Taking that first step toward supporting students in need can seem daunting, but gifts of any size can make a difference. And, as one alumna learned, when that gift is matched (and matched again), the impact can be significant.
Mary Ward ’16, 19g, turned her first gift into a powerful investment in students. Her $12,500 contribution was matched by her employer, Capital One, doubling it to $25,000, then matched again through the Igwé Family Matching Scholarship Program, bringing the total value of the endowment to $50,000.
The Ward-Igwé Family Matching Scholarship will support IST students from Pennsylvania who face uncertainty about how to make college financially feasible.
“Raised in a small town in central Pennsylvania and surrounded by dedicated farmers and blue-collar families, I witnessed firsthand that opportunities—though often earned through hard work—were never a guarantee,” she said. “Receiving an athletic scholarship from Penn State fundamentally changed the trajectory of my life.”
Ward earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from IST and now works as a lead AI product manager at Capital One. She remains committed to mentoring young women and investing in the next generation, aiming to provide students with not just financial support, but with confidence and encouragement as well. She coaches a traveling women’s softball team and mentors high school girls in technology and robotics. And she wants others to benefit from the education and community that formed the foundation of her career.
“I know how powerful it is when someone believes in you and invests in your future,” Ward said. “I hope this scholarship can be that vote of confidence for someone else. Penn State gave me so much. Supporting students is a way to pay that forward and invest in the next generation of leaders who will go on to do incredible things.”
Truly Thankful
The Igwé Family Matching Scholarship Program was established by C. Frank Igwé ’08PhD to provide a 1:1 permanent matching commitment (up to $50,000) for first-time gifts of at least $25,000 from IST alumni.
The program’s first scholarship—the Mark and Carol Poblete Igwé Family Matching Scholarship—was awarded to cybersecurity analytics and operations student Jasmine C., class of 2027.
“This support has been a tremendous blessing, helping me manage difficult financial burdens and covering part of my tuition, which has made a significant difference in my ability to continue my education,” Jasmine said.
“It has given me the opportunity to focus on my studies and work toward being the first in my family to graduate from college. It has also given me the peace of mind needed to complete the semester successfully, and for that, I am truly thankful.”
Also in This Issue
Laiya Mathew '26
One of IST’s newest alumni shares how the powerful IST alumni network shaped her experience—and how she hopes to carry on the tradition.
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When you support the College of Information Sciences and Technology, you make an impact greater than a simple transaction. No matter the size of your gift or what you support, your gifts drive us forward, making the college—and the world—a better place.