UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — David M. and Joanne M. Kleppinger have committed a total of $280,000 to Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts to create the David M. and Joanne M. Kleppinger Pennsylvania Government Relations Internship Program Endowment. The endowment is designed to provide paid internships to political science and other liberal arts students in Pennsylvania-based government relations firms, as well as in state, county and municipal entities.
“David and Joanne’s philanthropy represents a significant investment in the future of our students and the commonwealth,” said Clarence Lang, Susan Welch Dean of the College of the Liberal Arts. “By creating this internship endowment, they are providing students with transformative, real-world experiences that will not only enhance their academic journey but also position them to make meaningful contributions in government and policy. The Kleppingers’ generosity reflects the best of what it means to be part of the Penn State liberal arts community.”
David Kleppinger, a 1977 Liberal Arts alumnus and vice chair of the Penn State Board of Trustees since 2020, highlighted the personal inspiration behind the gift.
"As lifelong Pennsylvanians and devoted supporters of Penn State, Joanne and I wanted to take an innovative approach with this endowment, while supporting the priorities of President Neeli Bendapudi and Dean Clarence Lang," he stated.
The endowment is designed to advance goals related to increasing access, affordability and career readiness, providing students with invaluable hands-on experience in government relations.
After graduating from Penn State with his bachelor’s degree in political science, Kleppinger earned his juris doctor from Temple University School of Law in 1980. With a law career spanning more than 40 years, he practiced entirely at McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, a Harrisburg-based law firm. He was elected chairman of the firm in 2006, and after serving in that capacity for 12 years, was given the honorary title of chairman emeritus.
Kleppinger has also served on the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry Board of Directors since 2008, acting as chair from 2019 to 2020. He is a member of the Department of Political Science Board of Visitors and he and Joanne support the Jeffrey L. Hyde and Sharon D. Hyde and Political Science Board of Visitors Early Career Professorship and the McCourtney Institute for Democracy.
The $250,000 initial principal, supplemented by an additional $6,000 annual contribution over five years, will support student interns with preference given to those pursuing degrees in political science or those interning with specific firms, reflecting the Kleppingers’ professional connections and personal history. Those include McNees Strategic Solutions Group, a subsidiary of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC; Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry; Greenlee Partners LLC; Allegheny Strategy Partners and One+ Strategies.
“These firms exhibit the leadership and professionalism we all want to see in the legal and government relations professions,” Kleppinger said. “Many of the principals in these firms are dear friends and have been impactful and inspirational to Joanne and me. Students who have the good fortune of interning at any of these entities will certainly be better prepared for rewarding careers.”
The endowment builds on Kleppinger’s own experiences as a student at Penn State when he received a foundation award that led to a formative internship in Pennsylvania state government. "That experience solidified my desire to attend law school and pursue a career in government relations," he said. With this endowment, the Kleppingers hope to inspire similar outcomes for current students.
“Because these internships will be in Pennsylvania-based private government relations firms and in Pennsylvania state, county, and municipal entities," he said, "we hope the recipients will be encouraged to continue living and working in our great commonwealth just like we have.”
Emphasizing the impact of the Kleppingers’ commitment, David Lieb, interim vice president for development and alumni relations, said, “Philanthropy can unlock opportunities that reshape students' lives and positively influence society. David and Joanne’s generous support of Penn State and the College of the Liberal Arts will enhance students' career readiness and foster our future public service leaders. This is an investment in both individual growth and the larger community, benefiting us all.”
In reflecting on his and his wife’s contribution to Penn State, Kleppinger emphasized the importance of aligning personal passions with institutional goals: "Whether it’s internships, scholarships or mentoring, I encourage others to find their own areas of passion and match them with the goals of the University. Philanthropy plays a crucial role in supplementing the revenue sources for higher education, and we believe strongly in helping future generations access these transformative opportunities.”
The gift has deep personal meaning to the couple. “Because Joanne and I come from a very humble blue-collar family background, we feel very fortunate to have the resources to initially fund this endowment and sincerely hope that it can grow exponentially to support more and more students,” Kleppinger said. “After 46 years of marriage and raising our two college-educated children, we have first-hand experience and a deep appreciation for the value of education and the opportunities it brings. Someday, our beloved Penn State may even achieve President Bendapudi’s long term goal of having at least one internship opportunity for every Penn State student. We are honored to make this initial contribution on the journey to that goal.”
Gifts like the David M. and Joanne M. Kleppinger Pennsylvania Government Relations Internship Program Endowment 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.