Foundry Park, Class Of 1995 Gift, Dedicated Today

5-12-97
University Park, Pa. -- Alumni, faculty and staff gathered today (May 12) to witness the official dedication of Foundry Park, a gift of the Class of 1995.

With its trees, bushes and flowers all in place for the first time, the one-acre park is fast becoming a treasured green space located behind University House and Hammond Building at the site of the former Foundry Building. It also contains benches, grassy areas and a reconditioned crucible once used by the University for melting iron.

Foundry Park has received $106,390 in gifts from 2,547 members of the 1995 graduating class.

"Not only is giving toward a senior class gift a hallowed tradition, but this gift in particular recognizes Penn State's contributions to historic Pennsylvania industries," said April Campbell, who chaired the gift committee as an undergraduate majoring in Spanish and international business.

Campbell traveled from Eugene, Oregon, to speak during today's ceremony. A native of Atlanta, Ga., she recently completed her second year of law school at the University of Oregon.

Dr. John A. Brighton, executive vice president and provost of Penn State, formally accepted the gift on behalf of the University. "The first response of many people was to use this space as a parking lot when the Foundry Building was beyond repair, but the Class of 1995 understood the real opportunity here," Brighton said. "They stepped in with financial support to make this place of beauty and function possible. Generations of Penn Staters will enjoy this park."

The Foundry Building originally located on the park site was built in 1911 from the remains of a dismantled temporary residence hall and used to help train students as leaders in metallurgy, and in the industrial, mechanical and electrical engineering industries. The building was removed in 1989 and the space became a gravel lot until the park construction began.

**gwc**