Service and philanthropy to Penn State has the capacity to reach all students where they have their greatest needs, while also impacting the world.”
— Iris Beckwith
From serving as the undergraduate assistant to the University president during his senior year to now lead University fundraising volunteer, Ed Beckwith’s service to Penn State has been a lifelong endeavor.
“I came and never left,” said Ed, ’71 Sci. “Next to my family, Penn State is the center of my emotional universe.”
Another defining moment came during Ed’s senior year, when he met Iris Beckwith, his wife of now 48 years.
Iris’ lifelong commitment to the welfare and safety of children, coupled with Ed’s infectious passion for Penn State, laid the foundation for the couple’s deep commitment to the mission of the University and the success of its students.
“A successful future for the Commonwealth, the nation, and the planet is all based on the pursuit and peaceful application of knowledge and truth,” Ed said. “There is no better way to invest in that future than to support an institution of higher learning like Penn State.”
Ed became involved with Penn State fundraising during the University’s first fundraising campaign, the Campaign for Penn State. Since then, he has served on the executive committees for the Grand Destiny (1996-2003) and the For the Future (2007-2014) campaigns.
Ed currently serves as the vice chair of the Board of Advisors for Penn State Law, is a member of the Penn State Law Development Council, and is the founder and past chair of the University’s Gift Planning Advisory Council.
Iris was named an honorary alumna in 2021 and currently holds a leadership position as co-chair of the Student Affairs/Undergraduate Education Development Board (SAUE). She has also served on its two predecessor committees. The work of SAUE is particularly compelling to Iris because the funds raised reach nearly every student, even when they are not aware of the impact.
“There is not enough time to share all that we have witnessed in our years as volunteers or all of the importance and impact we have seen,” Iris said.
One project that has been of particular interest to both Ed and Iris has been the evolution of the Child Maltreatment and Solutions Network since its beginning at Penn State. For 10 years, Iris worked for Childhelp and trained and taught child abuse and child sexual abuse prevention education to schools throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, DC, and West Virginia. Through her work, Iris has become passionate that curriculum-based abuse prevention education for young children, educators, and parents critical to interrupting the cycle of child abuse.
“No matter your passion, it can be amplified by something that is happening right now on a Penn State campus, in a laboratory, a library, a classroom, or student engagement,” said Iris. “Service and philanthropy to Penn State has the capacity to reach all students where they have their greatest needs, while also impacting the world.”
Regardless of committee affiliation, both Ed and Iris see their duties and responsibilities as a University fundraising volunteer leader to be threefold: (i) to help build, lead, and enthuse a committee of volunteers; (ii) to serve as a sounding board and sometimes as an outside mentor to development staff who work with the committee; (iii) to promote the University, its values, traditions, and future; and (iv) to contribute to the campaign funding goals.
In reminiscing about their decades as Penn State volunteers, Ed said, “It is a combination of years of hearing from and meeting scholarship recipients and learning about what our giving has provided to them in terms of both academics and personal/professional growth. It is getting to know other donors and understanding their philanthropic motivations and understanding that we each give our time, talents, and philanthropy to the best of our abilities. And, it is the shared experiences we have been privileged to be a part of, that have expanded our friendships throughout the University and community.”
And it is the people – the volunteers, staff, and senior leadership of the University – that Ed and Iris have valued getting to know and work alongside.
“Some have provided counsel and encouragement,” said Iris. “Some have cheered us on. Most have been an important and indelible influence along our own philanthropic journey. All have shared a passion for Penn State. While all have become good friends, some have truly become family. It has often been long hours and hard work, but it has always been a joy, an honor, and immensely rewarding. While written so many years ago, the words of the Alma Mater resonate so clearly with us now, ‘For the Glory, For the Future.’”
Inspired by the Beckwith’s dedication and service?
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Jennie Noll’s work as Director of the Child Maltreatment Solutions Network in the College of Health & Human Development