University Park, Pa. -- Penn State's class of 2005 has announced its gift to the University -- a commemorative design piece celebrating the sesquicentennial of the University, to be part of a planned HUB-Robeson Center lawn reconstruction. Seniors have pledged nearly $23,000 so far to the project.
Plans for reconstruction intend to make the HUB lawn more attractive, accessible and useful. The seniors' gift will be a part of that project, according to Amanda Reinitz, chair of the 2005 senior class gift committee. The design element will depict the evolution of the University and will be in harmony with the lawn and the HUB Terrace, the senior class gift of 1998.
"Our class, which graduates in Penn State's 150th year, will honor Dear Old State by adding a design element that will bring beauty and history to an area on campus used daily by students," said Reinitz. "This gift will honor the evolution of our University from its humble beginnings in the 1800s to its place today as one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the country."
Members of the senior class gift committee will work with the staff of the Office of Physical Plant to design the piece, which will be in accordance with the University's Campus Master Plan. A plaque noting the senior class contribution will be prominently located near the piece.
"As this project belongs to the senior class, all seniors will have an opportunity to provide their input as we plan the design of this gift," said Reinitz.
According to Doug Wenger, University planner in the Office of Physical Plant, enhancements to the HUB lawn will begin at the end of spring semester 2005 and are expected to be completed by fall. These plans include removing most of the chain link fence and hedge around the lawn and installing new concrete walkways that will encircle the lawn in an oval shape that will better accommodate pedestrian traffic. The renovated landscape will also feature new benches, lighting, and plantings. These improvements are intended to make the space more pedestrian-friendly and inviting.
Rod Kirsch, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations, accepted the gift on behalf of the University. He noted that the gift is particularly appropriate since the HUB itself is also celebrating its 50th anniversary. The gift of the Class of 2005 will join a number of class gifts in and around the building, including the Peace Garden (1997), the HUB Aquariums (1999), and the HUB-Robeson Historical Mural (2003), which will be unveiled on Penn State's 150th birthday on Feb. 22, 2005.
About 1,800 seniors cast ballots last week (Oct. 25-29) in-person and on-line. The winning proposal was chosen over two others-a gateway at the Atherton/Curtain entrance to campus, and restoring the park benches in the campus historic zone that were originally the gift of the Class of 1900.
Most of the funding for class gifts comes from seniors pledging the balance of their general deposits. The University holds general deposits for each student to cover unforeseen expenses, fees and emergency costs.
The 2005 senior class gift committee is led by Amanda Reinitz, overall chair; Megan Collins, ballot selection chair; Blair Dempster, ad/public relations chair; Danielle Pitcher, Web/It chair; Teri Rosenberg, fund-raising chair; and Bryan Wright, voting chair.
Penn State seniors have been making class gifts to the University for more than a hundred years, beginning when members of the Class of 1861, at their reunion in 1890, gave the University a portrait of Penn State's first president, Evan Pugh, that still hangs in the lobby of Old Main.
Visit http://www.seniorclassgift.psu.edu to see what gifts previous senior classes have made to Penn State.