University society makes annual giving a golden opportunity

University alumnus Charlie Lupton made his first donation to the University by giving to his senior class gift when he graduated in 1940. Since then, he has made an additional donation each year.

Because of his continuing monetary support of the University, Lupton has membership in the Golden Lion Society, a program that gives recognition to University alumni who have made contributions every year since graduation.

Lupton said he gives because he recognizes the value of giving to the University, said Sue Powell of the Office of Annual Giving and adviser for the Senior Class Gift Committee. The Office of Annual Giving also wants young alumni to realize the value of a gift to the University, she added.

"We're trying to say to all of the young alumni, 'Do what Charlie does,' " Powell said.

The Golden Lion program is all about recognition, Powell said. It does not matter how much the member gives, just that they give every year since their graduation.

Jim Ryerson, member of the Golden Lion Society and graduate of the Class of 1993, did not set out to give to the University each year, but he said he found donating was a way for him to continue his involvement with the University.

"It gives you a way to connect with the University after you leave town," said Ryerson, chairman of the 1993 Senior Class Gift Committee.

Ryerson is one of the 3 percent of the alumni population who are members of the program, which originated in 1993.

The low membership is largely because alumni often do not give for the first couple of years after graduation and then can no longer be members, said Amy Andryszak, public relations chair for the 1997 Senior Class Gift Committee.

But organizers of the program are looking to expand its recognition this summer, Powell said, and will possibly set up a competition between the alumni of different graduating classes.

"It seems like alumni are very interested in how their class ranks," she said.

But expansion of the program will not be due to donors receiving large gifts from the University. Donors receive a gold and blue window decal for their continual donations rather than receiving a plaque, Andryszak said.

"The No. 1 benefit is your knowledge of your Penn State loyalty," she said.

Ryerson agrees that donors do not make their donations to be recognized by the University.

"You mostly (donate) because you care about it and you want to do it," he said. "You know it is the right thing to do."

By contributing to the Golden Lion Society, members are giving to the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence, Andryszak said, which donates to causes and projects that are not paid for by the state or by tuition money.