Impact

Why state funding matters: Penn State supports education in rural communities

An image of Wayne Martenas overlaid with the Penn State mark and the text "What does it mean to have an affordable in-state option like Penn State for Pennsylvania students, particularly in rural communities?"

An investment in Penn State is an investment in rural communities. State funding plays a critical role in Penn State’s efforts to support agricultural education and provide affordable access to a world-class degree for students from rural and lower-income areas. 

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An investment in Penn State is an investment in rural communities. State funding plays a critical role in Penn State’s efforts to support agricultural education and provide affordable access to a world-class degree for students from rural and lower-income areas. That affordable access starts with the in-state tuition rate, which is directly funded by Penn State's state appropriation. 

"I think it's really important that we continue to get that support because a large number of those people stay in the [agriculture] industry and stay here in Pennsylvania after they do finish their studies," said Wayne Martenas, of Lititz, Pennsylvania, a 1974 Penn State alumnus who earned his degree in agricultural engineering. 

Click here to learn how a Penn State education personally impacted Martenas, who enjoyed a 38-year career with Case New Holland, now CNH Industrial, where he retired as vice president of security and facilities. 

Watch the video of Martenas above, and click here to learn more about how state support for Penn State benefits all Pennsylvanians

Last Updated June 16, 2022