Smeal MBA Students Raise Five Times Hurricane Relief Goal

MBA Association raises more than $5,000 for Red Cross Katrina relief efforts

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA (October 18, 2005) – The MBA Association at Penn State's Smeal College of Business plans to submit a check earmarked for Hurricane Katrina relief to the Centre Communities Chapter of the American Red Cross for $5,184.08—more than five times their original fund-raising goal of $1,000.

After watching media coverage of the devastation on the Gulf Coast, a small group of Smeal MBA students organized a last-minute fund-raiser around Penn State’s opening football game on September 3. Knowing that their regular MBA Association tailgate would bring the MBA community together, they set a goal of $1,000 for what they anticipated would be a one-time event—"Tailgate for Katrina." At the time, they didn't even have a charity picked out.

They reached their goal quickly and decided to host another benefit at the next Penn State football game. MBA students Sarah Trexler and Harry Chang created a Tailgate for Katrina T-shirt, which the students sold at the next tailgate gathering and in Smeal’s Business Building for a suggested donation of $15. Football fans, together with Smeal students, faculty and staff, purchased more than 100 T-shirts.

Tim Erickson, a second-year MBA student and one of the leaders of the fund-raising efforts, believes their success is attributable to the mindset of his fellow classmates. "We're a business school, but we're not just bottom-line thinkers—we strive to have a broader impact," he says. "When someone takes the initiative to help, everyone jumps on board—students, staff, faculty, and alumni."

The students received dozens of donations from individual alumni across the country and a matching gift of $1,500 from the Smeal Alumni Society Board.

"When we heard about the Katrina relief effort, there was unanimous agreement to participate," says Glenn Moyer, a member of the Smeal Alumni Society Board. "Most board members had already made donations through various other organizations, but everyone on the board was thankful for another opportunity to help."

Smeal MBA students voted in mid-September to give the money to the American Red Cross. They will present the check when they have received all of the pledged funds.

Although the fund-raising has essentially wrapped up, the group is open to accept additional donations to add to these efforts.  Erickson says they're also open to partnering with other groups that want to continue to help in the coming months.