UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State’s College of Education has received two alumni gifts totaling $300,000 for scholarships and program initiatives.
The L. Jean Spagnolo Scholarship, to be endowed at $150,000, will assist undergraduates enrolled in any major in the college who have financial need and show academic promise.
Income from the Joan and David Cotterill Dean’s Excellence Fund, also endowed at $150,000, will be directed by the dean to programs that show exceptional promise and potential, including but not limited to faculty research, graduate students, institutes and centers within the college, collaborative efforts with other academic units, and special programs.
“These two wonderful gifts reflect the loyalty that our graduates show toward the College of Education, and are tremendous votes of confidence in our students and faculty,” said Dean David Monk. “They also have tremendous inspirational value.”
The college has approximately 47,000 living alumni.
L. Jean Spagnolo, of New Bern, N.C., made her commitment to endow the scholarship as part of her estate plans. She graduated from Penn State in 1953 with a degree in education and spent her career in the New York state schools, teaching English and French before becoming a guidance counselor and ultimately an administrator. She retired as principal of Centereach (N.Y.) High School.
Joan and David Cotterill are members of Penn State’s class of 1960, having received bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and psychology, respectively. Joan is a retired teacher, and David retired as executive vice president of Wachovia Corp., one of the nation’s largest financial services companies. The Cotterills have lived in Winston-Salem, N.C., since 1964.
