Eberly College of Science’s Giving Tuesday

An initiative supporting the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving, fueled by social media, crowdfunding, and collaboration. It is celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and kicks off the charitable holiday season. This year, Giving Tuesday will take place on December 1, 2020.

Our Giving Tuesday efforts this year will focus on programmatic support for the college’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), which supports the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students throughout the Eberly College of Science.

Dean Tracy Langkilde is committed to this initiative as well as supporting diversity and inclusion within the college, and she is providing a 1:1 gift match up to $5,000.

Kristin Finch, Office of Diversity and Inclusion. — Kristin Finch. Photo by Nate Follmer.

"We passionately believe that all students, no matter their background, should have equal access to cocurricular opportunities and initiatives that help them explore their identities as scientists," said Kristin Finch, associate dean for diversity and inclusion. "This could be attending a conference that highlights the beauty of diversity within the sciences, or inviting a speaker that allows a student, for the first time, to see someone who looks like them doing what they aspire to do. It is through these opportunities that we see lives impacted and potential reached."

"Imagine going through all of your college science classes and never having a professor who looks like you, not knowing a single family member who has reached the goals you are striving for, never seeing the subtle everyday reminders reinforcing that you can be successful," Finch added. "It is for these reasons that we are intentionally creating a community within the Eberly College of Science where every student can be positively impacted. By supporting students’ growth, development, and participation in student organizations, research conferences, research experiences, and education abroad experiences, we know that we will create a greater, stronger Penn State science community."

Giving Tuesday gifts will have a direct impact on students’ lives and scientific careers by helping them thrive in a diverse scientific community. When students attend conferences like ABRCMS (the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students) or the SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) conference, these young scientists are oftentimes overwhelmed by the uplifting and affirming spirit that embraces them. It’s not at every scientific conference that you see a powwow by the indigenous people of the land where the conference is held, or see scientists embody their culture and heritage, and learn how that intersects with scientific practices. Supporting these initiatives will allow more students to bring their whole selves to Penn State, to research labs, and to the scientific community.

We invite you to partner with us in our Giving Tuesday campaign by doubling your donation through Dean Langkilde’s generous 1:1 gift match. We also ask that you share news of our initiative via social media.

Don’t miss this special opportunity to support underrepresented students and expand diversity-focused efforts in the college and at Penn State! Contact Patricia Phillips with questions and for additional information.