UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Delta Tau Delta Fraternity national organization has made a philanthropic commitment to support fraternity and sorority research through Penn State’s Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform. The organization’s contribution, which was matched by Penn State, underscores Delta Tau Delta’s commitment to strong partnerships with higher education institutions.
“Delta Tau Delta has always been a strong partner with our higher education partners. We believe the fraternity works best when we work together, said Jack Kreman, chief executive officer of Delta Tau Delta. “To that end, we are proud to sponsor the work of the Piazza Center to create enhanced institutional procedures. When done right, there is no better way to develop young men and women than a strong fraternity and sorority system. We look forward to elevating the conversation and doing our part to aid in the continual improvement of the student experience.”
The Delta Tau Delta gift will support continued research studies that emphasize student-centered development, student learning, educationally purposeful accountability, and harm reduction. In particular, this commitment from Delta Tau Delta Fraternity will sponsor research projects such as the improvement of student organization conduct that focuses on educational results, harm reduction, and the intersection of civility, character development, and ethical leadership.
“Support from fraternity and sorority partners is critical to realizing our research and change agenda for stronger and safer fraternity and sorority life. With partners like Delta Tau Delta, we can work to find answers and implement solutions,” said Stevan Veldkamp, executive director, Piazza Center. “The result will rebuild trust in the college fraternity and sorority experience.”
The Piazza Center is a multidisciplinary research initiative whose mission is to uplift fraternity and sorority life. The center’s research agenda is based on a change model focused on a two-pronged approach to stronger and safer organizations.
- Stronger: Enhancing student learning, specifically around leadership; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and service
- Safer: Focusing on campus prevention and intervention, including prevention of hazing, substance misuse, and dangerous drinking
The center produces actionable data to give practitioners, campuses, and headquarters the evidence needed to enact significant change on their campuses for the over 750,000 members across more than 770 campuses with fraternity and sorority life.
Penn State hopes to generate an endowment of $8 million to support the center's research. Toward that end, the University has committed $2 million in initial funding and will match up to $3 million in additional endowment funds committed for this purpose. Through this opportunity, organizations, alumni, parents and friends can leverage their gifts to secure matching funds that double the impact of their generosity. To learn more about supporting the center and the goal that students in fraternities and sororities have a safe and enriching college experience, visit the Piazza Center website.
This gift will advance "A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence," a focused campaign that seeks to elevate Penn State’s position as a leading public university in a world defined by rapid change and global connections. With the support of alumni and friends, “A Greater Penn State” seeks to fulfill the three key imperatives of a 21st-century public university: keeping the doors to higher education open to hardworking students regardless of financial well-being; creating transformative experiences that go beyond the classroom; and impacting the world by serving communities and fueling discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. To learn more about “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” visit greaterpennstate.psu.edu.