Donor Stories - Betty Luke '81

Alumna Establishes Scholarship Endowment

with the Millersville University Foundation for Women in Business

Elizabeth “Betty” Luke graduated from Millersville State College in May 1981. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an economics minor. Following graduation, Betty spent over 32 years at HP Inc. in a variety of roles, retiring as a Global Account Manager last year. She has been engaged with Millersville University over the last several years and is a familiar face at the popular MU After Work alumni events.

As Betty watched the costs for a college education increase over the last few decades, she saw that more and more students were faced with having to take out loans to afford an education. “The interest on loans … prohibits many young people from pursuing their ambitions and dreams. Scholarships provide a path forward for young people who want to go to college but cannot afford it.” Thinking back to her own experience, when Betty graduated from high school, she wanted to attend college, but like many families, her family did not have the resources to pay for college. As one of six children, Betty was responsible for paying for her own education. She was fortunate to receive some financial assistance while a student at Millersville. In addition to that assistance, she worked at Gordinier Dining Hall during the school year and had additional jobs while on breaks and during the summer, even adding a second job during her senior year to finish her degree. Betty shared, “I firmly believe in education and having a college degree. It made a difference in my life. I wanted to give back and decided to support future young women in their educational pursuits in the Lombardo College of Business.”

Earlier this year, Betty created the Elizabeth A. Luke ’81 Women in Business Award to be awarded to two incoming freshman female students in the Lombardo College of Business with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years, provided the student is making progress towards graduation and continues to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. By creating a scholarship endowment, Betty’s gift is invested by the Millersville University Foundation and only the spendable income is awarded to students each year, ensuring that the scholarship will last in perpetuity, benefiting generations of Millersville students.

“I am an advocate for women. I know from personal experience the challenge of having to work and pay for my college degree. I believe it’s important to make a difference. I hope the future recipients of my scholarship will change the world as successful young women business leaders. They are the future.”

Click here if you are interested in learning more about how to create a scholarship endowment with the Millersville University Foundation or contact the Development Office at 717-871-7520.

This story was originally featured in the Spring 2021 edition of the Millersville University "Imagine" Magazine.