May 31, 2007
Alumnus Endows Lecture Series

Alumnus Ben Bronstein, a longtime supporter of the University, has made his latest gift to Penn State—and he considers it his signature contribution to his alma mater.

A former public relations director at the Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Bronstein has endowed the Ben Bronstein Ethics and Communications Lecture. The gift allows him to support special events in both the College of Communications and the College of Medicine.
According to its guidelines, the annual lecture will alternate each year between the colleges as its host site.

“I always considered myself an ethical public relations person,” said Bronstein, who graduated from Penn State in 1961 with a degree in journalism. “Something like this has been in the back of my mind for a while, and it’s something in the colleges that should benefit students.”

In the College of Communications, the gift marks another pertinent contribution to programming in an academic unit that consistently stresses the importance of doing the right thing. Each year, the College plays host to the Oweida Lecture in Journalism Ethics as well as the Davis Symposium in Advertising Ethics. In 2005, the Don Davis Professor of Ethics was endowed.
As a regular attendee at events and lectures in the College, Bronstein appreciates the quality of programming provided by the College.

“The sessions and speakers in the College are always top-rate,” Bronstein said.

The gift also comes with some personal motivation for Bronstein. With the endowment, his lifetime giving qualifies for the Mt. Nittany Society level. Bronstein formerly served as president of the Mt. Nittany Conservancy.

In addition, he has been honored as the recipient of Lion’s Paw Medal. The Medal honors persons who have contributed notable service to Penn State, especially by fostering the University’s worthwhile traditions or student life.

Contact information:
Steve Sampsell
Coordinator of College Relations
Phone: (814) 865-8801
Email:sws102@psu.edu