Steph and Allie Pettit Gift $1.9 Million to Bring Bronze Husky Statues to CU-Bloomsburg

The Bloomsburg University Foundation and Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg (CU-Bloomsburg) are celebrating the generosity of Steph and Allie Pettit, whose latest gift of $1.9 million will bring four bronze Husky statues to campus over the next five years. Fully funded through the gift, the statues will serve as enduring symbols of Husky pride, while furthering the Pettits’ commitment to supporting the arts and enhancing the Bloomsburg experience.

This new contribution builds upon the Pettits’ transformative support of the arts at Bloomsburg and follows their recent $6 million gift to establish the Steph and Allie Pettit Center for the Arts. With this project, they continue to reinforce their dedication to elevating the university’s cultural landscape—and to celebrating the Husky spirit that defines Bloomsburg.

For Steph Pettit ’89, this gift is deeply personal and intentionally meaningful. Each of the four statues will be named and dedicated to individuals who represent the values of leadership, loyalty, and love for Bloomsburg.

• "Spirit" will be dedicated to Dr. Bashar Hanna, President of Commonwealth University.
• "Sentinel" will be dedicated to Erik Evans, Vice President of University Advancement.
• "Rally" will be dedicated to Dr. Michael McFarland, Director of Athletics.
• "Legacy" will be dedicated to the Pettit family.

“Bloomsburg has always been a part of me, and I wanted to create something that celebrates everything it stands for—grit, determination, and unwavering Husky pride,” said Pettit. “These statues honor the people who pour their hearts into this institution and who have made a lasting impact on my life and the lives of so many others. It’s about legacy—ours, theirs, and Bloomsburg’s.”

Each sculpture will be placed in a prominent location on Bloomsburg’s upper and lower campuses, offering students, alumni, and visitors inspiring landmarks that reflect Bloomsburg’s traditions and resilience. All four statues will be created by renowned sculptor Joshua Koffman, who will also collaborate with faculty and students in the university’s arts department during the creative process.

Commonwealth University President Bashar W. Hanna recognized the Pettits’ vision and continued generosity.

“Steph and Allie Pettit have once again demonstrated their extraordinary dedication to our university,” said Hanna. “Their generosity continues to enrich Bloomsburg in meaningful ways, and this unique gift will not only beautify our campus but also celebrate the spirit of Husky pride for generations to come.”

Beyond their symbolic and artistic significance, the sculptures will also provide hands-on learning opportunities for students. Koffman has agreed to the incorporation of the creative process into classroom discussions, allowing visual arts students to observe the development of the sculptures and gain insight into the craft of large-scale public art.

“This is an incredible chance for our students to engage with a professional artist, observe the sculpting process up close, and gain a deeper understanding of the intersection between fine arts and public installations,” said Meredith Grimsley, Chair of the Visual Arts Department. “We are so excited to be part of this project and grateful for the doors it will open for our students.”
This gift brings the total raised for The Campaign for Bloomsburg: It Starts With Us to $87,529,705 toward the campaign’s ambitious $100 million goal—the largest fundraising effort in Bloomsburg’s history.

To learn more about the campaign and how to support Bloomsburg’s future, visit giving.bloomu.edu/ItStartsWithUs.