The following endowment funds are available to faculty and staff at Penn State Berks.
To apply for funding, complete and submit the Endowment Fund Request Form to Susan Manwiller, stewardship coordinator in the Office of Development (209 Janssen Office Building). The request will be reviewed and approved by the division head, Academic Affairs and the Chancellor. When a decision is made, the requestor will be notified via email by Susan Manwiller. If you have any questions, please contact Susan at extension 6056 or [email protected].
Please note that approvals for endowment funding may take longer than usual as our leadership team is undertaking a strategic review of overall use, evaluation of requests and disbursement of program endowments. We are basing the review of endowments on the following goals we would like to achieve concerning their use:
- Support the initiatives of the campus
- Clarify process for endowments and make them more accessible
- Make disbursement more equitable
- Increase collaboration throughout campus
Please note, we are not changing the requirements related to each endowment and what they fund, as those are set by the donor. We appreciate your patience.
submit an endowment request form
Howard O., Jr., and Jean S. Beaver Endowment for Community Service
Purpose: To support the University's land-grant mission of service to the needs of the community and to encourage the spirit of volunteerism in the campus community.
Howard O. and Jean Beaver Endowment for Guest Lecturers at Berks Campus
Purpose: To make possible lectures and presentations at Penn State Berks by individuals of local, national, and international stature to enhance the academic and cultural life of the campus.
Berks Campus Arts and Cultural Fund
Purpose: To provide monies for approved purposes which will enhance the arts and cultural programs at Penn State Berks and for which general funds are not available.
Berks Campus Endowment Fund
Purpose: To use for capital improvements to existing buildings and grounds. Also can be used for special projects which enhance our academic programs, awards, and support of the arts.
Berks Campus Conference Center Fund
Purpose: To provide monies for the development and upkeep of the Janssen/Wetzel property as a conference center, office location, and maintenance facility.
Penn State Berks Entrepreneurship Program Endowment
Purpose: To fund entrepreneurship and economic development programs. To be used for, but not limited to, entrepreneurship speaker series, business idea competitions, field experiences, student entrepreneurship projects, and equipment and supplies.
Joseph L. and Shirley K. Boscov Honors Endowment
Purpose: To provide support for the honors program at Penn State Berks by providing monies for purposes such as scholarships, lectures, student scholarly travel, and other program expenditures.
Elsa L. and John W. Bowman Curriculum Endowment
Purpose: To provide financial assistance to faculty and staff for curriculum development and enhancement of academic programs at Penn State Berks.
Dr. Frank Franco Undergraduate Research Endowment
Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies to support and encourage research projects and initiatives of undergraduate students.
NOTE: The Franco Endowment application is different from all other endowments. Apply for the Franco Endowment here, but use the link at the top of the page to apply for all other endowments.
Applications for the Dr. Frank Franco Undergraduate Research Endowment are only accepted and awarded during certain times of the year. Applications for the Franco Endowment are due by:
- September 15 for the fall semester,
- January 15 for the spring semester, and
- April 15 for the summer semester.
Full-time Penn State Berks students, along with faculty collaboration/mentors engaged in undergraduate research projects, may submit their application. Applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship of Research and Creative Accomplishments committee. The Chancellor will make the final decision based on the committee’s recommendation. The confirmation of funding notification will be sent to the applicant by Lisa Curran, Academic Affairs, Penn State Berks Grants Office.
Dr. Ruth M. Freyberger Endowment for the Arts and Art Education
Purpose: To provide monies for enhancing the arts and cultural programs at Penn State Berks for which general funds are not available.
Frederick H. and Austra Gaige Fund to Support Innovation
Purpose: To support and recognize outstanding achievement by faculty, staff and students at Penn State Berks who demonstrate innovation in teaching and learning or in institutional support for the teaching and learning process.
Mrs. Harold McI. Grout and Mrs. C. Glenn Kauffman Endowment for the Arts
Purpose: To be used to support the enrichment of the cultural life of Penn State Berks by providing performances of music, dance, drama, or exhibits of art.
Hillkirk Family Program Endowment for Ethics and Sustainability
Purpose: To provide funds to increase awareness and education, and encourage action among students, faculty and staff, and the community, regarding issues related to ethics and sustainability.
Joseph R. Himmel Endowment for Theatre Arts
Purpose: To provide monies to enhance and improve the quality of theatre arts programs at Penn State Berks.
Helen H. and William G. Hintz Endowment for Engineering and Science Equipment
Purpose: To provide monies for equipment and equipment-related expenses which will enhance and improve the quality of engineering and science programs at Penn State Berks.
The Valeria E. Hoffert Memorial Endowment for Capital Improvements
Purpose: To provide monies to enhance the physical facilities and grounds at Penn State Berks. These funds shall be utilized for projects for which general funds are not available.
George J. Losoncy Endowment in Physics and Astronomy at Penn State Berks
Purpose: To provide support for faculty, staff, and students for curriculum development, faculty research, student research and the enhancement of academic programs at Penn State Berks in Physics and Astronomy in the Division of Science.
Betty Lou McLean Endowment for Theatre
Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies for the Department of Theatre.
Harold W. and Jeanne D. Perkins Endowment Fund
Purpose: The purpose of this endowment is two-fold: to provide scholarships to students enrolled at Penn State Berks and to provide grants to full time faculty and staff members for the purpose of professional improvement or advanced study related to the academic programs.
Harold A. Pfreimer Endowment for Faculty Development
Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies for Engineering faculty to participate in professional development beyond the scope of what is currently offered by Penn State.
Harold A. Pfreimer Engineering Outreach and Recruitment Endowment for Penn State Berks
Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies for recruiting, paid internships, and outreach programs for students enrolled in an engineering major at Penn State Berks.
Harold A. Pfreimer Engineering Projects Endowment
Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies for engineering projects that educate Penn State Berks students.
Philip D. Rowe, Jr. and Mary Lee Rowe Endowment to Support Agricultural Activities at Berks Campus
Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies for student scholarships, faculty research, curriculum development and other activities associated with agricultural education.
Susan Phillips Speece Endowment for Science and Innovation
Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies to the Division of Science to support innovation in programming and activities.
Robert W. and Elizabeth L. Werts Endowment for Music at Berks Campus
Purpose: To support musical performances at Penn State Berks in order to enhance the cultural life of the campus.