Touch of Blue alum establishes program fund to support majorettes

For 50 years, the Penn State Touch of Blue Majorettes have been delighting fans with their signature choreography and unrivaled school spirit. To celebrate the anniversary and to support the group, Beth (’90 HHD) and Bob Christina (’87 HHD) have given $25,000 to establish the Program Fund for the Touch of Blue Majorettes. The program fund will support the majorettes’ financial needs and aims to enhance the Touch of Blue experience for majorettes and fans of the Penn State Blue Band. The majorettes were established in 1972 under the former Blue Band Director James Dunlop. Over the last five decades, the squad has not only become a beloved symbol of Penn State pride, but has also won several team and individual national championships. Beth Christina, a member of Touch of Blue from 1986 to 1990 and a two-time captain, said her time on the squad was transformative and she hopes that establishment of the fund will inspire others to financially support the majorettes. “The Touch of Blue is near and dear to my heart and the opportunity to support such great representatives of the University is exciting for [us],” Christina said. The financial support for the squad is much needed, according to Christina. A little-known reality for Blue Band members is that there is minimal scholarship support, and the financial responsibility for necessary items often falls on the individuals. When Christina was at Penn State, the Blue Band provided the uniform, but she was responsible for purchasing her baton, boots, warm-ups and other gear. A few years after she graduated, the Touch of Blue began competing in various national competitions, which Christina said likely adds to the financial demands. “All of those things considered, for us it is the right thing to do,” Christina said. “The Touch of Blue changed my life, and we hope others can see the value in supporting such an amazing squad and an important part of the University.” To make a gift to the Touch of Blue, visit raise.psu.edu/TouchOfBlue With the record-breaking success of “A Greater Penn State for 21^st Century Excellence,” which raised $2.2 billion from 2016 to 2022, philanthropy is helping to sustain the University’s tradition of education, research and service to communities across the Commonwealth and around the globe. Scholarships enable our institution to open doors and welcome students from every background, support for transformative experiences allows our students and faculty to fulfill their vast potential for leadership, and gifts toward discovery and excellence help us to serve and impact the world we share. To learn more about the impact of giving and the continuing need for support, please visit raise.psu.edu