With his record-setting commitment to Penn State Abington, Stephen Taub supports a vision for a world where students from all socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds have the opportunity to excel.
Stephen Taub, a former Penn State Abington student and University Park graduate, has continued his longtime support for Abington with a $17.3 million commitment, the largest gift in the campus’ history. The new Taub Endowments will provide high-impact opportunities for deserving students through scholarships and global engagement programs focused on leadership, innovation and multiculturalism within education, commerce and government.
“Steve’s generosity ensures that future talented Abington students will be able to afford a Penn State degree in a campus committed to experiential learning, global engagement, intercultural understanding, and ethical leadership in action — values that Steve embodies,” Abington Chancellor Damian J. Fernandez said. “This gift could not come at a more important time in our history. With the largest incoming class of first year students, 50 percent of whom are students of color and 25 percent international, this gift positions Abington as a regional leader when it comes to intercultural student experiences and globalization.”
The newly created Taub Endowments build on a legacy of commitment to Abington. Taub has made in excess of $1.5 million in gifts to the campus over the years, as well as a $3 million bequest in 2010, also for scholarships and intercultural leadership programs. This brings his total commitment to more than $22 million, a testament to Taub’s appreciation of the impact of an Abington education and the important role Abington played in his life and career.
“Giving to Penn State Abington is a meaningful investment in the skills and knowledge students need to make positive impacts for the mutual benefit of everyone they come in contact with throughout their careers,” Taub said. “Understanding diversity among people and societies nationally and globally based upon these learned skills and acquired knowledge are essential for long-term harmony and prosperity for the country and the world.”
Taub was a longtime president and chief executive officer of the world’s largest natural licorice products manufacturer. His 38-year career managed operations in the United States, Europe, Middle East/Central Asia, and China for a firm that produced flavors and active ingredients for food, confectionary, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, personal care, and tobacco products. Taub’s regular visits to more than 90 countries uniquely established him as a well-respected and successful global industrialist and leader.
“This landmark commitment from Steve will create extraordinary academic and engagement opportunities for students with financial need,” Penn State President Eric J. Barron said. “It will help these students earn a Penn State degree, while also taking their learning abroad, to experience other cultures, and to become citizens of the world. These experiences are transformative and crucial for preparing to work in a global marketplace. Penn State students, present and future, are fortunate to have a friend and fellow Penn Stater as generous and forward-looking as Steve.”
The funds will transform the undergraduate experience and support Abington’s vision for a world where students from all socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds have the opportunity not only to learn but also to excel.