Yetta Elinoff, left, is ready to hug her daughter Lois Elinoff Rubin, who accepted the award on behalf of the family.
SAMUEL HYMAN ESTABLISHED
SCHOLARSHIP AT CAMPUS IN 1979
Foundation has supported Honors program,
Blissell Library, Student Funds, Faculty Speaker Series
The Hyman Family Foundation was named the third recipient of Penn State New Kensington's "Corporate/Foundation Partner of the Year" award Sept. 30, at the Chancellor's Gala at Hill Crest Country Club.
Kevin Snider, chancellor of the campus, presented the award to the Hyman family for its support of the University and the campus during the past three decades. The inscription on the plaque denotes the family's "leadership, support, and assistance in the advancement, growth, and development of Penn State New Kensington and the surrounding communities." Lois Rubin, an officer of the foundation and associate professor of English at the campus, accepted the award on behalf of the foundation.
The Hyman Family Foundation was founded in 1957 by Pittsburgh businessman Samuel Hyman, who was committed to organizations in the fields of higher education, health services, and human services. In the 1920s and early ‘30s, Mr. Hyman lived in the city of New Kensington where he owned movie theatres and founded West Penn Mirror and Glass. After moving to Pittsburgh, he founded and became president of West Penn Realty Company.
Throughout his life, Hyman was passionate about higher education and remained committed to helping New Kensington residents achieve their educational goals. In 1976, he established an annual $5,000 scholarship at Penn State New Kensington that benefitted 10 students each year.
Upon his death in 1977, his daughter Yetta Hyman Elinoff became the trustee of the foundation and continued his ongoing support of the campus. In 1988, she and her husband, Saul Elinoff, endowed the scholarship in honor of her mother, Minnie Hyman, who shared her husband’s education vision for the community.
“Lack of money prevented my grandmother Minnie from finishing her own schooling,” Professor Rubin said. “But she always valued education and would be pleased that funds in her name are being used to help others achieve their goals.”
The Elinoffs continue as trustees of the foundation, which is managed by their daughters Sarah Elinoff Acker and Rubin.
The Hyman endowment provides approximately $4,500 each year for campus students. Eligible students are chosen on the basis of academic promise, leadership qualities, community service and financial need. Since its inception, the endowment has funded scholarships for more than 175 students.
In addition, the foundation has supported the Honors Program, Blissell Library and two campus funds -- Student Loan Fund and Insight Forum Faculty Speaker Series. The student fund is designed to provide assistance to undergraduates for emergencies and books required for their courses. The faculty speaker series fund helps the campus bring in guest speakers who discuss topics that are of interest to the campus and local community.
Penn State New Kensington is part of a University-wide effort to raise private donations to strengthen support for students, faculty and programs. All gifts enhance Penn State’s historic mission of teaching, research and service to society.
Snider established the corporate/foundation partner award in 2009. Alcoa was the first recipient. Leed’s was honored a year ago.
Yetta and Saul Elinoff (center) with their scholarship recipients, circa, 1980s.