UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — To honor the legacy of his parents, Penn State alumnus and Board of Trustees member Alvin de Levie, who graduated from Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts in 1973, has established the Dagobert and Elsie de Levie Student Study Abroad Fund in Penn State Global. Dagobert de Levie was a professor of German at Penn State beginning in 1946 and later established the University’s study abroad program in the 1960s.
Under Dagobert de Levie's leadership, Penn State’s education abroad program offerings expanded to include various exchange programs and opportunities for students to study foreign languages.
“We are honored to continue the legacy of Dr. Dagobert de Levie by offering transformative education abroad programs around the world to our Penn State students,” said Roger Brindley, vice provost for Global. “Alvin de Levie is deeply committed to making global learning experiences a reality for those students who might not otherwise be able to afford it. We are grateful for his support in establishing this exciting student scholarship fund.”
Alvin de Levie’s gift of $50,000 to establish the fund reflects his commitment to supporting students in their global learning endeavors and helping to make education abroad experiences more affordable.
“As a proud Penn State alumnus and a member of the Board of Trustees, I look forward to expanding the impact of this memorial scholarship fund," said de Levie.
Penn State alumni, faculty, staff and friends can contribute to the Dagobert and Elsie de Levie Student Study Abroad Fund by using the online contribution link through Penn State Giving. Contributions received to this fund will be awarded to eligible students within the same year, meaning members of the Penn State community can have an immediate impact on student educational access and success by donating to the fund at any level. This year, the fund is one of two Penn State Global priorities for GivingTuesday. More information can be found at the GivingTuesday website for the fund.
Current Penn State students can choose from over 300 education abroad programs in more than 50 countries on every continent. With global learning opportunities to fit every academic major and minor, education abroad is available to every Penn State student across the Commonwealth. Financial considerations remain an important factor for students in deciding whether to study abroad. The Dagobert and Elsie de Levie Student Study Abroad Fund will provide scholarships to students with demonstrated financial need to help defray the cost of participating in an education abroad program.
As Penn State Global celebrates International Education Month throughout November, students are encouraged to explore education abroad opportunities and scholarships. For more information, contact educationabroad@psu.edu.
Donors like Alvin de Levie 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.