Penn State is Allen's alma mater, but Judi has also adopted the beloved University as her second home. Their loyalty has led them to become dedicated supporters-and they love watching their gifts come to life.
"We both know the importance of getting an education," Allen says. Beyond obtaining a degree in accounting that launched him into a 41-year career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Allen's four years at Penn State helped prepare him for his career. Judi's master's and bachelor's degrees led her to a long career in human resources and her current business, ProLawInsurance.
In the 1980s, Allen and Judi made their first gifts to Penn State by setting up a scholarship in what was then the College of Business Administration. Each year, they receive a letter from a grateful recipient, which makes the connection real.
Recently, the Weltmanns have discovered a new passion-the University Libraries, where they have endowed books on ethics in the business section. "The Libraries are truly the heart and soul of any university," explains Allen, who currently serves on the Libraries Campaign Committee.
Excited by the new and transformational Knowledge Commons in the Libraries, which will bring multiple services and resources together in a warm and inviting environment, the Weltmanns have worked creatively to name a space within the new student-centered area. To maximize their giving, they are leveraging a cash gift with corporate matching funds and an estate bequest.
"We feel very good about our support for the Libraries. The Libraries don't get as much support because they are not a College," Judi says. But by giving to such a central part of the University, the Weltmanns will, in fact, touch all Penn State students and enhance their learning experience.