Jarrod and Natalie Angstadt

Why We Give

"We feel it is important to create a legacy as well as to recognize academic excellence. We give because we have the opportunity to have a one-on-one connection with students."

Jarrod and Natalie's Story

The two met in Texas. Natalie, who called herself "the elder," had moved there for a job. Jarrod, "the younger," a 1998 Penn State graduate with a degree in agricultural systems management, was relocated there by his Pennsylvania-based employer: Case New Holland.

Two years and two houses separated the two accidental neighbors. They met, married, and eventually moved back to Pennsylvania.

Appropriately, Natalie and Jarrod Angstadt created two scholarship awards in the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Jarrod S. and Natalie A. Angstadt Award in Agricultural Systems Management Excellence and the Natalie A. and Jarrod S. Angstadt Award in Equine Science Excellence.

"I think I've given to the College [of Agricultural Sciences] every year since I graduated," said Jarrod, who grew up working on his grandfather's beef and poultry farm in Kutztown, Pa. Now the manager of specialty products for Case New Holland, Jarrod says Penn State helped him launch a successful career.

"I attribute much of my success to Penn State," he added. "It's where I learned a lot about myself."

Natalie Angstadt holds a bachelor's degree from Marymount College and a master's degree from the University of St. Thomas. Though both of her degrees are in information systems and her entire career has been focused on software development and analysis, Natalie said her true passion has always been horses. Owning them. Breeding them. Riding them. Learning about them.

"If I had to do it all again, I would probably major in equine science rather than a technology field," Natalie admitted. "I have owned horses for over 20 years. I have a massive amount of respect for equine veterinarians and would like to see more students focus on equine science."

The Angstadts are in their early 40s and a long way from retirement, which is often the time people start thinking about creating legacies.

So why give? Why now?

After supporting Jarrod's alma mater for years through Penn State's annual giving program, and knowing that neither of her alma maters had equine sciences programs, Natalie suggested they do something more significant to support the programs closest to their interests. "I thought it was time to create something with our names on it, something that would leave a legacy."

Jarrod agreed.

The Jarrod S. and Natalie A. Angstadt Award in Agricultural Systems Management Excellence is intended to recognize two students who have outstanding academic records in the biorenewable systems major who are pursuing the agricultural systems management option. The Natalie A. and Jarrod S. Angstadt Award in Equine Science Excellence will be given to two outstanding students minoring in equine science.

"Unlike other ways of giving, when you create a scholarship award, you get to make a direct impact," shared Natalie. "There is a one-to-one connection between us and the students -- a tangible recipient on the other end. Plus, we have no children of our own, so through these scholarships, we get to help kids in a different way."

"Part of my thought process when thinking about creating the awards had to do with what I saw in high school," said Jarrod. "I was busy working on a farm, so I couldn't participate in all the activities that tend to be recognized with scholarships. I wanted to do something to help people like me."