identify with Aristotle's notions of wealth: 'Wealth is evidently not the good we are seeking; for it is merely useful for the sake of something else.' For us that 'something else' is supporting education."
-- Ike and Lisa Shibley, Penn State Berks, where Ike is associate professor of chemistry and Science Degree Coordinator, and Lisa is a marketing research associate.
It's your turn-Download the Faculty and Staff Campaign Contribution Form (PDF)