HUB-Robeson Center Dedication Honors PSU President, Performer/Activist

April 10, 2000

University Park, Pa. --- The name, "HUB-Robeson Center," pays tribute to the ideals and accomplishments of two exceptional Americans — Ralph Dorn Hetzel, the 10th Penn State President, and Paul Robeson, singer/actor/activist.

The two men will be honored in a dedication ceremony of the completed renovation and expansion of the HUB-Robeson Center, at 5 p.m., Friday, April 14. The project has been in the planning stages since the early 1990s and started construction in 1997, coming to a conclusion this spring semester.

Hetzel, who served as Penn State’s president from 1927 to his death in 1947, was a champion of student government, recognizing that capable leadership in government and society resulted from the education of responsible young people on campuses across the United States. His presidency also oversaw the expansion of this campus and the forerunners of the Commonwealth Campuses across the state. He led the effort to strengthen undergraduate education and emphasize graduate education.

Robeson was a true "Renaissance" man, active as a lawyer, singer, actor, writer, and activist. He used his artistic and intellectual talents to fight racial and religious injustice and bigotry, and support organized labor and international peace. Outspoken on progressive causes in the 1940s, he endured attacks from the media and the government but overcame them to become a champion of civil rights and justice.

"The Hetzel Union and the Paul Robeson Cultural Center represent the community gathering place of the University Park campus, where our students come together and learn from each other during their college careers," said William Asbury, vice president for student affairs. "Students, faculty, staff and visitors are able to share in the University’s diversity and its intellectual and cultural life. Through such extracurricular activity, our students are able to develop character, citizenship and social responsibility."

The project added 91,000 square feet to the existing HUB, which comprised 154,000 square feet, and included a new and connected Robeson Cultural Center. New features included expanded study space and food services, additional meeting and event space, more student organization space, art galleries, and a new Pollock Road entrance.

Designed by WTW Architects of Pittsburgh, the Center is also connected to the Penn State Bookstore and houses two senior class gifts: an outdoor terrace for studying and dining sponsored by the Class of 1998 and the development of two fish aquariums, courtesy of the Class of 1999. This spring semester, the student ID card office has returned to the first floor, the Penn State Federal Credit Union has joined the Center on the first floor and final renovations are wrapping up on the HUB Alumni Hall.

The HUB was originally built in 1953 and underwent major renovations in 1973 and 1983. But By 1985, the HUB had again reached full capacity. Prior to the newest construction project, the HUB had been serving more than 25,000 people daily and nearly 7,000 events annually.

The Robeson Center began as the Black Cultural Center in 1971 and was housed in the Walnut Building nearly two blocks away from the HUB. The building has thrived as an active cultural center for minority students and hosted many national prominent speakers. Each year, the Center hosted more than 24,000 visitors and 500 events.

The total project is financed with funds generated by a portion of the University Park student activity fee, private support and University funds. The total project is estimated at least $34 million.

As part of the dedication, several exhibits on related topics are on display: "Paul Robeson: Photographs by Julius Lazarus," the Robeson Gallery; "Abstracting the Landscape: Paintings and Prints by Ralph Hetzel Jr.," son of President Hetzel and a former Board of Trustees member, HUB Gallery; and "WTW Architects: Designing the HUB-Robeson Center from Concept to Completion," Art Alley. Receptions for the artists will follow the dedication’s conclusion.

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Contact:

Vicki Fong (814) 865-9481 (o)/ (814) 238-1221 (h)