At Elizabethtown College, we believe that a transformative education should be within reach for every student to Build Brighter Futures. With your help, we will raise $40 million to expand access to Etown’s unique experience through scholarship support and open doors for generations to come.
The Foundation
Elizabethtown College, which was founded more than 125 years ago by Church of the Brethren leaders, continues to embrace values of peace, service, and social justice. These principles are deeply woven into the student experience, preparing graduates to address societal challenges.
Etown students thrive through meaningful experiences and strong support—core to the national Big 6 model for success. On each Big 6 aspect, the Etown College experience far exceeds what is reported nationally. And while only 3% of graduates nationwide report all six Big 6 factors, about one-third of Etown graduates do—ten times the average. Our commitment to student-centered education consistently delivers transformative outcomes in both career and life.
Our People
Students choose Etown for our relationship-rich education. Our dedicated faculty and staff provide personalized support and real-world skill development, empowering students and creating exceptional experiences that lead to lasting success.
Our Programs
Etown blends liberal arts and professional programs with high-impact experiences like internships, research, and global study—meeting workforce needs while fostering service, leadership, and unique opportunities through unique centers like the High Center for Family Business and the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies.
Our Place
Etown’s welcoming campus in Lancaster County offers a true home away from home, with access to diverse career, cultural, and service opportunities—enhanced by proximity to Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and New York for internships, clinical placements, and real-world experiences.
Our Purpose
Educate for Service is more than a motto. It’s what inspires our community to lead with purpose and empathy. It draws individuals to the College and shapes graduates who positively impact their communities.
The Future
The key to Etown’s future is growing our endowment—especially through endowed scholarships that make education accessible and impactful for the next generation. These scholarships provide crucial financial support and access to transformative student learning experiences like study abroad, faculty-led research, and internships—building skills, broadening perspectives, and opening doors to future careers.
Your support ensures future Blue Jays thrive in our relationship-rich environment, advancing Etown’s mission to educate compassionate leaders and changemakers.
Ready to Build a Brighter Future?
Positively impact Etown students by creating a scholarship or high impact learning fund. Contact Institutional Advancement at IA@etown.edu or 800-877-9658 to learn more.
“Elizabethtown College provides a transformative educational experience that cultivates individual strengths and develops a passion for lifelong learning and purposeful work. My role as the College’s 16th president is to ensure the College prospers so future generations of students can experience what those in the past have experienced—a relevant education in a supportive environment that promotes success regardless of background. In a word, it is personal. ”
— PRESIDENT BETTY RIDER, PH.D.
Endowed Scholarships
Endowed scholarships help to ensure that an Etown education is available to all students. An endowed scholarship at Etown establishes a permanent resource from which our students will receive support in perpetuity. These scholarships enable the College to enroll current and future generations of students regardless of their financial means.
Learn More about Endowed ScholarshipsImpact Scholarships
Impact scholarships are annual scholarships that support Etown students who have financial need. They enable the College to recruit and retain the best and brightest while providing greater access to a transformational Etown educational experience. Donors can create an impact scholarship with a commitment of at least $2,500 per year for a four-year pledge. Donors also have the option to name the scholarship—either for themselves or in honor/memory of someone—and designate the award to an academic school (e.g., School of Business, School of Public Service). For more information on impact scholarships, please contact Ben Osterhout, Director of Annual Giving.
Businesses can also create Impact Scholarships in support of the Family Business and Entrepreneurship Certificate or an academic school of choice. If your company is interested in supporting Etown students, please contact Cori Breault, Director of Relationship Management and Advancement Operations.
Estate Legacy Scholarship
Our shared journey—to make an Elizabethtown College education available to future generations—continues through your legacy. A scholarship created through a bequest, beneficiary designation, or other method enables you to achieve your financial goals and benefit the College in ways that may not be possible through lifetime gifts. Together, we can ensure that you plan, provide, and preserve an enduring legacy, as well as secure an inspiring future for generations of Blue Jays to come.
Learn More About Estate Legacy Planning
Read Stories of Impact
Greg ’91 and Sheri Kemper ’90 Donecker
Creators of The Greg ’91 and Sheri Kemper ’90 Donecker Business Scholarship
“Elizabethtown College not only gave us a valuable education and experiences that contributed to our success over the years, but also lifetime memories and friendships. Having both benefited from Etown scholarships while attending, we wanted to make sure that other students have the same opportunities.”
Greg and Sheri are graduates of the School of Business with concentrations in Accounting, Finance, Management, and Marketing and both benefitted from internship opportunities. They credit the excellent foundation in business education that they received at Etown with providing the necessary skills to manage and grow their family business.
Barbara ’64 and John Seidler
The Barbara ’64 and John Seidler Scholarship
“Sixty-five years ago, as a graduating high school senior, I was overwhelmed to be awarded a scholarship to attend Elizabethtown College. Now, it is my privilege to fulfill another dream by being one of many willing to provide a scholarship that will open the doors of opportunity to tomorrow’s leaders.”
Barbara never forgot how a donor’s generosity set her on a path to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher, and that was key to her and her husband’s commitment to creating a need-based scholarship that will enable current and future Etown students to prosper and succeed.
Michael J. Lorelli ’88
Creator of The Michael J. Lorelli ’88 Scholarship
“My years at Etown instilled in me a desire to give back to the community in a variety of capacities. By establishing a scholarship, I hope to provide others with the same life-changing experience that an Etown education provided to me.”
Mike is a current member of the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees, and served on the College’s President's Leadership Council for seven years. Through his involvement with Etown over the past decade, he learned that providing funds for scholarships was where he could best help the College continue its mission to “Educate for Service” and remain viable in the very competitive landscape of higher education. Mike, who graduated with a degree in Business Management and Marketing, created the scholarship to provide students of all majors with the same life-changing experiences that he had at Etown.
Beth Bowers ’79
Creator of The Beth Bowers ’79 Scholarship
“There are various ways to give back to the College, but this scholarship allowed me to go beyond just supporting the Annual Fund and other giving opportunities. It felt like a more personal connection where I can make a difference for students who share my interest in physical activity, nutrition, and athletics.”
Beth was the first donor to capitalize on Elizabethtown College’s Million Dollar Match initiative, the most significant fundraising match in Etown’s history. Through this initiative, Beth was inspired to create the Beth Bowers ’79 Scholarship, which will benefit students who are majoring in Exercise Science. As a student at Etown, Beth majored in Business Administration and was a member of the varsity field hockey and softball teams. Athletics were very important to her from an early age, and her Etown experience was defined by the close relationships she built with her teammates and coaches.
Rebecca S. Walck ’04
Creator of The Rebecca S. Walck ’04 Accounting Scholarship
“When I chose to attend Elizabethtown College, I was able to make the decision based on the merits of the school and the high quality of the Accounting program. Because of the assistance I received via scholarships, cost did not have an outsized impact on my decision. By creating a scholarship, I’m able to join the many donors who help make Etown affordable for all students.”
An Accounting major, Becky takes great pride in Etown’s program and is excited for the opportunity to support students majoring in Accounting, a profession that is currently facing a labor shortage. Etown not only provided Becky with an excellent education, but it also helped her develop lifelong friendships and a strong sense of community. She continues to serve the College as a member of the Alumni Council’s Executive Committee and the Accounting Advisory Committee.
Clark Associates
Creator of the Clark Associates Scholarship
“Clark Associates has had a great relationship with Elizabethtown College for many years and appreciates the opportunity to provide scholarships to Etown students. Clark Associates currently employs 59 Etown alumni, and they are competent, driven employees who are well-prepared to succeed in the corporate world. It is a no-brainer for us as a company to support Etown students in their educational efforts. We very much value our partnership with Elizabethtown College.”
Peter '12 & Shelley Hobbs P'28
Etown’s First Impact Scholarship Donors
“Our reason for giving to impact scholarships was about a belief in community and shared purpose. As we give to each other through gifts, acts of service, and sharing our stories, we are investing in the success of people. As an SGPS alumnus and a first-generation college graduate, I'm grateful for those at Etown who fanned the flame of perseverance for me. That gratitude is a great feeling, and the impact scholarship is a way of extending that gratitude and an inspiration to others. Please join us in building up the Blue Jay family.”
Valerie Eichorn '00
Creator of the 'Unlocking Your Potential Scholarship'
“It is so gratifying to see firsthand how your contributions are being leveraged to help students have the best educational experience possible. The name of my scholarship, ‘Unlocking Your Potential,’ embodies my purpose. It’s about helping others know they are loved, they are worthy, and they are strong.”
Valerie realized her vision of helping students push themselves beyond what they themselves perceive they are capable of through the creation of the "Unlocking Your Potential Scholarship," which benefits a student who comes from a single-parent home. Valerie earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications from Elizabethtown College. During her time at Etown, she lost her father to suicide and credits the College for supporting her through the hardest time in her life. This is what inspired her to create the “Unlocking Your Potential Scholarship.”
Watch Stories of Impact
Wesley R. Bricker ’00
President's Leadership Council
Wes Bricker ’00, a first-generation college graduate and PwC’s Global Assurance Leader, shares how Elizabethtown College transformed his life and launched a global career grounded in service, integrity, and purpose.
Elizabeth A. Rider, Ph.D.
President of Elizabethtown College
President Rider reflects on 125 years of excellence, innovation, and service. Speaking at A Century and a Quarter of Excellence & Innovation, the capstone event of Etown’s 125th anniversary celebration, President Rider shares highlights of the College’s legacy, current achievements, and vision for the future.
Skylar M. Mumford ’26
Finance Major at Elizabethtown College
Skylar M. Mumford ’26 shares how Etown has shaped her life, both academically and personally. From internships and leadership roles to faculty mentorship and lasting friendships, Skylar also expresses deep gratitude for the scholarships and generous support that made her path possible.