Alumni couple’s love of Arboretum inspires naming of Rose and Fragrance Garden

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A Penn State alumnus and alumna, who wish to remain anonymous, recently made an irrevocable estate commitment of $1.5 million to name the Rose and Fragrance Garden at the Arboretum at Penn State.

According to the couple, theirs is a love story about a rose garden and also about two people who were destined to find each other there. Their passion for the garden, and the University, started independently and years ago. Separate life choices took the two State College natives, and Penn State alumni, down different paths — and to different cities. Yet years later, their love for each other ignited in the place where they each found solace.

“We both grew up in State College. There was an experimental rose garden where the Arboretum is now. Our parents each worked for Penn State and independently took us there,” said one of the donors. “But we didn’t know each other then.”

The couple reconnected and began dating, although they were still living in different cities. “We were both invited to a donor event when the Arboretum was first established. Neither of us had been to the Arboretum,” said one of them. “We were dating each other by then, and when we went up there, we thought wow, this place is amazing!”

As they watched the Arboretum take shape, the Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden made a big impression on them.

“I used to be an elementary school teacher so the way that whole garden is geared towards children, even the height of all the exhibits, and it really grabbed us. Combined with meeting the dedicated staff, it made a huge impression,” she said.

‘A special spot’

“We weren't married yet, but we both did naming opportunities at the Arboretum, and that's when we started a pattern of going up there. We visited to decompress and relax,” he said. “We had a special spot in the Rose and Fragrance Garden. We would always sit in the terrace areas because it's a little more remote, a little more private. Now we go up there all the time. It's our little sanctuary.”

They said they became more committed — supporting the Arboretum and other Penn State initiatives including the Palmer Museum of Art and THON — and were also becoming more committed to their relationship. But they were still living in separate cities.

“We were visiting the Rose and Fragrance Garden one day and went to our usual spot and sat there for a while. And she said, ‘Are you ready to go?’ I said, ‘Yeah, but let's wait a little bit longer,’” he said. “I could tell she was wondering, ‘What's going on here — it's cold!’ It was in November, but I was waiting for people to disappear so that I could propose to her.”

“And then he got down on one knee,” she said.

“Yeah," he said. "I got down on one knee and gave her an engagement ring that had belonged to my great grandmother. It has two diamonds in it, and we always say we are like two peas in a pod."

“We got engaged at the Arboretum," she said. "It wasn't the first wedding for either of us, and we decided we didn't need a big wedding. We planned to have a small gathering at the Arboretum. Then COVID hit, and we were not permitted to have a wedding anywhere, for quite a while!”

The couple said they ended up doing a very small, outdoor wedding at a time of great uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To include the Arboretum in our big day,” he said, “we worked with an artist to design our wedding rings with a rose positioned between two Nittany Lions. That all kind of cast the die for us, and our passion for the Arboretum. It continues to grow, along with our love for each other.”

‘A gift of peace and passion’

“We started to talk with Casey Sclar, H.O. Smith Endowed Director of The Arboretum at Penn State, and its Director of Development Patrick Williams, about doing something to further support the Arboretum, and thus was born the idea of doing the naming of the Rose and Fragrance Garden,” she explained. “We hope others will think about searching their hearts and consider an estate gift that brings them joy. That’s why our plans include the Arboretum. We also hope others will find their peace and their passion by visiting it.”

Ultimately, the couple chose to make an irrevocable estate commitment, which means they can experience the joy of naming the garden during their lifetimes even though the gift commitment will be fulfilled through their estate plans.

“We encourage others who wish to support Penn State to reach out,” he said. “Without a conversation with the development staff, we never would have understood the breadth of ways to give back to Penn State both during our lifetimes and after that still prioritized our own financial planning.”

According to Larry Terry II, vice president for Penn State Outreach, the couple’s gift tells a story not only of their commitment to each other, but also of their community vision: “A true community resource, The Arboretum is a place for all,” he said. “The couple’s extraordinary philanthropy supports its future as a place of teaching, research, leisure, and reflection with visitors to the Rose and Fragrance Garden creating their own stories there.”

“Every time I hear their story, I’m filled with joy,” Casey said. “Quiet moments among beauty sought individually, shared together, or shared for a lifetime with family and friends is what the Arboretum is. It’s about plants, and people. We welcome you to experience it. Who knows where its paths will lead you?”

About the Arboretum at Penn State

The Arboretum at Penn State is a unit of Penn State Outreach. Visit the Arboretum's website to learn more about visiting, rentals for weddings or other events, and its many programs, events and initiatives.

Planned gifts to the Arboretum advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.