UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s class of 2019 has chosen as its class gift legacy the Pollinators’ Garden Entry Gate at the Arboretum at Penn State.

The 2019 Class Gift Committee made the announcement on Oct. 24 at an event held in the HUB-Robeson Center, in front of the Monumental Staircase. Seniors voted during the week of Oct. 15-19.

“I am un-BEE-lievably happy to announce the Class of 2019 has chosen to support the Pollinators’ Garden Entry Gate!” said Tom Beeby, committee executive director, to an appreciative crowd. “This entry gate will provide a beautiful and unique experience for visitors; inviting them to explore and learn the importance of pollination in our environment.”

The forthcoming garden is the result of a partnership with the Center for Pollinator Research at Penn State to create a one-of-a-kind garden with the ambitious goal of attracting every pollinator species in the region. The garden will implement the latest understanding of native plant selection and habitat creation to create a beautiful and pleasant landscape, one that will educate visitors and improve people’s understanding of pollinators' role in agriculture and food production.

After Beeby gave his remarks, he handed the microphone over to Rich Bundy, Penn State’s vice president for Development and Alumni Relations.

“The class gift connects your class to every Penn State before you and every Penn State class that comes after you,” said Bundy.

“The class of 2019 will leave a lasting imprint on a treasured campus resource,” said Bundy. “To offer a little context on this gift: The Arboretum will soon fulfill its long-standing vision for a garden that will attract pollinator species of birds and insects. With construction scheduled to begin in 2019, the new Pollinators’ Garden will advance research that will help to counteract the decline in native pollinator populations, an issue that affects all of us, because all of us depend on pollinators for food.”

Penn State’s class gift tradition began when graduates of the class of 1861, at their 1890 reunion, gave the University a portrait of Penn State’s first president, Evan Pugh, which still hangs in the lobby of Old Main.

Members of the Class Gift Campaign will be soliciting gifts through events, emails and phone calls to students graduating in May, August or December 2019. Seniors can also make a gift at www.raise.psu.edu/classgift19 online.

The 2019 Class Gift Campaign Executive Committee members are Tom Beeby, executive director; Jack Davenport, communications; Will Dunn, communications; Ann Thoet, fundraising; Nick Pazuchanics, events/logistics; and Katie Solomon, student outreach.