Penn State Berks held a celebration April 25 to highlight the early success of the campus' efforts in "A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence," a University-wide campaign to raise $1.6 billion by 2021.
With a transformational joint gift to Penn State Berks, two Penn State alumni couples have launched a comprehensive new scholarship program and raised the bar for private giving to the campus.
Penn State Berks Chancellor R. Keith Hillkirk and his wife, Suzanne, have recently created a new endowment, the Hillkirk Family Program Endowment for Ethics and Sustainability. The name reflects the passion that the Hillkirks have for these two priorities, which are emphasized in the college’s strategic plan.
Rolf D. Schmidt, a German immigrant and Berks County entrepreneur, recently committed $250,000 to establish the Schmidt Family Scholarship Fund, a new endowed scholarship for students with demonstrated financial need who enroll in one of Penn State Berks' baccalaureate degree programs upon graduation from Reading Area Community College.
