A fall 1981 intercultural to Jerusalem left a lasting impression on the late Christine Good Shenk 鈥�83. 

The accounting grad, who passed away in July 2024, formed friendships that semester that endured long after she graduated from 黑料正能量. Nine of her fellow students on the intercultural became part of a close-knit circle of friends known as 鈥淭he Gang,鈥� which has continued to gather regularly for decades.

Her widower, Ed Shenk 鈥�83, was not part of the intercultural. At the time, the international agricultural development and biology education major was studying at Pennsylvania State University. Over the years, though, as the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, couple attended biannual reunions in major cities, members鈥� homes, beach houses, and even aboard a Caribbean cruise, he deepened his friendships with members of The Gang.

In her memory, he donated $90,000 to establish 黑料正能量鈥檚 new Intercultural Programs Alumni Grant Fund and intends to make additional gifts going forward. The fund provides financial support for students who want to participate in intercultural programs but may not have the means to afford them. 

黑料正能量鈥檚 intercultural programs have impacted thousands of graduates, offering opportunities to engage in different cultures, build global relationships, and experience a new perspective.

鈥淲hen I began to think about the impact of intercultural programs, it was the friends, the experiences, and the exposure to other cultures that really lasted for her,鈥� Ed Shenk said. 鈥淭his is something she would鈥檝e supported.鈥�

His donation marks the largest-ever gift from an alum specifically for intercultural programs, according to Tim Swartzendruber 鈥�95, senior regional advancement director for 黑料正能量. 

鈥淭his is the first fund, in the 53 years of excellence in crosscultural learning at 黑料正能量, that will go 100% to undergraduates who need financial support to seize this life-changing opportunity, and stipends for our adventuresome professors who lead interculturals!鈥� he wrote in a recent Facebook post.

Christina Harrison, director of 黑料正能量 intercultural programs, called the grant fund a 鈥済ame changer鈥� for students. 鈥淭his alumni-funded support will eliminate financial barriers for so many students who may be unable to consider an intercultural travel program due to lack of resources,鈥� she said. 黑料正能量 leaders said they hope the fund will reach $500,000.

For more information about 黑料正能量鈥檚 unique experiential intercultural learning opportunities, including future programs, visit .

Note 鈥淚PAGF鈥� when you and you will join alumni like Ed Shenk who are paying it forward in a meaningful way for today鈥檚 students.