Faith funds

Donation of $5 million will help chapel

More funds have been secured for the expansion of Eisenhower Chapel.

Phil Bolda, director of Development for University Programs, confirmed that a gift of $5 million has been secured to fund chapel expansion. Furthermore, it's possible another $1 million donation could be secured soon, he said.

At a meeting yesterday in the chapel, Penn State football coach Joe Paterno said a well-known Pennsylvanian has committed millions of dollars to the chapel expansion project. Bolda, who was also at the meeting, confirmed those statements, saying formal announcements identifying the $5 million dollar donor will come at the end of this month.

"We're just allowing the family to time the announcement," Bolda said.

In January, the Paternos announced they would donate $3.5 million dollars to fund numerous faculty positions, scholarships and building projects at the University. The couple directed $1 million to fund a new interfaith spiritual center that will come as an addition to Eisenhower Chapel. The Paternos have previously donated money toward the current expansion of Pattee.

Those at the meeting thanked the Paternos and discussed plans for the chapel expansion.

An additional $1 million from another donor is possible, Bolda said.

"There's another million dollar gift in the wings as well, but that's not as definite as the other gift," he said.

Combined, the three gifts put the chapel well on its way toward the proposed $8 million to $10 million expansion mentioned in January. The expansion will be funded solely by private donations.

At the meeting yesterday, coach Paterno said he would like to see the expanded chapel be part of an invigorated spiritual and cultural center on the north side of campus. He urged those at the meeting to include the input of students as expansion plans unfold.

"There's no sense building a building if it doesn't serve the students," Paterno said. "The more students you get involved, the more they'll go back to their dorms and back to their apartments and say, 'Gee, this is great.' "

Kenneth Clarke, director of the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs, said expansion plans will attempt to balance "green space" with the needs of the growing chapel.

Clarke, like everyone at the meeting, applauded the Paternos' generosity. But it was coach Paterno who got in the final words of praise.

"You people do such a marvelous job," he said to those assembled. "And you get so little acknowledgment for the lives you affect. We want to thank you."