Alumni of the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Universities continued to be the schools’ biggest supporters, donating more than $14 million to their alma maters in 2005-06.

The figure represented about one-third of the total contributed to PASSHE and its member universities last year by private individuals, corporations, foundations and other organizations. Twelve percent of PASSHE University alumni contributed to their alma maters in 2005-06. Among similar type institutions nationally, only 9 percent of alumni donated to their former schools.

Corporations made up the second-largest donor group to the PASSHE Universities in 2005-06, contributing 18 percent of the total amount donated, followed by other individuals and organizations (17 percent each) and foundations (12 percent).

While total giving declined slightly from 2004-05, the combined market value of the PASSHE University endowments increased by almost $20 million between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006, to a record $209.4 million.

“Private fundraising plays a vital role in the success of our Universities,” said Board of Governors Chairman Kenneth M. Jarin. “The strong support of our alumni is especially gratifying. That our graduates choose to give back to their schools is a clear indication of the quality of the educational opportunities PASSHE Universities provide.”

“Every dollar received in private support enables our Universities to create additional learning opportunities for our students,” said PASSHE Chancellor Dr. Judy G. Hample. “We are extremely grateful to the individuals, including both alumni and parents, and the corporations, organizations and foundations for the investment they have made in our Universities, in our students and in the Commonwealth.”

The majority of the gifts received by the PASSHE Universities were designated for specific uses, including student scholarships and to help fund campus construction and renovation projects. About one-fourth were designated to help the Universities build their endowments.

The Universities on average raised about $2.9 million in private funds in 2005-06. That compares to an average of $2.6 million raised by similar type universities in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Ohio.

With more than 109,000 students, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. The 14 PASSHE universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. More than 405,000 PASSHE alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. PASSHE also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Freeport, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.