Since his time as a Penn State student, Joe Lurquin, ‘68a ‘71 Eng, has dreamed of giving back to the University he holds dear. While obtaining his associate degree from Penn State Abington, bachelor’s from University Park, and attending graduate courses at Great Valley, Joe fostered strong ties to his academic home.
As he fondly recounts, Joe and his high school sweetheart, Jo Anne, would chat between classes about their goals of philanthropy.
“Jo and I would often meet for lunch in the Hammond Building lounge overlooking College Avenue when I was studying electrical engineering at University Park,” Joe said. “We agreed that when we were financially able, we would give back to the University, so others could have the same opportunity to study and learn in amazing facilities.”
Through hard work and a shared passion for Penn State, the Lurquins were able to make their dream a reality.
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After graduation, Joe pursued a forty-three-year career as a design engineer and director of Engineering Development with Engineered Arresting Systems in Delaware. Despite his distance from Abington and Happy Valley, his love for his University did not dwindle. Joe remained connected with his alma mater by quickly becoming a lifetime member of the Penn State Alumni Association. Over the years, he and his wife kept in consistent contact with their blue and white community through the relationships they built and philanthropic support.
“Our interest in the University continued through friendships we made, as well as through contributions to the College of Engineering,” said Joe. “With our interest in Penn State Athletics, we made contributions to the Nittany Lion Club, and we were able to enjoy Penn State football in person for many years at Beaver Stadium and several bowl games.”
Once Joe retired, he began looking for a new challenge to tackle, as well as an avenue to channel his appreciation for Penn State. He discovered an opportunity to become involved as a fundraising volunteer and jumped in with enthusiasm.
Joe currently serves on the Penn State Abington Advisory Board, Executive Committee, and just completed his term as chair for the Abington Greater Penn State campaign. In addition to supporting Abington students, he became a member of the Multidisciplinary Engineering Industrial and Professional Advisory Council board to expand degree opportunities in engineering for students at Penn State Abington and Penn State Brandywine.
“I consider my volunteerism a passion project in retirement,” Joe said.
In addition to giving time, the Lurquins have also remained active as donors to their beloved campuses, primarily to the engineering program at Abington. In 2021, the Lurquins signed a five-year pledge to establish the Penn State Abington Engineering Excellence Fund. In recognition of the Lurquins’ significant commitment, the recently renovated engineering lab in the Woodland Building was named the Joseph W. and Jo Anne Lurquin Engineering Lab. The couple also established the Joseph and Jo Anne Lurquin Educational Equity Scholarship, and the Joseph and Jo Anne Lurquin Open Doors Scholarship at Penn State Abington.
“We both feel that Penn State provided wonderful opportunities for us and many friendships and contacts too,” Joe said. “Through our volunteerism, annual giving, and two scholarship endowments, we are happy to help today’s students, who are tomorrow’s leaders, have the same opportunities we had.”
“But we also want to leave a lasting gift to Penn State, which is why we have included the University in our estate plans. We are indeed Penn State proud.”
Inspired by Joe’s service?
Give to the Engineering Excellence Fund for Penn State Abington.