University Park, Pa. -- Beginning Nov. 3, Penn State seniors will have an opportunity to determine their class legacy by voting for one of three options as their gift to the University.
Members of the Penn State community submitted about 40 proposals online and through paper submission. After careful consideration, the 2009 Senior Class Gift ballot committee has selected the following three proposals for the final ballot:
-- Class of 2009 Undergraduate Trustee Scholarship. Seniors will fund a scholarship endowment to help make a Penn State education possible for undergraduate students who have financial need. Part of the annual income from the endowment will be matched by the University as part of its unique Trustee Matching Scholarship Program, to double the impact of the financial support for future Penn State students. The scholarship, named for the Class of 2009, would be awarded in perpetuity by the Office of Student Aid. This gift will continue a long tradition of scholarships as class gifts and help to provide an education to students for generations.
-- Mount Nittany Vista. Mount Nittany stands with Old Main and the Nittany Lion statue as prominent visual symbols of the Penn State student experience. This vista, located outside the Bryce Jordan Center, will combine a picturesque gathering area with a panoramic view of Mount Nittany during every season, to become a new campus landmark. The site will incorporate design elements such as seating and lighting and present an attractive and unique photo opportunity for thousands of students, alumni and visitors.
-- Restoration and Display of Old Main Bell. Cast in 1874, the bronze bell in the tower of Old Main has not rung since the last day of class in June 1929, and can be seen only by visitors to the limited-access bell tower. The class will fund the removal of the bell from the tower, and its subsequent restoration and display in a prominent campus location so that it can be appreciated as a symbol of Penn State's heritage. The bell also could be rung on special occasions, allowing the campus community to "hear" University history and perhaps start a new campus tradition.
Voting for the 2009 senior class gift will take place Monday, Nov. 3, through Friday, Nov. 7. Seniors can vote online at http://www.give2009.psu.edu that week. In addition, seniors can vote in person on the ground floor of the HUB, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Conceptual sketches of the Mount Nittany Vista and the Old Main Bell, ballots and pledge sheets will be available at the voting tables.
"The senior class gift gives graduating seniors the opportunity to give back to Penn State, from which they have received so much," said Liz Kernion, senior class gift committee overall chairperson. "Seniors, help determine the Class of 2009's legacy by voting and pledging and helping to leave your mark at Penn State!"
Students graduating in May, August or December 2009 are all eligible to vote and donate to this year's senior class gift.
The gift announcement will be made on Nov. 13, at 11 a.m. on the ground floor of the HUB-Robeson Center. President Graham Spanier will be present to accept the 2009 class gift. The University community is invited to attend.
The 2009 Senior Class Gift Committee includes Liz Kernion (overall chair), Avery Peechatka (public relations chair), Trina Finney (gift development chair), Jill Caffrey (marketing chair), Jenny Georges (student relations chair), and Kimmie Aubrey (student relations chair). Finney led the ballot selection committee, which was composed of about 15 students, faculty and staff.
For more information about the senior class gift, contact Liz Kernion (elizabeth.kernion@psu.edu) or Jordan Ford, senior class gift advisor (jaf378@psu.edu). To learn more about senior class gifts at Penn State, visit http://www.SeniorClassGift.psu.edu online.