With the conclusion of the Grand Destiny capital campaign, Penn State is starting a new committee to raise private funds.

The National Council on Penn State Philanthropy is being set up with volunteers to help University President Graham Spanier and other administrative leaders with fundraising efforts.

Michael Bezilla, director of development communications and special projects, said the project is designed to involve alumni and friends of Penn State in leadership positions for fundraising campaigns.

"They are going to come up with dollar goals and ways to reach those goals," Bezilla said.

Rod Kirsch, vice president for development and alumni relations, said the goal is to have 40 to 50 people on the committee, many of whom are past volunteers and donors for Penn State fundraising. So far, there are 33 members.

Committee members will be located throughout the country, although many will be in the Northeast, where most alumni reside.

Arthur Nagle, a 1961 graduate, has been appointed as chairman of the committee.

Kirsch said the university sought Nagle based on his past dedication to fundraising.

"Art has been involved in Penn State fundraising for close to 20 years," Kirsch said. "He made more personal visits than any other volunteer during the Grand Destiny campaign."

Bezilla said the committee has set up five goals to work on, but only one has been planned and started.

"The National Council is still being established and details need to be worked out before we can go forward with plans for the remaining four goals," Bezilla said.

The current effort is the Trustees Scholarship Program. It began in July 2002 and is looking to raise $100 million in five years, he said.

Trustee scholarships are need-based for undergraduates.

David Lieb, executive director of university development, said $5 million has been raised in the past year.

"It will take some work, but I'm confident that we can accomplish the goal," Lieb said. "We are anticipating a seven- or eight-figure gift in about four years."

When the committee's members are finalized, it will look at a program in which it works with colleges, such as the Smeal College of Business Administration, and identify places that would become areas of academic excellence through added funds.

The National Council is also looking to increase faculty endowments through professorships and chairs, Bezilla said.

"These help with recruiting and retaining world-class teachers at Penn State," he said.

Other fundraising plans will be focused on the Hershey Medical Center and intercollegiate athletics, Bezilla said.