In December, Penn State donated nearly $1.5 million dollars to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR). Now, Penn State gave nearly $1.1 million to the Penn State Hershey Center for the Protection of Children, which will be based out of the new Children’s Hospital at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

The $1.1 million figure is over double the amount that was promised to the center when it first came to fruition last December. In total, Penn State has donated $2,616,184, which includes the university’s share of the Big Ten Bowl revenue. This figure also includes the $1.5 million that was allotted to PCAR.

Penn State President Rodney Erickson had estimated back in December that $500,000 would be available to donate after deducting the $1.5 million that was promised to PCAR. “Our bowl revenue came in higher than expected, which is tremendous news, so we were able to provide the additional funding,” Erickson said to PSU Live, “We expect that the center will become a national leader in clinical care, research, education and direction of policy related to child abuse and neglect.”

This additional funding will help plans for the center move faster, and Penn State Hershey can use the funds to find additional resources for the center, such as educators, doctors, and legal aides. These resources will help detect, treat, and protect those who were abused as children. The center itself will focus on a wide spectrum of issues related to child abuse, especially since many of the College of Medicine faculty members have been recognized both nationally and internationally for their work on behalf of children and their families.

Dr. Harold L. Paz, chief executive officer, senior VP for health affairs, and Dean of the Penn State College of Medicine also said to PSU Live, “Bringing the resources of our academic medical center to bear on the problem of child maltreatment is a way in which we can fulfill our mission to serve our community and our Commonwealth.”