Athletic training (AT) faculty at Commonwealth University - Lock Haven, led by Dr. Jody Russell, mobilized a successful fundraising campaign to address financial challenges faced by athletic training graduate students, ensuring their access to medical equipment and uniforms needed for the academic year.
The campaign’s outcome was a collective effort involving not only Russell, but other athletic training faculty, including Dr. Steve Streator, and program alumni, Dr. Mike Porter ’91, Dr. Yvette Ingram ‘92, and Dr. Eric Lippincott ‘95.
“Our athletic training faculty are a family, so I know that everyone played a part in this fundraising effort,” said Russell. “Whether it was in the brainstorming ideas, spreading news of the fundraising campaign by word of mouth, or by donating to the fund, we all played a significant role.
The campaign, named the Porter Student Success Fund in honor of Porter — a 1991 graduate of Lock Haven’s athletic training program who now serves as the program’s longest tenured faculty member — aimed to raise $3,000 to provide medical equipment and first-aid kits to AT graduate students.
The overwhelming response saw the campaign raise an impressive $4,800 over two weeks, thanks predominantly to the generous contributions of athletic training alumni who hold the program close to their hearts.
With the funds raised, first-year graduate students were provided essential supplies, including required polo shirts, t-shirts, and medical bags stocked with equipment like blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, and goniometers.
The outpouring of support from over 60 donors, most of whom were alumni of the program, showcases the enduring connection and shared values of the Lock Haven athletic training family.
“We had alumni who graduated last year donate, and we had alumni donate that graduated over 40 years ago,” said Russell. “This shows the rich tradition that lives within our program and how it carries on throughout time.”
Along with the Porter Student Success Fund, Russell said there are also scholarships aimed at assisting students in the program, including the endowed Dave Tomasi Scholarship, and the Athletic Training Alumni Scholarship.
Looking forward, Russell and the rest of the AT faculty hope to sustain the spirit of giving for these scholarships, along with other initiatives that facilitate and enhance student success.
“The fact that we saw an increase of five graduate students this year is extremely telling that the growth of our program will continue,” said Russell. “I would love to see these funds continue to grow each year to help equip students with the tools they need to succeed.”
“The smiles on students’ faces spoke volumes [when receiving their supplies],” she added. “It opened their eyes to the family that exists within our program. I know that they will be one of the first to give back when they are able to. Giving back has always been a key part of our program’s culture.”