UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State men’s basketball coach Patrick Chambers will headline a special benefit and exhibition for the newly established Penn State Student Emergency Fund on Sunday, April 15 at the Rosenfeld Gallery (113 Arch Street) in Philadelphia. The benefit will serve as the launch of the "Hand in Hand" commemorative art project, which will support the Fund through the sale of a limited edition tapestry based on the artwork of noted Penn State graphic design professor Lanny Sommese.
"I am proud to be part of this team of alums, faculty and University administration supporting what is believed to be the first student micro loan program of its kind in the country," Chambers said. "This fund has been established at a critical time and it is truly a team effort that is coming to the support of students whose conventional financial aid options are limited."
The April 15 event at the Rosenfeld Gallery, organized by Penn State class of 1973 alumni Tom Sharbaugh and Steph Rosenfeld, will begin at 4 p.m. and will feature several notable Pennsylvania sports figures, media members including Mike Missanelli (class of ’77), educational and community leaders. The benefit will feature an exclusive showing and sale of the tapestry ($300 including tax) will also highlight the work of Pennsylvania’s legendary Langhorne Carpet Mill, the official weaver of the project, and Professor Sommese, noted for his many iconic Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts posters. The tapestry can also be ordered at LANGHORNECARPETS.
The Penn State Student Emergency Fund was founded last year by Sharbaugh and has raised more than $200,000 to date. Developed to aid undergraduate Penn State students facing unexpected financial hardship that jeopardizes their continued enrollment, the alumni-created micro fund is supported almost entirely by small donations from around the country and provides emergency loans ranging from $1500 to $2500. To contribute to the fund, please visit MICROFINANCEMATCH.
"Coach Chambers is a great asset on many levels," Sharbaugh said. "As one of 12 children, he instantly related to the pressures families face when it comes to being able to pay for college education, even at a state-affiliated college. We can’t do much about the costs of higher education, but we can and are helping students stay in school through graduation."
For further information on the benefit or the fund please contact Tom Sharbaugh (215-963-5004) or Steph Rosenfeld (215-569-4343).
