Elliott and Rhonda Haverlack Make Historic $5M Gift to Slippery Rock University

Credit: Slippery Rock University

SLIPPERY ROCK, PA - Elliott and Rhonda Haverlack have announced a $5M gift to Slippery Rock University to establish the Haverlack College of Business. One that will provide students with opportunities for generations to come.

The chance to support the university with a transformational gift was a blessing the Haverlack’s never dreamed they would have.

“We never imagined we’d have this opportunity,” said Rhonda Haverlack. “Slippery Rock will always be home for Elliott, and it’s become a special place for both of us. Our hope is that every student who walks through these doors knows that the opportunities available to them are limitless.”

The Haverlack’s $5 million investment represents the single largest gift to SRU in its 136-year history and is one of the most significant philanthropic investments in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. The gift will support student scholarships, faculty research, facility enhancement and expanded student opportunities in SRU’s college and programs that are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). 

“We are profoundly honored by the Haverlack family’s extraordinary generosity,” said Karen Riley, president of Slippery Rock University. “This transformative gift is not merely an investment in the University and our students, it is a bold affirmation of our strategic plan and our mission, and it will serve as a powerful catalyst for the future of our students, our University, and the economic vitality of our region. The newly named Haverlack College of Business will strengthen the college’s solid foundation of ingenuity, leadership and entrepreneurial excellence. This gift is more than philanthropy, it is a legacy of vision, purpose and enduring impact that will empower future generations to learn, lead and succeed.”

The Haverlacks have always felt providing opportunities, like education, were profoundly important in helping others better themselves and their communities. As a result, their investment in the university community runs deep. In 2019, the Haverlack family donated $1 million to establish the Frank and Margaret Haverlack Good Citizen Scholarship, named in honor of Elliott’s late parents. The scholarship provides aid to highly motivated, high-need undergraduate students who demonstrate a "Servant Heart" and a dedication to community service and leadership.

You can read more about Elliott and Rhonda’s gift to the university on the Slippery Rock University website.