UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Real estate developers Helen and Alex Woskob of State College have endowed the Woskob Family Chair in International Agriculture with a gift of $1.5 million to Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

The distinguished faculty member to be appointed to the Woskob chair will focus on creating partnerships in the Republic of Ukraine for student and faculty exchanges and for collaborative research on improving the production and marketing of agricultural commodities.

"Helen and Alex Woskob generously have invested their time, expertise and resources to benefit Penn State and the State College community," says Robert D. Steele, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. "This endowed chair will enhance the education of countless students here and abroad, create knowledge to help Ukraine and other countries to better feed their people, and foster international goodwill and understanding."

Natives of Ukraine, the Woskobs are founders and co-owners of State College-based A.W. and Sons Enterprises. Since 1963, they have developed numerous real estate projects in Centre County, including housing for thousands of Penn State students.

The Woskobs have a long history of support for higher education. In 1992, they established the Ukrainian Agricultural Exchange Program, enabling collaboration between the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Ukrainian Agricultural Academy. They have been involved in the university's Ukrainian Studies program and have served on the advisory board of the Centre for Ukrainian Agriculture.

The holder of the Woskob Chair in International Agriculture will be appointed by the university's executive vice president and provost on the recommendation of the dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences.

By providing additional support for instruction, research and public service, faculty endowments help Penn State to recruit and retain world-class scholars.

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EDITORS: For more information, contact Abigail Hopkins, development assistant in the College of Agricultural Sciences, at 814-863-1373.

Contacts: Chuck Gill cdg5@psu.edu 814-863-2713 814-865-1068 fax