IMPACT THE WORLD: Investing in Our Economy and Our Entrepreneurs

The University and its supporters are partnering to drive innovation, create jobs and business, and lead the way to a brighter future.

THE BARDUSCH FAMILY IDEAMAKERS CHALLENGE

President Barron and participants at the 2019 Startup Week

The culminating event of Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC may have been virtual this year, but the excitement was real. Not only did the celebration recognize student entrepreneurs and innovators who have placed or advanced in University-wide challenges and competitions during Startup Week and throughout the academic year—it also provided an opportunity for President Barron to announce a new endowment supporting the IdeaMakers Challenge, a pitch competition sponsored by the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST). Alumni Bob and Susan Bardusch leveraged University support through the Economic Development Incentive Matching Program in making their gift to IST. Bob serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board, and the Barduschs’ daughters, Victoria and Alexandra, are both recent graduates of the college. The family appreciates IST’s commitment to encouraging innovation and leadership. “Entrepreneurship is the way of the present and certainly the way of the future,” says Susan Bardusch. “Enabling students to be able to do something with their idea, and not just talk about it in a classroom setting, is very rewarding for them, for the University, and for us.”

THE JACK WHITE FAMILY DIRECTORSHIP FOR HAPPY VALLEY LAUNCHBOX POWERED BY PNC

Rendering of the Penn State Innovation Hub

As the Invent Penn State team prepared to open the Penn State Innovation Hub in downtown State College to entrepreneurs from the University and the community this fall, alumni Jack R. and Dorothy White stepped forward to ensure strong and visionary leadership for one of the signature programs that will make its home in the new 85,000-square-foot facility. The couple’s gift of $1 million named the Jack White Family Directorship for Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank. Combined with a one-to-one University match from the Economic Development Incentive Matching Program, the Whites’ commitment will support recruitment and retention of innovative leaders for Happy Valley LaunchBox, which provides programming and resources to support local entrepreneurs, and offer flexible funding that allows current director Lee Erickson and future Jack White Family Directors to fulfill their vision for Happy Valley LaunchBox. “Jack and Dossy White understand the value of entrepreneurship and innovation, and they also understand the importance of strong leadership in any enterprise,” said James Delattre, associate vice president for research and director of the Office of Entrepreneurship & Commercialization. “Their gift—itself a remarkable example of philanthropic leadership—will ensure that the current director and future directors of Happy Valley LaunchBox have the resources they need to maintain the momentum we’ve already built up and develop new ways to meet the needs of entrepreneurs in our community.”

BOB AND LINDA MALECKY ENTREPRENEURSHIP FUND IN SUPPORT OF THE SUMMER FOUNDERS PROGRAM

Students working on a prototype

One Penn State family’s experience with disabilities has inspired them to support emerging entrepreneurs who may ease the path forward for others. “One of our children was diagnosed with a rare neuroimmune disorder when they were very young,” explains Linda Malecky, a graduate of the University’s MBA program. “As we’ve connected with the community of people dealing with this disorder, we’ve seen not only our own challenges but also the struggles other families have faced. We wanted to do something to help improve the quality of life for people who are impacted by any form of disability, while at the same time giving back to Penn State, which has played an important role in both of our lives.” Linda and her husband Bob, who earned both his undergraduate and MBA degrees at the University, tapped into the Economic Development Incentive Matching Program to endow a fund for the Summer Founders program, a 13-week entrepreneurial bootcamp that’s a signature program of Invent Penn State. The couple’s support will fund teams of student entrepreneurs developing products or services designed to positively impact the lives of people with disabilities.

LOOKING AHEAD

Gifts to support Invent Penn State’s Launch- Box and Innovation Hub Network, as well as select economic development initiatives across the Commonwealth, remain a priority in the last year of the campaign. Two opportunities to leverage University funds—the LaunchBox Matching Program and the Economic Development Matching Program—are available through June 30, 2022, or until the pool of support is exhausted. To learn more about how to make a gift and secure a match, please contact Heather Winfield at hbw11@psu.edu.