Campus Life

University community invited to submit 2019 Class Gift proposals

The clock in Old Main's bell tower is a gift of Penn State's class of 1904. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Class Gift Executive Committee has officially launched the 2019 campaign by opening up the class gift proposal submission website to the public.

As one of the most storied traditions on campus, the class gift presents students, faculty and alumni an opportunity to make changes and additions to the University — ones that will benefit the generations to come. According to Tom Beeby, executive director of the committee and a junior in economics and political science, this is the community’s chance to “think deeply about what is truly missing from our University.”

“In order to enhance the student experience here at Penn State, the proposal process is crucial to the success of the campaign,” Beeby said. “We ask that you join us in leaving a lasting impact on our incredible University.”

This year, the executive committee decided to set a submission goal of 219 proposals — a playoff of “2019.”  The purpose of this, according to Director of Fundraising Anna Thoet, senior in history and international politics, is to get more community members familiar with University philanthropy, along with offering a wider variety of gift ideas to choose from in the end.

“Penn State provides incredible opportunities to its students,” she said. “We want to get the entire senior class — along with the underclassmen — involved in the process so that they can see how much of an impact they can make on the future of Penn State.”

Historically, the class gift campaign has brought campus alive with landmarks such as the Nittany Lion Shrine — a gift from the Class of 1940 — and the “We Are” sculpture — a gift of the Class of 2013.  Similarly, the campaign also has brought initiatives relating to free textbook access, food produce, and mental health to the attention of University community members, who in turn have gone to great lengths to solidify these initiatives.

Submissions for gift ideas will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14. A group of students, faculty and administrators will then craft a pool of feasible gift ideas that will then be voted on by the 2019 senior class. Voting will begin Oct. 14 and come to an end on Oct. 19. The gift announcement will take place in the HUB on Oct. 24.

Follow the Class Gift Campaign on social media to learn more about how to get involved:

  • Twitter: @PSUClassGift
  • Facebook: Penn State Class Gift Campaign
  • Instagram: psuclassgift
Last Updated August 22, 2018