Chancellor Kevin Snider presents the campus' 2011 "Corporate/Foundation Partner of the Year" award to Lois Rubin of the Hyman Family Foundation.
PROCEEDS SET GALA RECORD;
FUND ADVISORY BOARD TRUSTEE SCHOLARSHIP
It started as "blue and white" for donors and friends but ended as "green' for students and scholarships.
Penn State New Kensington's Chancellor's Gala, which is a part of the University-wide fundraising effort, "For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students," brought in more than $10,000, a new record for the three-year-old event. The total represented a 25 percent increase from a year ago.
The gala brought together 138 campus supporters--donors, students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends-- for an evening of socializing and networking at Hill Crest Country Club. The theme was "Blue and White Lions Night," and the Penn State spirit permeated the room, as did the sounds of the Student Jazz Ensemble and the enthusiasm of Penn State alumnus and former campus student Joe Battista, who served as master of ceremonies.
Guests were at their philanthropic best, showing their gamesmanship acumen while bidding on auction items; invoking fortuitous superstitions when purchasing raffle tickets; and expecting serendipity to play a role in their mystery box acquisitions.
"It was an exceptional night and our thanks for the support that benefits the campus as well as the community," said Donna Speer, director of development. "We are committed to helping our community grow by breaking the cycle of poverty, and helping our students to advance academically, socially, ethically and culturally."
In addition to fundraising, the Chancellor's Gala serves as a platform for the campus to honor its special donors.
The Hyman Family Foundation was named the third recipient of the "Corporate/Foundation Partner of the Year" award. 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.
Hugh G. McRandal Jr., a former student at Penn State New Kensington, was inducted as the 2011 member of the Arch Recognition Society at the annual Chancellor's Gala. McRandal, a marine forecaster for the Ocean Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, joins the 23 charter members who were honored at the gala a year ago. The donor society's membership is reserved for campus supporters who have contributed a total of $25,000 to the campus.
The proceeds will be added to the Advisory Board's endowed trustee scholarship. Spearheaded by former board president Robin Rarie, the scholarship initiative was established in 2008 as part of the board's leadership gift to the campaign. The scholarship is geared toward upperclassmen who are campus leaders, i.e., Lion Ambassadors, Student Government Association officials and student club officers. The current board, headed by president Al Weber, hosted the gala, which was sponsored by the Burrell Group Inc., McCutcheon Enterprises Inc. and Industrial Automation and Controls Inc.
Penn State New Kensington continues the public phase of the fundraising campaign that helps create educational, cultural, and economic opportunities that campus students and community residents need.
The campaign is a University-wide effort to raise $2 billion by June 2014. New Kensington is responsible for $3 million of the total. During the private phase of the campaign that began in 2007, and during the current public phase that began in 2010, New Kensington has raised $1.8 million, which is 60 percent of its total.
Plans are underway for the 2012 edition of the gala, which is set for Friday, Sept. 28.
For more on the "For the Future" campaign and giving to the campus, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Giving/givetoday.htm
Business professor Rujirutana Mandhachitara, known as "Dr. A" in the classroom,
put in the winning bid for the "Wine Country Basket," donated by Bob Schmidt,
immediate past president of the campus Advisory Board.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
GALA SPONSORS
McCutcheon Enterprises Inc., Calvin McCutcheon 
Industrial Automation & Control, Robert "Doc" Mueller 
Thank You
To the following donors for
making our auction a success:
Leed’s
Barb Arnold
Al and Kim Weber
Valos Candy Co.
Trib Total Media
Development Office
Continuing Education Office
Raymond Gretz and Karen Fassinger
Hill Crest Country Club
Admissions and Business/Finance Offices
Elizabeth S. Blissell Library
Pittsburgh CLO
Fairmont Pittsburgh
Office of Student Affairs
Office of Student Activities
Seven Mountains Wine Cellars
Century 21 American Heritage Realty
Chancellor’s Office
Department of Athletics
True Value Hardware, Sarver
Freilino’s Service
Donna and Terry Speer
Sodini and Co.
Stephen Simpson Gallery
H.J. Heinz Co.
Giant Eagle Inc.
West Interior Services
Starbucks
USA Fitness and Chiropractic
Tom and Pam Wilczek
St. Margaret Mary Church
Chari’s Styling Salon
John Welch
Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theatre
Burrell Rotary
W.L. Roegnick Co.
Villa Balanca
Seita Jewelers
Yute’s Ideal Cleaning
Alle-Kiski Alumni Society
Kevin and Sarah Snider
First National Bank
PNC Bank
Premiere Jewelry – Bonnie Lantz
JG’s Tarentum Station Grille
Pittsburgh Public Theater
Birdsfoot Golf Club
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Highland Tire
Shamey’s Gulf Service
Patrick and Mardelle Kopnicky
Venture Outdoors
The Frick Pittsburgh
Bloom’s Florist
Spa Life-Monroeville
Doc and Linda Mueller
Community Market
Bob and Nancy Schmidt
Mike Bonk
Joe Hughes and Penn State Golf Courses