Pittsburgh couple gives $3 million to Penn State for Science, Business - State College, PA - Brief Article

Black Issues in Higher Education, Nov 8, 2001

STATE COLLEGE, PA.

A Pittsburgh couple has donated $3 million to create endowed faculty chairs at Penn State University in the Eberly College of Science and the Smeal College of Business Administration.

Ronald R. Davenport, who earned his undergraduate degree in business from Penn State, is chairman and CEO of Sheridan Broadcasting Corp. Judith Loftin Davenport graduated with a medical technology degree from Penn State and is a dentist and cofounder and director of the broadcasting group.

"Ron and Judith's gift is noteworthy for several reasons, including the impact it will have in two distinctive areas within the university and the fact that it is the largest gift ever made by a minority couple or individual in the history of Penn State," says university President Graham B. Spanier.

Sheridan Broadcasting owns a radio network with more than 300 affiliates in 39 states and is the nation's largest Black-owned communications network.

"Penn State made it possible for me and my wife to do the things we are able to do," says Ronald Davenport. "I want to encourage the development of scholarship, and to attract and reward the highest quality faculty. And I think it is important to show that people in our position have a responsibility to give."