UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State’s 2014 Senior Class Gift Committee announced today (Oct. 23) that the class has chosen to support the HUB Green Roof Terrace as its gift to the University. The announcement ceremony was held in the HUB-Robeson Center’s Heritage Hall on the University Park campus.
"The longstanding tradition of the senior class gift is one of the most meaningful and memorable at Penn State," said President Rodney Erickson, who accepted the gift on behalf of the University. "Class gifts go well beyond providing a tangible symbol of the loyalty and pride of a class; the class gift connects your class to every Penn State class before you.
"I know it will be an inviting space that will add to the beauty and functionality of the renovated HUB," he noted. "I’m proud of all you do for Penn State, and I’m pleased to celebrate this wonderful gift from the Class of 2014."
The seniors' gift will enhance and expand the HUB's green roof terrace, part of the current HUB expansion and renovation. The new terrace will provide additional seating as well as more space for organizational programming. The green roof will help advance sustainable architecture and design on campus and will provide several key environmental benefits, including reducing the heat island affect that traditional roofs create, allowing for better management of storm water and creating a new habitat for plants, birds and insects.
“I'm really excited that the Class of 2014 chose the HUB Green Roof Terrace as their legacy to this University," said Katia Esarey, class gift committee overall chair. "The terrace will be useful and beautiful for generation of students and alumni to enjoy. In order to make it the strongest gift possible, we ask that seniors continue pledging all or part of their $100 general deposit.”
Among more than 150 gift proposals initially submitted, the HUB Green Roof Terrace was one of three finalists voted on by seniors.
If at least 3,000 seniors pledge to the class gift by the end of the spring semester, Penn State alumni and benefactors Edward and Helen Hintz will endow a $50,000 Trustee Scholarship in the name of the class of 2014.
Members of the Senior Class Gift Committee will be soliciting pledges through events, e-mails, and phone calls to students graduating in May, August or December 2014. Seniors also are encouraged to make a gift at www.SeniorClassGift.psu.edu online.
The 2014 Senior Class Gift Committee includes Katia Esarey, overall chair; Danae Blasso, communications chair; Marcy Herr, student relations chair; Devron Lovick, gift development chair; Lucas Sobchack, fundraising chair; Heather Wolfe, events chair; and Lotus Zhou, marketing chair.
For more information, visit www.SeniorClassGift.psu.edu. Questions can be directed to Geoff Hallett, senior class gift adviser, at gdh15@psu.edu or 814-865-0198.