LOCK HAVEN -- Officials at Lock Haven University call this one of the largest donations made by a single donor in Pennsylvania State System history.
Stephen and Pamela Poorman committed to giving the university $7.1 million. Most of the money will go to the college of business, but Poorman says students in other majors will benefit too.
Stephen Poorman is a business owner who regularly gives lectures at Lock Haven University. Recently he and his wife Pamela decided to make a large donation to the school, $7.1 million!
"One thing led to another and I thought, perhaps the university could expand into some more business courses and programs," Stephan Poorman said.
As part of the donation, the college of business will now be called, "The Stephen Poorman College of Business." Lock Haven Unversity will now have a finance lab where students will buy and sell stock with real money. The dean of the college of business says the donation will help students for a long time.
"Enrich the experience that the students have in terms of the connection between the faculty. Possibly getting more people in the community from different majors coming in and speaking to our students," Stephen Neun said.
Many students agree.
"I think it's going to be really great for the university for them to create other programs and really allow students to have applied learning," Kayla Gronkowski said.
"The donation that's putting into the cultural residents program, which will bring residents into the program will motivate the students a little more and give them outside experience so we can be prepared for the real world," Keri Cave said.
"You will get the more attention that you need and you'll be more prepared to go into the outside world," Briana Stroman said.
Neither of the Poormans attended Lock Haven University, but they love the school and they love the city. They said that's one of the reasons why they gave the donation.
"Lock Haven is a great city and it's my hometown," Poorman said.
Even though the donation focuses on business courses, Poorman believes the money will also help students in other majors.
"Everyone should know how to negotiate," Poorman said.
The Poormans gave Lock Haven University $1 million up front and the rest of the money will be given to the university at a later time.
