How the Kresge Science Endowment began
In December 2002, the Shippensburg University Foundation on behalf of the University embarked on a Kresge Foundation challenge grant campaign which culminated in June 2004 with $1,134,049 in cash and planned gift commitments toward establishment of the first-ever science equipment endowment to benefit students and faculty. Such strong charitable support from alumni, current and retired faculty, parents, corporations, and other private foundations successfully secured the second-half of the Kresge Foundation’s challenge grant toward this science endowment.

Continued Sustaining Support Still Needed 
When Franklin Science Center opened in the early 1970s, all new equipment was in place for students to use. Back then, about 80% of Shippensburg University’s operating budget came from the state of Pennsylvania. State funding began a dramatic decline in the 1980s through 1990s, with no end in sight for further drop. Today, only 38% of the Shippensburg University’s operating budget comes from state appropriations. Students end up bearing more and more of the direct costs, even equipment use costs.

Established in 2004, the Kresge Science Endowment became a way to fill the gap between state appropriations and the ever-increasing costs of maintaining, repairing or upgrading, and replacing scientific equipment and instrumentation.  Unlike many other similar institutions, the equipment supported by the Kresge Science Endowment at Shippensburg University is available to both general education students and students majoring in the sciences of Biology, Chemistry, Geography/Earth Science, Physics, and Psychology at no additional cost to them.  However, the need continues to grow as state dollars continue to decline and associated costs for equipment maintenance continue to rise.   
 
Building the Kresge Science Endowment 
The Kresge Science Endowment has become a vital part of the academic success of students at Shippensburg University. Without this endowment, there would be few financial resources available for the maintaining, repairing or upgrading, and replacing critical science equipment and instrumentation needed to provide students with the necessary skills they will require to become successful in their chosen profession. 
Firsthand equipment experience is essential for science majors as well as all students through the general education coursework. This hands-on experience helps “Ship” students get into grad schools, or health related professional schools, or careers in teaching, or science-related research in industries and the tech world. Gifts to build the Kresge Science Endowment benefit us all by preparing students as future doctors, medical technicians, engineers, psychologists, and environmental planners, to name a few.  If you are considering a gift to help build this vital endowment, please feel free to contact the SU Foundation at 717-477-1377.

Grants awarded 
Once the cash principal within the Kresge Science Endowment had at least a year of investment returns, grant awards began. Here are department grant recipients from the last few years:
     2008-09: Physics & Biology
     2007-08: Geography/Earth Science & Chemistry
     2006-07: Psychology & Biology

Honoring your favorite professor, or someone else   For every $1,000 gift or commitment to the Kresge Science Endowment, a favorite professor or another individual can be honored.  Details about how to name a gift in honor of someone is available through the Shippensburg University Foundation office, 717-477-1377. A form can be mailed or faxed to you. If you have already made a gift to this fund, we thank you for your generosity and ask you to consider continuing to give to this ongoing need.

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