University Park, Pa. – Students are invited to experience an interactive boardwalk environment on the first floor of the HUB this week, Monday through Friday, March 22-26, in support of the senior class gift program.
Last October, the class of 2010 voted to create a boardwalk and overlook across the Ramage Marsh Meadow in the Arboretum at Penn State, a 370-acre living laboratory on the University Park campus. The boardwalk and overlook will function as the main entrance to the Arboretum and provide a place for research and education. Located adjacent to Park Avenue across from the Business and Forest Resources Buildings, the Arboretum will be officially dedicated in April.
“The boardwalk in the HUB simulates the feeling of being at the Arboretum, walking across the class gift of 2010,” said Emily Hebner, events chairperson for the class gift committee. “Our goal is to have something visually striking in order to promote the development of the boardwalk, as well as the importance for seniors to donate to their gift.”
The Penn State Horticulture Club designed the boardwalk using wood donated by Home Depot. The boardwalk is flanked by a variety of plants, including azaleas and juniper, on loan from Scott's Landscaping. Students are encouraged to walk across as they make their way through the HUB, sit down on the benches to enjoy the atmosphere, and speak to members of the senior class gift committee to learn more about the project.
"It's important for students to understand the changing impact the Arboretum - and specifically the Marsh Meadow Boardwalk and Overlook - will have on Penn State's campus,” said Michael Lampariello, senior class gift committee overall chairperson. “In a small way, through the creation of a temporary boardwalk, we hope to visualize the impact."
To date, nearly 2,500 seniors have committed over $200,000 to the 2010 senior class gift and in support of colleges, campuses, and student organizations. At the HUB boardwalk, seniors will have the opportunity to pledge to the senior class gift campaign, which continues a tradition that began with the class of 1861.
For more information about Penn State’s senior class gift program, visit http://psuseniors.com online.