David and Ann Hawk honored as Penn State's Fundraising Volunteers of the Year The University has recognized David and Ann Hawk, alumni and leaders of For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students, as its 2013 Fundraising Volunteers of the Year.
The award, which was officially presented to the Hawks on Sept. 20 for their service to Penn State Worthington Scranton and the University, honors the leadership of alumni and friends in securing philanthropic support for Penn State.
"The For the Future campaign is about ensuring a bright future for Penn State students, now and for years to come, and the outstanding leadership of David and Ann Hawk has gone far in realizing this vision for our campus," said Penn State Worthington Scranton Chancellor Mary-Beth Krogh-Jespersen. "As the campaign enters its final year, we owe our excellent progress to the inspiring commitment of people like David and Ann. Their outstanding service and philanthropy exemplify what makes Penn State alumni so special."
David earned an associate's degree in business administration from Penn State in 1971, and Ann earned her bachelor's degree in individual and family studies in 1972.
David and Ann met as students at Penn State Worthington Scranton and have been strong supporters of the campus ever since. In 2010, the couple made a significant gift to the campus to create the David and Ann Hawk Student Success Center, which now serves as a hub for student services. They also fund a number of scholarships and awards through the family's company, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates.
"David and Ann Hawk have been tremendous allies to Penn State, giving generously of their time, talents, and resources to advance the Worthington-Scranton campus' efforts in the For the Future campaign," said campaign chair Peter Tombros. "This remarkable couple has shown an outstanding level of commitment to their alma mater, and we honor them for their willingness to invest so much in Penn State."
David is the owner of Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, and Ann is a certified Rosen Method Bodywork practitioner with an office in Dunmore. The Hawks have served on the Penn State Worthington Scranton Advisory Board and are currently the chairs of the campus' For the Future campaign committee.
Under their leadership, Penn State Worthington Scranton became the first campus to reach its campaign goal — almost three years ahead of schedule.
"I owe a great debt to this University," said Ann. "In 1969, I arrived at Penn State with so many hopes and dreams, and Penn State has been a gateway to a wonderful life for me. David and I met at the Scranton campus, and we both hold degrees from Penn State. The campaign has given us an excellent opportunity to give back, and we're so grateful to be able to do that."
"The For the Future campaign has allowed us to plant seeds at Penn State Worthington Scranton that will continue to mature and grow for generations to come," said David. "This campaign has done tremendous good not only for the University as a whole, but also for our little campus — because of the nurturing it has provided."
The Hawks' philanthropy and service have contributed significantly to the For the Future campaign, which is directed toward a shared vision of Penn State as the most comprehensive, student-centered research university in America. The University is engaging Penn State's alumni and friends as partners in achieving six key objectives: ensuring student access and opportunity, enhancing honors education, enriching the student experience, building faculty strength and capacity, fostering discovery and creativity, and sustaining the University's tradition of quality.
The campaign's top priority is keeping a Penn State degree affordable for students and families. The For the Future campaign is the most ambitious effort of its kind in Penn State's history, with the goal of securing $2 billion by 2014.
