UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Smeal’s Student Emergency Fund was a lifeline for fourth-year student Da'Quan Kirkpatrick last year.
Kirkpatrick was working nearly 40 hours a week, on top of his demanding class schedule, just to pay his living expenses. When he decided to pursue a law degree, he said he did not have the resources for the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) or any special classes to help him prepare for such an important exam.
Marketing alumna Hillary Espinal Vicioso said that, as a Penn State student, there were times that she didn’t have enough money to buy groceries — a problem that national data suggest impacts more than 40% of four-year college students.
It's scenarios like this that inspired Smeal alumnus John Barnes and his wife, Kassie, to pledge their support for Smeal’s Student Emergency Fund. The couple will match, dollar for dollar, the first $5,000 raised this GivingTuesday.
“Kassie and I both experienced significant family life events while in college and understand the stress this can cause families. If our gift can inspire other alumni and friends to make a gift on GivingTuesday so that the unexpected doesn’t stand between Smeal students and graduation, then we are more than happy to help,” Barnes said.
Smeal’s Student Emergency Fund, the beneficiary of the college's 2021 and 2022 GivingTuesday fundraising campaigns, was created to help students facing an unanticipated financial crisis as they work to complete their degrees. Those crises may include a parent losing a job, medical expenses, an unexpected additional semester of college, time away from the University to participate in co-ops or other professional opportunities or myriad other events that can derail even the best-laid plans to finance a college education.
Felisa Higgins, associate dean for undergraduate education, pointed out that, for many students, just a few hundred dollars can be the difference between dropping out of college and completing their degree.
"The lifetime benefits to that student in terms of better job opportunities, increased earnings potential and economic stability are so important," she said. "As Pennsylvania's sole land-grant institution, it's imperative that we help ensure our students are able to complete their degrees and make an impact in the world."
Penn State will celebrate its ninth GivingTuesday on Tuesday, Nov. 28, but an early fundraising period that began Nov. 14 is allowing campaigns across the University to get a jump-start on fundraising. To learn more and to make a gift as part of this year’s GivingTuesday campaign, visit Smeal’s GivingTuesday webpage.
Gifts made on GivingTuesday 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.