Philanthropists with roots in the Reading region have stepped forward with gifts that will establish a total of $2.4 million in endowed support for the Berks LaunchBox powered by Penn State. The LaunchBox delivers a range of entrepreneurship and economic development resources for the Reading community.
"A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence" concluded on June 30, raising more than $2.2 billion for the three key imperatives of a modern land-grant institution: opening the doors of higher education to students from every background; creating transformative experiences for both students and citizens; and impacting the larger world through research, outreach and service. While the nearly $844.5 million raised for the last imperative advanced a wide range of priorities across the University, the campaign focused attention on three opportunities for impact: economic development, resource security, and human health.
"A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence" concluded on June 30, raising more than $2.2 billion for the three key imperatives of a modern land-grant institution: opening the doors of higher education to students from every background; creating transformative experiences for both students and citizens; and impacting the larger world through research, outreach and service. While the nearly $844.5 million raised for the last imperative advanced a wide range of priorities across the University, the campaign focused attention on three opportunities for impact: economic development, resource security, and human health.
Two new endowments totaling $4 million will increase economic development in western Pennsylvania through a partnership between Penn State and the Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern OH, with support of the Sharon community. Expanding the region’s innovation, entrepreneurial and business support offerings, the endowments will establish a Penn State LaunchBox and a fund to support business owners in Sharon.
A new $2.13 million endowment will expand Penn State Behrend’s Innovation Commons, a product design and prototyping lab and the first site for the Northwest Pennsylvania Innovation Beehive Network, a partnership of institutions in the Erie region.