Senior Class Gift

Class of 2013 seeks sculptor for Senior Class Gift

2/25/13

Penn State's 2013 Senior Class has voted to commission a sculpture as the Senior Class Gift and launched a national competition to find an artist for the project. The sculpture, to be adjacent to the east side of the Intramural Building, will represent the University's iconic theme "We Are." The words of the Penn State Alma Mater in the original handwriting of Fred Lewis Pattee is to be incorporated into the piece.

The Nittany Lion Shrine marks 70 years

10/24/12

Today (Oct. 24) is the 70th anniversary of the dedication of one of the hallmarks of Penn State: the Nittany Lion Shrine. Whether students grew up as Penn State fans or they began "bleeding blue and white" when they first stepped on the University Park campus, the shrine is an important part of their lives. A gift of the class of 1940, the statue was completed by sculptor Heinz Warneke from a 13-ton block of Indiana limestone in 1942. Since then, it has become the most photographed spot on campus -- and a favorite symbol of Penn Staters everywhere.

Seniors select 'We Are' sculpture as 2013 class gift

10/24/12

Penn State's Senior Class Gift Committee announced today (Oct. 24) that the class of 2013 has chosen to create a "We Are" sculpture on campus as its gift to the University. The sculpture will consist of large, three-dimensional letters, spelling the iconic "We Are," with the words of the Penn State Alma Mater inscribed across them in the original handwriting of Fred Lewis Pattee. The words to the alma mater were written in April 1901 by Pattee, professor of American literature, and embody Penn State pride.

"For over 120 years, the senior class gift program has been an outlet for students to give back to Penn State, as a way of thanking the institution for the years of excellence, education and memories," Morgan Delaware, overall chair of the Senior Class Gift Committee, said at the announcement. "I think this gift really expresses the pride we feel for this University, and I hope it will inspire that same pride in all the classes to come after us."

Seniors: Voting for 2013 senior class gift begins Oct. 15

10/9/12

From Monday through Friday, Oct. 15-19, 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. The three proposals selected for the ballot are: "We Are" Sculpture; Rec Hall Beautification; and Penn State Hershey Center for the Protection of Children Donation. Seniors can vote online at http://giveto.psu.edu/VoteSCG or in person on the ground floor of the HUB, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 15-19. Students graduating in May, August, or December of 2013 are eligible to vote and donate to this year's senior class gift.

Penn State Veterans Plaza, 2011 class gift, to be dedicated Sept. 14

9/10/12

The Penn State Veterans Plaza, a gift of the Class of 2011, will be dedicated in a public ceremony to be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, on the patio of Old Main, on the University Park campus. The plaza will honor all Penn State veterans, including the late Lt. Michael P. Murphy, the only Penn State alumnus to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Construction of the plaza, located near the intersection of Pollock Road and the Henderson Mall, off the northeast corner of Old Main, is in its final stages and is expected to be completed prior to the ceremony. More than 3,200 donors contributed to the project, surpassing $260,000, the largest amount ever raised for a class gift at Penn State.

Proposals invited from University community for 2013 senior class gift

8/13/12

Penn State's Senior Class Gift Committee invites any member of the University community to submit proposals for the 2013 class gift. To submit a proposal, visit www.SeniorClassGift.psu.edu and follow the proposal instructions. A volunteer committee of students, faculty, and staff will review all proposals and establish a ballot of three potential gifts. In October, seniors will be asked to vote for their choice. The deadline for proposals is Friday, Sept. 14.

Penn State's Veterans Plaza to be dedicated Sept. 14

8/13/12

Penn State's Senior Class Gift Committee invites the public to celebrate the opening of the Penn State Veterans Plaza, the gift of the class of 2011. The dedication will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, on the patio of Old Main on the University Park campus. Seating is limited, but all are welcome to attend. For more information about the event, contact the Office of Annual Giving at (814) 863-2052 or seniorclassgift@psu.edu. Visit http://live.psu.edu/story/55651 for more information about the Penn State Veterans Plaza.

Class of 2012 fulfills alumni couple's scholarship challenge

4/16/12

Penn State alumni and benefactors Edward R. and Helen S. Hintz will be endowing a $50,000 Trustee Scholarship in the name of the class of 2012 after the Senior Class Gift Committee met a goal of obtaining at least 3,000 pledges to the class gift from seniors by April 15, 2012. According to Jordan Ford, senior class gift advisor, as of April 15 the campaign had secured more than 3,500 pledges for the gift and is on pace to raise the most money and secure the most pledges in the class gift program's history. Seniors can still make a gift at www.SeniorClassGift.psu.edu online.

2012 Senior Class Gift Announcement

10/27/11

Oct. 26, 2011

Event to honor life of Penn State alumnus and Medal of Honor recipient

3/24/11

The 2011 Senior Class Gift Committee invites all members of the Penn State community to attend "Medal of Honor: The Life of Lt. Michael P. Murphy" on Saturday, April 2, 1-3 p.m. in 112 Kern Building, on the University Park campus. Lt. Murphy, a 1998 graduate of the University and a Navy Seal, is the only Penn State alumnus to earn the Medal of Honor, posthumously receiving the U.S. military's highest decoration for his actions in 2005 during the war in Afghanistan. Last fall the 2011 senior class voted to create a plaza to honor Lt. Murphy and all other Penn State veterans.

2011 Senior Class Gift: Lt. Michael P. Murphy/Penn State Veterans Plaza

2011 class gift: Lt. Michael P. Murphy/Penn State Veterans Plaza

11/2/10

Penn State's Senior Class Gift Committee announced Nov. 2 that the class of 2011 has chosen its gift to the University: The Lt. Michael P. Murphy/Penn State Veterans Plaza. Seniors so far have pledged more than $34,000 to the campaign, which will create a plaza that honors Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a 1998 graduate of the University and the only Penn State alumnus to earn the Medal of Honor, and all other Penn State veterans.

Class gifts hidden from view

Senior Class Gifts

Seniors: Voting for 2011 senior class gift begins Oct. 25

10/19/10

From Monday, Oct. 25, through Friday, Oct. 29, seniors will have the opportunity to determine their class legacy by voting for one of these three options as their gift to the University: The Lt. Michael P. Murphy/Penn State Veterans Plaza; The "Old Willow" Tree and Class of 2011 Trustee Scholarship; or The Penn State Alma Mater Display. Students can vote online at http://www.SeniorClassGift.psu.edu or in person on the ground floor of the HUB and at the downtown Student Book Store from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. daily.