Donor Impact & Recognition
Transforming Lives, Because of You
Elizabethtown College recognizes that generosity provides opportunities to transform lives and contributes to the success of the College. Giving is about more than the gift itself — it is about keeping an Etown education within reach for students who might not otherwise be able to attend, honoring the faculty and staff who teach and serve them, and funding the lectures, athletics, and campus programs the whole community shares. That is what your support makes possible.
Build Brighter Futures
Elizabethtown College has launched a $40 million effort focused entirely on student scholarships, ensuring future generations of Blue Jays have access to a transformative Etown education.
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Why I Give
Pat Pietrefesa ’96
Creator of the Patrick J. Pietrefesa ’96 Educational Opportunities Scholarship
“Being in a position to help create student opportunities is both an honor and a responsibility — one that I embrace with gratitude.”
Business Administration and Management major Pat ’96 describes his time at Etown as truly transformational — it was the first place where he learned to rely on himself, manage competing priorities, and grow into a confident young adult ready to take on the world. Pat’s scholarship supports underrepresented students who embrace qualities such as hard work, resourcefulness, perseverance, academic achievement, and commitment to their community.
Philanthropy in Action
Emma Haab ’26, M’27
Recipient of the Jay A. Izenour ’72 and Karen L. Izenour Scholarship and the Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Scholarship
“My scholarships allow me to continue to pursue my education and future career as an occupational therapist, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity these scholarships provide.”
Occupational Therapy major Emma Haab ’26, M’27 acknowledges that her scholarships have helped ease some of the financial pressure of college while giving her more time and energy to focus on her coursework and hands-on learning experiences. She has also been able to stay involved in meaningful activities like dance that support her creativity and well-being.
Creating a Meaningful Legacy
J.G. Francis Society
Jay A. Izenour ’72
Creator of the Jay A. Izenour ’72 and Karen L. Izenour Scholarship
After attending Elizabethtown College, Jay Izenour ’72 went on to become a successful entrepreneur. With a heart for philanthropy and Etown students, Jay and his wife, Karen, generously planned an estate gift that created an endowment to provide need-based scholarships for full-time, degree-seeking students at Elizabethtown College.
Every year, the Jay A. Izenour and Karen L. Izenour Scholarship helps our Blue Jays achieve their dreams — including Occupational Therapy major Emma Haab ’26, M’27.
Corporate Engagement
Support for Etown starts with someone who sees the value in the College. That generosity strengthens our community and creates opportunities students carry with them long after graduation.
DDMP Investment Advisors, LLC
Lead Sponsor, Blue Jay Open Golf Tournament
“As a 1985 Elizabethtown College graduate, I continue to be frequently amazed just how impactful my education and life experiences during those formative years have been in my career, and life in general. I will be forever grateful for those years at Elizabethtown College and the impact they brought to my life.”
— Jim McCurdy ’85, Partner at DDMP
Elizabethtown College’s Blue Jay Open Golf Tournament is an important fundraiser for our 25 NCAA Division III athletic teams, and the event wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated sponsors. We gratefully acknowledge our lead event sponsor, DDMP Investment Advisors of Elizabethtown, Pa., for leading the way in supporting our athletic teams.
Sponsor of Mars Snacking Executive Lecture Series
Mars Snacking has partnered with the Elizabethtown College School of Business to bring senior-level executives from a range of industries to campus to talk about their businesses and engage students in discussion.
Students hear from executives who specialize in particular disciplines, gaining a real-world perspective on business and a foundation for applying the core principles they learn in the classroom — another example of the School of Business’s commitment to experiential learning.
Faculty and Staff Recognition
Each year, Elizabethtown College presents awards endowed by generous donors to honor faculty and staff members who inspire and serve students, contribute to their academic and professional growth, and advance their respective fields through dedicated research.
David C. Beidleman Exemplar Staff Award
Established by David C. Beidleman
David Beidleman served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Elizabethtown College for almost two decades. David created this award to honor staff members’ dedication, commitment, and service to the College.
Ranck Prize for Research Excellence
Established by Dr. Robert O. Kerr ’64, H’23 and Mary Ann Kerr ’64
The Ranck Prize was established as a permanent endowment by Dr. Robert O. Kerr ’64, H’23 and Mary Ann Kerr ’64 to recognize and celebrate outstanding research by a full-time Elizabethtown College faculty member. The award honors Dr. John P. Ranck ’58, faculty member emeritus and former chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
See Previous RecipientsKreider Prize for Teaching Excellence
Established by Dr. Thomas H. Conner ’72
Made possible through the generosity of alumnus Dr. Thomas H. Conner ’72, the Kreider Prize recognizes a faculty member for their excellence in teaching and commitment to their field of study. The award is named in honor of Dr. J. Kenneth Kreider ’61 P’81 P’85 and Carroll Kreider ’60 P’81 P’85. The Kreiders were not only inspirational in the classroom but also powerful mentors and role models.
See Previous RecipientsDr. Frank P. Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship
Established by Dr. Mary E. Schmidt ’79 and Dr. Russell Libby
Established to commend and celebrate excellence in advising and mentoring students toward successful graduate school placement and/or careers, the Polanowski Prize is made possible through the generosity of Dr. Mary E. Schmidt ’79 and her husband, Dr. Russell Libby. The award is named in honor of Dr. Frank P. Polanowski, Associate Professor of Biology Emeritus.
See Previous RecipientsDr. Mary E. Schmidt ’79 Faculty Service Fund
Established by Dr. Mary E. Schmidt ’79
The Dr. Mary E. Schmidt ’79 Faculty Service Fund was created to honor inspiring faculty members who demonstrate the importance of student-faculty experiences through the embodiment of our Educate for Service motto. This fund was made possible through the generosity of Dr. Mary E. Schmidt ’79 and annually celebrates a faculty member’s development of meaningful and purposeful student experiences through service that creates pathways and preparation for the real world. Recipients of the award embrace the teacher-scholar model by engaging students as partners in advancing their scholarly research agendas and preparing students for successful careers.
See Previous RecipientsLecture and Program Support
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Elizabethtown College hosts annual events, lectures, and programs that bring the campus and broader community together to engage with internationally recognized speakers, community leaders, and inspiring works of art. These enriching experiences foster meaningful dialogue and help make Etown, and the people and communities it serves, a better place.
Elizabethtown College Lecture Series
Etown’s Lecture Series continues a long tradition of bringing nationally recognized speakers to campus for evenings that enlighten, engage, and entertain. Three endowed lectures anchor the series each year, each made possible by a family whose gift keeps it running in perpetuity.
- Ware Lecture Endowed by Judy S. ’68, H’25 and Paul W. Ware
- Leffler Lecture Endowed by Linda ’67, H’03 and Patrick Castagna
- Lefever Lecture Endowed by Ernest W. Lefever ’42, H’92