We want to continue to provide an affordable public university education for individuals interested in turfgrass management. Your support of endowed scholarships will help ensure our continued success and future.

"Rising costs of tuition and the economic downturn have made it increasingly difficult to recruit talented individuals from across the globe because they can't afford to attend Penn State."

Turfgrass Science is important to our nation's economy. According to the most recent Pennsylvania turfgrass survey, 2 million acres of turfgrass are maintained in the Commonwealth and approximately 1.4 billion dollars are spent annually on turfgrass establishment and maintenance. To help meet the demands of this large and growing industry, the turfgrass extension program provides services for individuals who make their living managing lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, parks, and grounds. The facilities within the Turfgrass Science Program have enhanced our ability to provide:

  • a source of well-trained employees;
  • collaborative opportunities with scientists from around the world;
  • technology transfer, continuing education, and extension education programs for employees;
  • innovative research to identify new turfgrasses and management practices to advance the industry.

Support Students in Turfgrass

Rising costs of tuition and the economic downturn have made it increasingly difficult to compete for top students with competitor universities. Every year, we lose bright, talented students because they can't afford to attend Penn State. We want to continue to provide an affordable public university education for students interested in turfgrass science. Your support of endowed Turfgrass undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships will help ensure our continued success and future.

Penn State graduate students are tomorrow's leaders in education, business, science, engineering, the arts, and other professions. At Penn State, doctoral students collaborate with faculty on research while serving as instructors and mentors to undergraduate students. Advancements in promising areas of knowledge that are the future of the colleges, the University, and the nation begin with graduate students.

Endowed Scholarships

  • Lessen student loan debt, particularly for low-income students.
  • Reward academic achievement.
  • Help the University recruit the nation's top individuals with potential in the turfgrass industry.
  • Enable students to seize unique educational opportunities.

Endowed Chairs and Professorships

Endowed Chairs and Professorships not only provide honor and recognition for the men and women who hold them but also provide something more important: a stable, dependable source of income for special teaching and research materials, library acquisitions, salary supplements, and travel assistance. Learn more about how you can support faculty endowments at Penn State's Faculty Support site .

Graduate fellowships

Graduate fellowships provide indispensable financial support that assists Penn State in its efforts to recruit the brightest students and allows those students to focus even more intensively on their studies.

Graduate research awards

Graduate research awards assist graduate students as they develop research projects that have the potential to transform their fields. In addition, the continued future and success of the Center for Turfgrass Science rests with our ability to compete for students who will lead us in institutional excellence.

Host an Event

Have a group of superintendents in your region who would be willing to host a fundraiser or golf tournament? These types of events not only strengthen the relationships of those involved, but proceeds donated to the Program can be used for a variety of student activities.

Donate Your Time

Penn State has had a long tradition of support from its alumni and other active professionals within the turfgrass industry. While we recognize that not everyone is in the position to provide financial support, the donation of your time can be just as valuable to student development. Some ways to get involved include hosting a student field trip, volunteering to give a guest lecture, or becoming a student mentor.

Recommend a Student

Superintendents can show their support by recommending our program to an outstanding employee. Turfgrass managers who recognize an employee's potential within the turfgrass industry not only will be recognized as a mentor to the student, but also as advocate for increasing the quality of professionals within the industry

How Can I Help?

University development officers are ready to work with you and your financial advisers to explore a number of financial options and determine the most appropriate gift level and the most beneficial gift vehicle.

For more information, please contact our college's Development Office

If you have any questions about making a gift to the department, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Peter J. Landschoot, Ph.D.
Professor, Turfgrass Science
Director, Center for Turfgrass Science
413 Ag Sciences and Industries Bldg.
University Park, PA 16802
Email: pjl1@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-1017