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Financial support for Penn State University’s Center for Turfgrass Science has grown substantially over the past year as the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Research, Inc. (PTRI) continues to build its Growing the Game campaign.
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PTRI says donors to the Growing the Game campaign see a strong link between the their turfgrass management programs and the success of Penn State’s turfgrass program. PTRI recognizes their support at a variety of giving levels. At the end of September the list of donotrs included: Chairmans Club donors of $25,000 or moreE. H. Griffith President’s Club donor with support of $10,000 or more, Penn State Founders Club donors with support of $5,000 or more Penn State Benefactors Club donors for support of $2,500 or more Donors at other levels are George Hamilton Associates in recognition of support of $1,000 or more: Michael Burke, John Chassard, Tom Drayer, Jeffrey Fry, Jerred Golden, Michael Hartley, Carmen Magro, Scott Schukraft, Matthew Shaffer, Frank T. Shuman, John Yakubisin, Carlisle Country Club, Chartiers Country Club, Henry Meinert Memorial Contributors, Rolling Rock Club, Saucon Valley Country Club and West Penn Golf Association. Penn State Patrons Club in recognition of support of $500 or more: Jack Eden, John Kaminski, Peter Landschoot, James Loke, Max Schlossberg, Michael Smith, Al Turgeon, James Wellen, and Commonwealth National Golf Club. Friends of the Game In recognition of support of $100 or more: Michael Bedi, Louis Bosco, William Corcoran, Andrew Johnston, Scott Keener, David LaLena, and Lee Maurer Individual Gifts of less than $100: Joseph Candelore, James Martin, and Brackenridge Heights Country Club. |
Leading golf courses and businesses have been joined by hundreds of individuals with contributions and/or pledges totaling nearly $179,000 as part of PTRI’s goal to create multi-million dollar endowment that will sustain the Center long-term and enable it to expand its research, as well as provide scholarship opportunities for promising leaders in turf research and management.
When Jerred Golden, president of the PTRI board of trustees and co-chair of the campaign, issued the first stewardship report in September, he said, “I speak for the entire Board of Trustees when I say we are sincerely grateful for these donors and also for the support of volunteers from all over the country, who have accepted campaign leadership roles.”
James Wellen has been Executive Director for the campaign over the last year and he says he is awed by the dedication so many people have for the Center for Turfgrass Science at Penn State: “The Center does more than provide excellent training and research - it inspires tremendous loyalty and support,” he said. He recommends reading the Center’s annual research report to get a perspective on the Center’s value to the industry. Reports from 2004 and previous years are posted on the Web at http://turf.cas.psu.edu/research.cfm.
“The campaign provides an opportunity for all of us who benefited from Penn State educationally, from its vast resources, and from the research that has produced some of the greatest innovations in turf to give something back,” Golden emphasizes.
Today the leadership for the Growing the Game campaign represents some of the most celebrated golf clubs and turf professionals in the world. This nationwide network of more than 30 volunteers are lending their talents and time to create a permanent source of reliable funding to support turfgrass education and research at Penn State. Joining Golden as co-chair is the Green Chair at Merion Golf Club, Wilson (Bill) Greenwood. A complete list of campaign leaders is available on the web at www.paturf.org.
Campaign volunteers are seeking annual support from country clubs and their members, businesses and individuals associated with the turfgrass industry, Penn State alumni, and from golfers and other people who enjoy lawns, athletic fields and environmentally friendly landscapes.
Executive Director Jim Wellen is available to discuss the many innovative ways that individuals and clubs can structure their donations or become involved in the campaign. To contact him phone 609/238-8903 or email: jwellen@erols.com.
Pennsylvania Turfgrass Research Trust, Inc. was established by the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council (PTC) in 2003. PTC has supported the Center for Turfgrass Science at Penn State with contributions of more than $2,000,000 since 1955. The new fund was created when it became clear that with State and Federal grants decreasing and other funding sources tightening, action was needed to provide Penn State with a new source of funds to continue its vital work.