The Pattee Mall between Old Main and Willard Building has been busy with construction over the past few weeks. It’s not just some routine maintenance by OPP, as the workers have been busily completing the seating area that makes up an important part of the 2009 Senior Class Gift.

Today, the restored Old Main Bell was put in place at the new site. The next step in the process is for OPP to finish the concrete walkways that surround the seating area. The gift will be dedicated on Friday, April 23rd at 10:15 AM.

In attendance at the ceremony will be President Spanier, Martha Jordan (Volunteer Chair for the Office of Annual Giving), and Avery Peechatka (2009 Senior Class Gift Communications Overall). As part of the event, they will ring the bell and say a few words. At the same ceremony, the completion of the 2005 and 2008 Senior Class Gifts will also be recognized.

In an email, Jordan Ford, Assistant Director of the Penn State Office of Annual Giving, let us know that “There were 2,547 donors from the Class of 2009 who pledged $199,429.81, which is the highest amount ever raised by a class gift campaign. About 87% of that money was pledged to the Old Main bell restoration project; the rest was pledged to student organizations, colleges, and campuses.”

[Photo Credit: Kari Haffelfinger]