Geographers seek to connect, sustain, and enhance communities and landscapes around the world. At Penn State, they succeed with support from alumni and friends. Join a more than 60-year-old tradition and make a gift to fuel the work of our scholars. Geographers are driven to make this world better. You can help them to do it.
If you would like to make a gift:
• Make your gift online, or
• Send a check, payable to Penn State, to:
EMS Development Offïce
116 Deike Building
University Park PA 16802
Please identify the fund (by 5-letter code) to which you wish to contribute.
If you are interested in giving to a particular area within our department, or are looking for more information about how you can support Penn State geographers, please contact the EMS Development Office at 814-863-2289 or development@ems.psu.edu.
Funding to endow the following awards was donated from the estate of Ruby S. Miller, former Penn State maps librarian and wife of the late E. Willard Miller, founder of the Department of Geography at Penn State.
E. Willard Miller Award (WCMME) to encourage accomplished written, graphic and/or analytical expression by students as part of their degree program in geography. How to apply
E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Lectureship in Geography, known as The Miller Lecture (XCMMV) to support lectures by outstanding scholars and professionals in the field of geography who are not current Penn State faculty members or students.
E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Distinguished Graduate Fellowship in Geography (FCMMR) to provide support for academic excellence for graduate students. This fellowship shall recruit and recognize outstanding first-year doctoral students who exhibit academic excellence and who plan to enroll in Penn State as a candidate for a graduate degree in the College of EMS.
E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Geography Graduate Student Fund (XCMMY) to encourage graduate study in the department by providing fellowships to outstanding graduate students.
E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Professorship in Geography (WCMMV) to recognize a gifted faculty member of the Department of Geography who has excelled in teaching and in research and who has the potential to make truly outstanding contributions in the area of his or her special competence. The three-year professorship shall supplement departmental support for oustanding University faculty to provide a holder of the professorship with the resources necessary to continue and further the scholar's contributions to teaching, research and public service.
Ruby S. and E. Willard Miller Professorship in Geography (WCMMW) to recognize a gifted faculty member of the Department of Geography who has excelled in teaching and in research and who has the potential to make truly outstanding contributions in the area of his or her special competence. The three-year professorship shall supplement departmental support for oustanding University faculty to provide a holder of the professorship with the resources necessary to continue and further the scholar's contributions to teaching, research and public service.
The Ruby S. Miller Endowment for Geographic Excellence (FCMMW) to maintain and improve the quality of the graduate program. Priority is given to providing financial assistance to graduate students.
Balmat Family Scholarship in Geography Endowment (SCMBB) provides recognition and financial assistance to outstanding sophomores, juniors or seniors in the Department of Geography. It is the result of a generous contribution by Bruce M. and Ruth Kohut Balmat in 2002.
Balmat Honors Scholars Fund (XCMBD) provides monies to the honors program within the geography department for group activities, as well as funds to support individual research/experiences of Schreyer Scholars in geography. It is a generous contribution by Bruce M. and Ruth Kohut Balmat started in 2007.
Jeff Gockley Memorial Award (XCMGJ) supports an undergraduate student in the area of geographic information science. The award was established in 2005 to honor the memory of alumnus Jeff Gockley ('97). It is awarded to top graduating senior(s) in the GIS option.
Dr. G. D. Richardson and Kathy LaSauce Scholarship in Geography Endowment (SCMRG) provides recognition and financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the department.
Ronald F. Abler Award in Geography Endowment (XCMAB) recognizes academic achievement by outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in presenting the results of their research at a scholarly geographical society meeting.
Robert P. and Rebecca Brooks Endowment for the Cooperative Wetlands Center (XCMBE) provides funds to promote and support the mission of Riparia (formerly known as the Cooperative Wetlands Center) to support field study, faculty and graduate student activities and other activities.
William and Mary Easterling Outstanding Graduate Research Assistant Award in the Department of Geography (FCMEW) is given to an outstanding graduate research assistant in the Department of Geography.
Erickson Fund in Geography Endowment (XCMER) provides recognition and financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the department. Money for the Erickson Fund in Geography was donated by former geography faculty member and University Provost Rodney A. Erickson and his wife, Sharon L. Erickson. The fund was started in 2000.
Peter R. Gould Memorial Fund in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Endowment (XCMGG) supports the Peter R. Gould Center for Geography Education and Outreach.
C. Gregory Knight Endowment in Geography (XCMKC) provides monies for research, faculty and student scholarly travel, equipment and lectureships. The funds were donated by professor C. Gregory Knight.
Frederick L. Wernstedt Geography Enhancement Fund (XCMWE) provides discretionary monies for educational purposes such as travel, research, equipment, and library materials.
Coffee Hour to Go (XCMCH) enables off-campus students in the Department of Geography's distance education programs and geography alumni to participate in Coffee Hour presentations through interactive Internet communications technologies.
Department of Geography Enrichment Fund Endowment (XCMEH) promotes and supports activities of the department including awards to recognize graduate assistants for their outstanding performance as research assistants and staff for their outstanding work. The fund was established in 2006.
Geography Alumni Scholars Award Endowment (SCMGS) honors and recognizes undergraduate and graduate students who have outstanding achievements.
Geography Student Scholarship Award (SCMGY) supports deserving undergraduate students enrolled in the department.
We Are Geography Fund in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (XCMGY) for attracting top talent and supporting cross-disciplinary research and emerging programs.
