Penn State Intercom......November 7, 2002

HUB-Robeson mural
chosen as class gift

By Laura Stocker
University Relations

The class of 2003 has chosen to depict the University's history in paint on the walls of the HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus for its senior class gift. Seniors have pledged nearly $8,800 so far to the HUB-Robeson Center Historical Mural project.

Colleen Hyland, chair of the 2003 Senior Class Gift Committee, explained that the mural will show various years of Penn State's history, noting important people, events and milestones since the University's founding in 1855. By placing this mural in a high-traffic area like the HUB, Hyland noted, a great number of students, visitors, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to learn about how Penn State has grown into one of the most respected universities in the country.

"A surprising number of students don't know very much about the history of Penn State, so this is an exciting way to bring the University's history and tradition to life for everyone," she said. "I am very happy to be able to be involved in the development of this project from the beginning to the end."

A committee of students, faculty and staff will work with the HUB-Robeson Center and the Palmer Museum of Art to select a qualified artist to paint the mural, and to choose a location within the HUB.

"The HUB-Robeson Center is a second home for students at Penn State, and the best location for a mural like this one," said William Asbury, vice president for Student Affairs. "All of the earlier class gifts that are located in and around the HUB, including the terrace, the aquariums, the Peace Garden -- and now the historical mural -- are quality additions and enhance student life."

"This year's gift is extremely fitting because in less than two years, Penn State will celebrate its sesquicentennial -- 150 years of growth and excellence," said President Graham B. Spanier. "This mural will not only be a work of art, but also an educational tool that can highlight the important role Penn State has played in Pennsylvania and the world. It also will serve to engage our students more fully in the life and history of our University."

About 1,200 seniors cast ballots Oct. 21-25 in person and online, with 50 percent choosing to vote via the Web. The winning proposal was submitted by Melissa Chestney (class of 2002), and was chosen over two other proposals -- an alumni garden at the Hintz Family Alumni Center and the replacement and preservation of benches originally given by the Class of 1900.

Most of the funding for class gifts comes from seniors pledging the balance of their general deposit. The University holds general deposits for each student to cover unforeseen expenses, fees and emergency costs.

Seniors have been making class gifts to the University for more than 100 years, beginning when seniors from the class of 1861, at their reunion in 1890, gave the University a portrait of Penn State's first president, Evan Pugh, that still hangs today in the lobby of Old Main. More recent gifts include historic "shepherd's crook" lamps to light campus walkways (class of 2001) and historic street clocks (class of 2002).

To see a list of gifts given by previous senior classes, check the Web at http://www.seniorclassgift.psu.edu.

Back