Janet Neff Sample Center for Manners and Civility

The Janet Neff Sample Center for Manners and Civility was founded to foster a civility-enriched academic experience within the Penn State Erie community. It provides resources for teaching, research, and co-curricular programs leading to an understanding of the global, theoretical dimensions of civility as well as to an enhancement of practical interpersonal and public communication skills.

The Origin

The Janet Neff Sample Center for Manners and Civility resulted from the gift of the late George Sample, publisher of the Corry Journal. He provided an endowment to memorialize his wife whose model of graciousness he had admired throughout his life. Long a contributor to University programs, Mr. Sample himself was a Penn State alumnus, earning the title of Behrend Alumni Fellow in 1999. Six of Samples' eight children are also Penn State alumni. This gift continues the family's commitment and devotion to the educational goals of Penn State.

The Present

The Sample Center currently provides grants to a variety of campus organizations that plan civility-related programs and/or research. These include Residence Life, the Speaker Series, Athletics and Admissions, among others. In addition, students enrolled in related classes provide outreach services to Erie-area schools and organizations embracing the goals of civility education for students of all ages.

Printable grant applications ​(PDF) | (Word) may be submitted as hard copies or electronically to Bill McLean.

Directors

Bill McLean 2016-
Colleen Kelley 2010-2016
Cathy Mester 2008-2010
Rod Troester 2004-2007
Cathy Mester 2002-2004