The public is invited to the formal dedication of the Barbara O. and James R. Korner Tower Terrace, located under the water tower between the Stuckeman Family and Theatre buildings, at 2 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the terrace. The terrace is being named for the Korners in honor of their leadership and commitment to Penn State during their 12 years at the University.
Barbara Korner will retire as dean of the College of Arts and Architecture on June 30, 2019. A national leader in arts in higher education, Dean Korner has played a key role in the University’s efforts to establish Penn State as a cultural destination, and she championed the development of the “arts district” concept on the University Park campus to provide greater visibility for the arts and design disciplines.
In 2016, when the University announced the water tower needed to be replaced in order to meet regulations for water quality and quantity, Dean Korner—always an advocate for “bringing arts and design to the table”—proposed that architecture and landscape architecture faculty offer some design options for the tower and surrounding space. When the new tower was completed, it included a functional terrace under the tower, which had been one of the faculty’s suggestions. Since then the terrace has been used as a study space and lunch spot, as well as a location for College of Arts and Architecture events.
James Korner, who retired in April, most recently served as special assistant to the senior vice president for finance and business. He was also an adjunct instructor in the School of Hospitality Management and an assistant vice president in Outreach and Online Education.