MALVERN, Pa. — Penn State Great Valley’s GivingTuesday campaign was a great success, with 21 donors contributing $2,010 to support Great Valley’s Sustainability Committee. The effort, which took place on Nov. 29, was part of a record-breaking GivingTuesday across the University.
Comprising faculty and staff with a passion for our planet, the committee identifies, recommends and assists in the implementation of initiatives that promote and support a green and sustainable campus. The group’s work is guided by the sustainability efforts of Penn State as a whole, and by the broader sustainability movement in the U.S. and internationally.
Recent programs include guest speakers, the establishment of a campus battery recycling program and a career closet and move-in day event to repurpose professional clothing and household goods for students. The funds raised from GivingTuesday will help establish a working budget for events, workshops and sustainable campus improvements.
Gary Generose, Great Valley development committee chair, and his wife, Laura Generose, provided matching funds for the first $1,000 raised. As a graduate of Great Valley’s MBA and master of leadership development programs, Gary Generose has a deep appreciation for the impact the campus has on students, the local community and the University.
“Having been both a student and a volunteer on campus, I’ve seen the significant impact Great Valley makes first-hand,” Generose said. “That includes talented graduates going out into the work force; it includes leading research from our faculty on key topics affecting the world around us; and it definitely includes our alumni, faculty, staff and friends creating a sense of community and belonging as part of the broad Penn State universe. All of it together adds up to a tremendous experience, and we’re happy to support this campus any chance we get.”
The Generoses’ Penn State connections are deep: Both Gary (a class of 1997 graduate in business) and Laura (a class of 1995 graduate in education) earned their undergraduate degrees from the University and are long-time supporters. Gary Generose also received Great Valley’s inaugural Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2019. When the couple heard the campus would be raising funds for sustainability programs, they were eager to continue giving back.
“Laura and I were inspired to be campaign champions for GivingTuesday and create this match because it’s a powerful way to bring people together,” Generose said. “GivingTuesday is a fantastic opportunity for small groups of individuals with shared interests to join forces to support something truly good and meaningful in the world. You don’t need to be a billionaire or a philanthropist to make a meaningful impact; you just need to be passionate and interested in helping the community around you become a better place.”
With the record-breaking success of “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” which raised $2.2 billion from 2016 to 2022, philanthropy is helping to sustain the University’s mission of education, research and service to communities across the commonwealth and around the globe. Scholarships enable Penn State to open doors and welcome students from every background, support for transformative experiences allows students and faculty to fulfill their vast potential for leadership, and gifts toward discovery and excellence help serve and impact the world. To learn more about the impact of giving and the continuing need for support, please visit raise.psu.edu.
