Mansfield, PA October 4, 2012 – Mansfield University of Pennsylvania accepted a $50,000 priority school grant from State Farm to further support the university's computer science department and networking lab. As well, the State Farm grant extends a continuation of Mansfield's systems internship opportunities with the nation's leading insurer.
As a systems priority school, State Farm has placed philanthropic emphasis on Mansfield
University. In 2004, the State Farm Foundation awarded Mansfield University $62,000 to open
their Networking Lab. Since 1997, State Farm and Mansfield University have partnered to help
computer science students acquire internships and employment opportunities with the
Bloomington, Illinois based insurer. In all, thirty (30) student interns have been selected and
nineteen (19) Mansfield University students have been provided with full time positions in State
Farm's Corporate Systems Department. System priority schools are selected because of their
finance or insurance-related curricula offered to students.
The Mansfield University grant is one of four awarded by State Farm to promote business and technology education curriculum and training across the country. Additional $50,000 grants also were awarded to the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa; Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi; and Florida International University in Miami, Florida.
State Farm presented the grant on Thursday, October 4 in the North Hall Library Traditional Reading Room on campus. A computer lab tour followed. Attendees will included Dr. Allan Golden, president of Mansfield University; representatives from State Farm; and Mansfield University students and alum.
"State Farm selected these four schools for grants based on the strength of their business and technology education programs", said State Farm Northeast Zone Public Affairs Manager, Marcia Thompkins. "In the past, similar grants at various institutions have been used to upgrade classrooms, purchase equipment, build computer labs or enhance teaching.
"Tomorrow's labor force must be ready to meet the constantly changing demand for technology solutions to business needs," adds Peter Wenzel, State Farm Product Solutions Service Manager and Mansfield University graduate. "We are pleased and proud to build relationships with these universities and support their innovative approaches to helping students – America's future employees – prepare to make a difference in the workplace."
State Farm actively supports efforts to ensure young people of all ages have access to a quality education that will allow them to achieve their greatest potential, preparing them to be active participants in a nation that continues to be a global leader.
State Farm is committed to helping create a healthy business environment through philanthropy and by working with national and local relationships to build stronger communities.
Dave Phillips, Public Affairs Specialist, (610) 358-7667.
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts - more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 43 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.
