University Park, Pa.-- Beginning Nov. 5, Penn State seniors will have an opportunity to determine their class legacy by selecting one of three options as their gift to the University.
Members of the University community submitted about 20 proposals. After careful consideration and discussion, the 2008 senior class gift ballot committee has selected the following three proposals for the final ballot:
Appalachian Cove Forest -- Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of a Penn State alumnus, construction of The Arboretum at Penn State will begin this fall. The Arboretum's primary entrance will be located north of Park Avenue, across from the Business and Forest Resources Buildings. The Appalachian Cove Forest, a unique ecosystem found in Pennsylvania, will serve as the entryway to the Arboretum and will feature a grove of trees and shrubs leading into the H. O. Smith Botanic Gardens. A perpetual living gift, the forest grove will be a popular location where students, alumni and visitors can meet when visiting the Arboretum or other nearby campus destinations such as the Berkey Creamery, the Dickinson School of Law, and Beaver Stadium.
Atherton and Curtin Gateway Element -- Located near the Nittany Lion Shrine (1940 class gift), the Nittany Lion Inn, and Rec Hall, the intersection of Atherton Street and Curtin Road serves as a prominent entrance to this highly visible part of campus. The Atherton and Curtin Gateway Element, located at the corner of these two roadways, will be designed to complement the style and materials of both the Inn and Rec Hall. Serving as a welcoming entrance to that side of campus for the many motorists and pedestrians who use it daily, this gateway will be popular among members of both the University and town communities.
Stone Lion Insignia and Scholarship -- A decorative stone Nittany Lion insignia will be located in the pavement on the south side of Beaver Stadium. Welcoming students, athletes, alumni, and visitors, this design element will be similar to such other ornamental paved areas on campus as the Pennsylvania state seal located near the Life Sciences Building and the words of the Alma Mater located at the Hintz Family Alumni Center. The Stone Lion Insignia will be in the company of several other class gifts in the stadium area, including the Victory Bell (1978 class gift) and the General Beaver monument (1909 class gift). When the insignia is completed, any additional funds available from this gift will go to a new scholarship named for the Class of 2008.
Voting for the 2008 senior class gift will take place Monday, Nov. 5, through Friday, Nov. 9. Seniors can vote online at http://www.SeniorClassGift.psu.edu from 8 a.m. Monday through 5 p.m. Friday. In addition, seniors can vote in person at the following locations:
-Monday, Nov. 5: HUB ground floor, Pattee/Paterno Library, Rec Hall fitness center
-Tuesday, Nov. 6: HUB ground floor, Business Building, Rec Hall fitness center
-Wednesday, Nov. 7: HUB ground floor, Willard Building, White Building fitness center
-Thursday, Nov. 8: HUB ground floor, Allen Street gates, White Building fitness center
-Friday, Nov. 9: HUB ground floor
The voting tables will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the exception of Rec Hall and the White Building, which will be open from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m Monday through Thursday.
"The senior class gift is a great opportunity for graduating students to give back to a university that has shaped them for the past several years," said Rebecca Miceli, senior class gift committee overall chair. "By voting and pledging to the gift, seniors are leaving their legacy at Penn State. I encourage all students graduating in May, August, and December of 2008 to take part in making this the best gift ever!"
The gift announcement will be made on Nov. 12 on the ground floor of the HUB at 1:30 p.m. The University community is invited.
The 2008 senior class gift committee includes Rebecca Miceli (overall chair), Mary Rowe (gift development chair), Alicia Koval (communications chair), Katherine Wheatle (student relations chair), and Stephen Hulick (marketing chair). Rowe led the ballot selection committee, which was composed of about 15 students, faculty and staff.
For more information about the senior class gift, contact Rebecca Miceli (rlm5003@psu.edu) or Lauren Steinberg, senior class gift advisor (lxs299@psu.edu). To learn more about previous senior class gifts, visit http://www.SeniorClassGift.psu.edu online.