Campus Life

Marsh Meadow Boardwalk, 2010 class gift, dedicated at the Arboretum

The Marsh Meadow Boardwalk at the Arboretum at Penn State, a gift of the class of 2010. Credit: Geoff Hallett. All Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State recently dedicated the 2010 senior class gift, the Marsh Meadow Boardwalk, located at the Arboretum at Penn State on the University Park campus. The boardwalk provides a path to the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens over the scenic Ramage Marsh Meadow, from the sidewalk along the north side of Park Avenue.

"The idea of a simple, but well-designed, path providing access to the many visitors walking into the Arboretum from campus was intriguing and seeing it built has surpassed all of our expectations," said Michael Lampariello, alumnus and overall chair of the 2010 class gift committee, at the dedication. "Working on a project of this nature and see it come to fruition has been an incredible experience."

"Some of the University’s most important campus landmarks have been Senior Class Gifts," added Lampariello. "The gifts serve as a physical representation of the graduating classes’ legacy, but also contribute to the character and cultural heritage of the campus."

Arboretum Director and professor of forest biology Kim Steiner called the boardwalk a "beautiful piece of architecture," saying that the three years of careful design, planning and construction were well worth it.

"We have achieved a class gift whose popularity and beauty of design and materials are -- I think -- fully a match for the expectations and enthusiasm of the graduating seniors who gave their money for this project," said Steiner.

Lampariello said the amount raised by the class gift campaign for the boardwalk was the largest ever for a class gift at Penn State -- approximately 2,700 graduating students contributed more than $200,000 for the project.

Penn State's 2010 class gift committee includes Lampariello, overall chair; Amanda Estep, student relations chair; Emily Hebner, events chair; Jenny Lubkin, marketing chair; Kyle Lutes, gift development chair; and Alyssa Rosenblum, communications chair.

Last Updated July 17, 2013

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