ABINGTON, Pa. — When Steve Taub, class of 1973, reflected on his extensive and successful career in international business a few years ago, his thoughts turned local, back to his formative time at Penn State Abington, not far from his childhood home. He realized that 50 years later, Abington still equals opportunity for business students. 

“Abington offers unique options, and you receive more individual attention here and a broad range of opportunities and experiences," he said. "It provides flexibility to students with all the benefits of a world-class university."

In 2020, Taub elected to build on his legacy of commitment to Abington by establishing the Germer-Taub Business Leadership Fund, named after his beloved grandmother and aunt whose resilience and determination inspired him. The fund provides qualified juniors and seniors with up to $10,000 in scholarships and an additional $2,500 for their internships. It also supports study abroad and business case competitions to prepare students for successful careers in the global economy. 

“Abington has the perfect environment for business students with the perfect level of attention to their education," he said. "The idea behind the Germer-Taub Business Leadership Fund is to give them access to new opportunities that will expand their careers.”

For Thomas Stone, business programs chair at Abington, the Germer-Taub Business Leadership Fund allows faculty to reward high-achieving, high-promise students with demonstrated financial need. It also elevates the awareness of Abington’s premier business programs to well-known employers who then recruit Penn State students. 

“Students are being offered internships at prestigious companies such as Comcast and top accounting firms thanks to the Germer-Taub scholarship," Stone said. "Some of these students are now able to complete multiple internships, which makes them even more marketable."

Junior Alyssa Feliciano, a finance major with a minor in management information systems, is one of more than a dozen current Germer-Taub recipients. She interned at global telecommunications giant Lumen Technologies this year. 

“I’m grateful for the Germer-Taub scholarship because I was able to take 21 credits this semester, and I didn’t have to work, so I could focus on my classes,” she said. 

Stone, who recruited Penn State students during his two decade career in finance at Siemens, is deeply grateful for the support of donors such as Taub and others for Abington business programs. 

“Making sure students get the opportunities they deserve is the best part of my job, and it is all made possible by Germer-Taub funds and other philanthropic support,” he said.

Taub said he hopes that more donors will join him in supporting Penn State Abington and the students with whom he feels a close connection.

“It is a testament to the maturity, determination, and motivation of these students," he said. "They understand that this opportunity at Abington is helping to create their future. Abington does not hold people back, which is why Abington has always been dear to my heart."

Donors like Steve Taub advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.

About Penn State Abington

Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 25 majors, accelerated master's degrees, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.