UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State graduate Carolyn Inhoffer Montes knew from her earliest days at the University that, when she was able to do so, she wanted to endow a scholarship and plan for lifelong support of an organization that advances a cause that she cares about. Her commitment was reaffirmed when, early in her professional life, she was exposed to philanthropic leaders and learned about estate planning at a relatively young age.
As a result, she recently made an estate commitment that will help to strengthen the endowed scholarship she established in 2021 to support military-connected students at the University. The Inhoffer Montes Family Student Veteran Scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate student who is currently serving or has served in the U.S. armed forces or is a dependent of an individual who is currently serving or has served.
“Carolyn’s unwavering support of the servicemembers who call Penn State home is truly inspiring,” said Renée Thornton-Roop, senior director of the University’s Office of Veterans Programs. “Military-connected students encounter a variety of unique challenges when transitioning to higher education — and through this most recent display of generosity, Carolyn has further cemented her legacy as an individual who will stop at nothing to help them to achieve their educational and personal goals.”
Inhoffer Montes has been connected to the military for as long as she can remember. Growing up with a father who served in the Marine Corps, and a deep history of military service on both sides of her family, she was always acutely aware of why service to country is important.
“I felt proud knowing that my dad and so many members of my family before him helped to defend my rights,” she recalled.
Her connection to the military deepened again when her brother joined the ranks as a member of the Air Force. And she eventually went on to marry Fernando Montes, a veteran of the Army and National Guard.
“To say that I am a part of a family that appreciates, supports and defends our republic, our Constitution and our American way of life would be an understatement,” said Inhoffer Montes. “That’s why I feel so strongly about supporting military-connected Penn Staters — I’m not only helping to alleviate their financial burden but also honoring the dedication of all of the servicemembers in my life.”
Enrolling at the University in 1984 as a marketing student in the Smeal College of Business, Inhoffer Montes made it her mission to explore everything that interested her throughout her Penn State journey. In addition to succeeding in her studies, she became a member of the American Marketing Association and the equestrian team, and she worked for the football program through a work-study program that was offered at the time. Upon her graduation in 1988, Inhoffer Montes tapped that same drive to embark on a career that spanned over 30 years and saw her hold leadership-level roles in marketing, sales and various service-based companies that support the health care industry.
“Penn State provided me with the tools I needed to chase my passions as a student and thrive as an industry professional,” said Inhoffer Montes. “From day one at University Park, I knew I wanted to give back when I was able to afford it — and I’m grateful to have been able to do it in a way that makes a positive impact on military-connected students.”
In 2021, Inhoffer Montes decided to catch up on her stack of Penn Stater magazines and stumbled upon a feature story that focused on the University’s Student Veteran Center, which houses the Office of Veterans Programs and the Office of Veterans Affairs and Services. She and Fernando agreed to further investigate the offices’ efforts. Upon learning about the various programs offered through these offices — including assistance with GI Bill benefits, transition-to-college programs, peer-to-peer mentoring and support, counseling resources and more — she was inspired to be a part of it.
“At Penn State, we are deeply committed to taking care of those who have sacrificed so much to keep our nation and our citizens safe — and Carolyn’s remarkable support is emblematic of that commitment,” said Eugene McFeely, senior director for Veterans Affairs and Services. “Her generosity is going to go a long way in helping military-connected students to thrive at the University, and I look forward to more members of the Penn State community following her example.”
Inhoffer Montes’s first gift made in support of the center was directed toward its food pantry for military-connected students. Building upon her previous generosity, she decided to cement her support of those who have served by endowing the Inhoffer Montes Family Student Veteran Scholarship in 2021, and recently established an estate gift to grow the fund upon her passing.
“When I learned more about what exactly GI Bill benefits do not cover and that there are many military-connected students who need help to afford the evolving costs of pursuing a college degree, I knew I had to get involved,” said Inhoffer Montes. “I’m proud to have been able to get the ball rolling through establishing this scholarship, and I hope that it can help to motivate others to support student veterans, active-duty servicemembers and their families at Penn State, too.”
Donors like Inhoffer Montes 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.