PSU NYC Annual Appeal

Each year, the New York City Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association provides scholarships to incoming freshman from the five NYC boroughs and Westchester County through the Michael D. Ferugio Scholarship Fund. In 2019, the Chapter awarded a record total of $9,000 to three deserving students – one of whom is Patrick Baumann, a freshman at Penn State University Park pursuing an intended major in meteorology. While Patrick never had the opportunity to meet Michael, the namesake of our Chapter scholarship, their lives will be connected eternally…

Patrick was born on September 8, 2001. Three short days later, Michael – a fellow alum and true embodiment of a proud Penn Stater – tragically lost his life on September 11, only five blocks away from Patrick’s home in Battery Park. Patrick was one of the lucky ones that day, but his life would be impacted forever. Seven years later, he learned he had developed a rare cancer as a result of 9/11 dust and debris exposure. Patrick fought the cancer that spread through his body with humility and perseverance, two key traits that Michael lived by, and today, Patrick is thankfully cancer free.

Growing up a proud New Yorker, he was determined to tell the story of the heroes and lives lost on that fateful day, spending his teens serving as a Senior Ambassador Volunteer at the 9/11 Museum. He frequents the Memorial when he returns home to Manhattan and has recognized Michael’s name listed on the South Tower reflecting pool. In a place as somber and devastating as Ground Zero, there is a story of hope and healing that comes full circle between two Nittany Lions who never met. As a Michael D. Ferugio Scholarship recipient, Patrick continues to carry on Michael’s memory and proudly represents everything Michael stood for – philanthropy, humility, and ambition – true Success with Honor.

The average cost of attendance for an out-of-state freshman at Penn State University Park is $51,490 per year and rising. The Michael D. Ferugio Scholarship Fund was created as a way to honor Michael’s legacy while also providing financial assistance to incoming freshmen, and our success to date would not be possible without the kindness and generosity of people like YOU.

I ask that you consider a gift of your most generous ability today; however, no gift is too small or too large. All gifts are 100% tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. As a volunteer-run, 501(c) organization, there is zero overhead involved with your gift. Every cent of your donation is used to fund the aspirations of new Penn Staters as they embark on their journey. Though Michael is no longer with us, we look forward to continuing to celebrate his life by helping others achieve their Penn State dreams – just how he would have wanted.

For the Glory, 

Linde Miles ‘09

President - NYC Chapter, Penn State Alumni Association
 

P.S. If you aren’t already, I hope you consider becoming a member of the NYC Chapter today. Annual membership is just $25, which supports Chapter activities including networking events, club sports teams, and football game watches. To find out more, please visit www.psunyc.org.