PENN Entertainment is collaborating with a historically black university to launch a campaign focused on STEM education.
The gaming and entertainment giant is teaming up with Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) to launch the STEM Capital Campaign, which is aimed at advancing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for students across the greater St. Louis area. PENN is helping kickstart the campaign with a $500,000 donation to help HSSU and its new campaign fund scholarships and a state-of-the-art STEM building on campus.
“This gift represents a significant milestone for Harris-Stowe State University and our unwavering commitment to creating opportunities in STEM for underrepresented students,” said HSSU President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith. “The new STEM facility and scholarship opportunities will enhance our ability to equip students with the tools they need to lead and innovate in an ever-evolving workforce.”
PENN is providing HSSU with a gift to advance STEM education as part of a $4 million initiative to fund STEM scholarships at HBCUs across America. Since 2021, PENN has helped six institutions across the country create and provide STEM-based scholarships.
“We established this STEM program to provide students at HBCUs with increased access to STEM opportunities and create hands-on learning experiences,” said PENN Diversity Council Chair and SVP of Regional Operations Justin Carter. “We are honored to help support the launch of the University’s STEM Capital Campaign and look forward to working with Harris-Stowe to empower students and narrow the representation gap in STEM fields.”
PENN is making a donation to HSSU after closing Q3 2024 with $1.6 billion in revenue mirroring results from the same period last year. The company’s Midwest segment, which includes Hollywood Casino St. Louis and River City Casino in Missouri, posted $292.2 million in revenue in Q3. By comparison, revenue in Q3 2024 closed at $293.4 million.
