PLUM NATIVE ESTABLISHES
"SHAFFER FAMILY TRUSTEE MATCHING SCHOLARSHIP"
Former Penn State New Kensington student Suzette Schultz recently pledged $50,000 to create the Shaffer Family Trustee Matching Scholarship at the campus.
Schultz’s gift establishes the 11th trustee matching scholarship at the campus. Through the matching scholarship program, developed in 2002 by the Penn State Board of Trustees, donors become partners with the University in supporting students. The annual spendable income on an endowed scholarship, which averages 5 percent, is matched by the University and allows donors to make the most of their philanthropic dollars.
“Penn State set me on the path to a rewarding career, allowing me the ability to give back to the community,” Schultz said. “Creating a scholarship ensures continued financial support to students for many years to come. In a small way, I hope to help other students attain their dream of getting a college education as a springboard to a rewarding working career.”
Undergraduates and incoming freshmen at the New Kensington campus are eligible for the Shaffer scholarship. As per the donor’s wishes, graduates of Plum High School will be given first preference. Schultz is a native of Plum and a graduate of the high school.
"Suzette’s gift is a huge benefit to campus students, and we are grateful for her generosity," said Donna Speer, director of development. "The scholarship will help many students who otherwise might not have the chance to go to Penn State and achieve their dreams and life goals."
During the past academic year, 100 Penn State New Kensington students benefited from the generosity of alumni and friends of the campus. The recipients received a total of $160,000, an average of $1,600 per scholarship.
Schultz has a long history of philanthropic activity at Penn State, with the New Kensington campus and the College of Engineering as the major beneficiaries of her gifts. Her family’s Penn State bloodline runs through the New Kensington and University Park campuses. Schultz attended New Kensington before earning bachelor’s degrees in chemical engineering and chemistry at University Park. Her brother, David Shaffer, took the same route in earning his bachelor’s degree. Her daughter, Katherine Schultz, is a senior at University Park.
“Attending the New Kensington campus was a great way to start my college education--small class sizes, lots of support, and a caring staff,” Schultz said. “In addition, it allowed me the opportunity to live at home and work part time."
A resident of Thornton, Pennsylvania, located 36 miles west of Philadelphia, Schultz is a senior project manager for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. As a part of its employee program, AstraZeneca is matching Schultz’s initial pledge of $25,000.
In addition to commitments to Penn State, Schultz is active in the community. She is the current president of Girls Inc. of Delaware, a nonprofit organization that encourage girls to master physical, intellectual and emotional challenges through research-based initiatives. The programs address many issues such as math and science education and sports participation. She is past president of the Delaware Valley Section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and secretary of the Wilmington section.