UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The alumnae of Chi Omega Nu Gamma (Nu Gammas) at Penn State have established an endowment for the Penn State Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC). The endowment will support students in recovery by helping to fund beneficial programming and generating awareness of the CRC.
The CRC, a program in Student Affairs, was founded in 2011 to help students in recovery from alcohol and other addictions. The program supports students through fellowship and programming designed to promote a sober lifestyle.
“Fellowship is critical for maintaining sobriety, especially in a college environment,” said Diana Paterno Giegerich, an alumnae of Penn State and Chi Omega Nu Gamma. Paterno Giegerich, along with Diane Fleming led the effort to create the endowment. “Parents and students absolutely need to know that this vital resource is available at Penn State.”
Since 2011, the CRC has grown to a thriving community of 26 active members. Members are highly successful, with very low relapse rates and higher GPAs and graduation rates than the University Park averages. The students in the program remain completely free of alcohol and other drugs. They attend weekly peer-support meetings and other CRC activities and are expected to work a recovery program in addition to their involvement in the CRC. The CRC also has dedicated on-campus recovery housing with the ROAR (Residence of Addiction Recovery) House.
“Students in recovery from alcohol and other substance use disorders face unique challenges as they pursue their educations,” said Jason Whitney, CRC program coordinator. “Before the CRC, many of these students lacked the necessary support and advocacy needed to enable their recovery and achieve educational success. This endowment will give the CRC much needed funding to continue to provide that support.”
The Nu Gammas have continued to share the bonds of sisterhood and philanthropy long past graduation through events such as Homecoming and THON. The Nu Gammas choose to support the CRC because they see a critical need for the services and programming the CRC provides. In addition, many of the sisters have friends and loved ones who have suffered and recovered from addiction.
“The Nu Gammas wanted to help the CRC continue to grow and provide as many students as possible with the resources necessary to stay sober and benefit from a fulfilling college experience,” said Paterno Giegerich.
Thirty-five members of the alumnae group donated the $25,000 necessary to start the endowment, with more sisters planning to donate. The alumnae group also has plans to expand their outreach to generate more money as the program grows.
Gifts from Penn State’s alumni and friends have been essential to the success of the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve the public good. To fulfill that mission for a new era of rapid change and global connections, the University has begun A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence, a fast-paced campaign focused on the three key imperatives of a public university. Private support will keep the door to higher education open and enable students to graduate on time and on track to success; create transformative experiences on Penn State campuses and around the globe that tap the full potential of Penn Staters to make a difference; and impact the world through discovery, innovation, and entrepreneurship. To learn more, visit www.giveto.psu.edu.
To learn more about the CRC or to contact the program, visit http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/familyservices/crc/. To contribute to the endowment, visit www.GiveTo.psu.edu/CRCFund or contact Andrea Pagano-Reyes, amp244@psu.edu.