Because of a recent donation, students and faculty will continue to make money and promote research for the University.

Charles Rider and his wife, Jeanne, recently donated the $415,000 Rose Building, 112 S. Burrowes St., to the University after he leased it to The Lion Line and Science Engineering Research Communications (SERC) department for eight to 10 years.

"It's just time we gave up a few assets," he said.

The Rose Building, built in 1935, was for many years the Koch Funeral Home, he said. But Rider said he thinks its current use is beneficial for the University.

Inside the building, The Lion Line, the University's telemarketing center, and the SERC, a sub-unit of the Department of Public Information, will be able to maintain their operations.

Before the building was donated, it was rumored that The Lion Line might have to move its base, said Nicholas Ferrara, assistant director of annual giving.

"We are very pleased that the Riders donated the building. This is our permanent home now," Ferrara said.

At full capacity, the organization has 120 students that call alumni, friends and family for donations. The Lion Line made $1.3 million for academic programs last year, Ferrara said.

But The Lion Line is not the only organization benefiting from the Riders' donation. SERC, upstairs from The Lion Line, has also found its home.

"Given space issues on campus, this is an excellent location," said Vicki Fong, SERC manager.

SERC helps develop press releases about faculty research, Fong said.

"We get the word out about research and what it can do for society," she said.

Part of their work includes reviewing long research papers with scientists and condensing those papers to be distributed and understood by a larger population. SERC promotes research for key science and nutrition magazines, Fong said.

The department also serves as a communication aid for other departments, including the College of Education, the College of the Liberal Arts and the College of Arts and Architecture, she added.

Even though those organizations are benefiting from the donation, the Riders still have more assets to fall back on.

Other holdings include the James Building on Burrowes Street, the Accu-Weather building at the corner of Burrowes Street and Beaver Avenue and the Rider Building, 120 S. Burrowes St.

Rider, who attended the University in the 1940s, and his wife have also set up scholarships in the College of Agriculture and the Smeal College of Business Administration, he said.