Centre County businesses and residents have contributed more than $22.8 million in gifts and pledges to the University - nearly 10 percent of the total of the Campaign for Penn State, said the executive director of University Development.

The campaign is an effort to raise $300 million for the University's academic programs. With pledges and gifts now at $244 million, Laurie Musgrove said she is confident the campaign will reach its goal by July 1990.

Centre countians are active on three campaign segments -- the regional major gifts committee, the Community Challenge and the Faculty and Staff Challenge, she said, noting that the regional committee has raised the most money of the three. The committee, chaired by Floyd Fischer, has brought in more than $17 million so far, Musgrove said.

The three local committees are the strongest in the campaign. Local donations are easier to solicit than donations from other cities because of the interaction between the students, faculty and the townspeople, she said.

"Fundraising is based primarily upon relationships and involvement," she said. "The closer the constituency is to the University, the more willing they are to provide gifts."

Sidney Friedman, co-chairman of the regional committee, said his group is responsible for collecting pledges between $10,000 and $250,000. Regional major gifts solicits primarily cash donations from businesses, he said.

Community Challenge, chaired by State College businessman John Walizer, Jr., has raised more than $208,000, Musgrove said. The group collects pledges under $10,000, she added.

The Faculty and Staff Challenge --chaired by Patricia Farrell, associate professor of recreation and parks, and John Lilley, provost and dean of Behrend College -- has been credited with collecting $360,000 for academic programs at the University.

Donations to the Campaign for Penn State benefit various needs of the University including faculty fellowships, library support and research funds, she said. Some gifts are mini-scholarships or equipment contributed by area businesses, she added.

Solicitation for pledges is approached in several ways, such as direct mailing to prospective donators, Musgrove said. In addition, volunteers personally call and visit local individuals and businesses who they think may donate.

Volunteers include local University alumni as well as many nongraduates, she said. The high level of contact between the University and the community garners a large percentage of contributions from people who have never attended the University, she said. Residents often use University facilities and attend University-sponsored sports events, she said.