Penn State Class of 2017 reveals unique gift to future students

UNIVERSITY PARK - Penn State's Class of 2017 unveiled its class gift to the university on Wednesday.

Instead of donating a physical object of statue, this year’s senior class will provide annual funding for Lion Pantry program on campus.

The Lion Pantry provides help to hungry students. Leaders of the program said with the rising cost of tuition, it’s something essential to have in place for those who really need help.

"They're so focused on ‘where am I going to get my food,’ that, the second question is – ‘How am I going to keep up in school?’ It's a shame because some of these students, the reason they're in college is to escape the circumstances that they came from. So, we don't want the thing that is the reason they came to college to be the reason they have to drop out," said Jaden Rankin-Wahlers, co-president of the Lion Pantry.

Leaders of the Lion Pantry said poverty and hunger are very real issues some students at Penn State face every day.

"We serve students both undergrad and grads. We see law school students. We see different students here at the university who come and use us."

According to new study by The College Board, Pennsylvania public universities cost 44 percent more in tuition on average than the rest of the nation. In fact, Pennsylvania is the third most expensive state for four year institutions.

Penn State University’s president, Dr. Eric Barron, says he is proud that this year’s gift will help change the lives of future Penn State students.

"Students won't go to bed hungry. They won't wake up wondering if they will have a meal for the day. They won't take on extra work just to provide food for them to eat," said Dr. Eric Barron.

Members of the gift campaign said that is exactly why they chose to donate.

"It provides a calm mind for students - freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors. It's to let them know we are here for them,” said Nikky Samuel, Director of Student Outreach for the 2017 Class Gift Campaign.

Those at Lion Pantry said this gift goes beyond dollar signs. It is also about fighting a stigma.

“We’re telling students that it’s okay to ask for help, that they shouldn’t feel embarrassed about anything,” said Rankin-Wahlers.

Seniors are already starting to collect donations from other students, alumni, and the public. If you’d like to donate, you can visit their website: http://giveto.psu.edu/.

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