York College of PA Receives $125K Grant from George I. Alden Trust for Knowledge Park

York College’s Knowledge Park, a component of the College’s Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation, recently received a $125,000 grant from the George I. Alden Trust of Worcester, Mass.

The Knowledge Park is a learning laboratory that will enhance opportunities for students and faculty to interact with local businesses and organizations. It is being constructed on the 40-acre site of the former Schmidt Ault paper mill, with support from a Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant through the Department of Community and Economic Development.

“This new venture would allow us to grow our partnerships with companies, agencies, nonprofits, or organizations that will provide programmatic connections to York College through student experiential-learning opportunities and collaboration with our faculty,” said President Pamela Gunter-Smith.

"The Knowledge Park will be a hub for innovation on our campus and in our community, where students, educators, and innovators will come together to create what's next,” said Jeff Vermeulen, assistant vice president for external relations and director of the Knowledge Park. “We are grateful to the Alden Trust for their investment in the Knowledge Park, and are excited for what this project will mean to York College, the York community, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."

This is the first time the College has been awarded funding from the Alden Trust. “We particularly were impressed with your Knowledge Park investment as we look to see colleges making serious and conscientious efforts to improve their respective communities,” said Warner S. Fletcher, chair of the Alden Trust, in the award letter to the College.  “This project certainly seems to get strong marks in that area.”

George Alden established the George I. Alden Trust on August 24, 1912, for the general purpose of “the maintenance of some charitable or philanthropic enterprises” with specific interest in “the promotion of education in schools, colleges, or other educational institutions.”