Retiring Blue Band Director Dr. O. Richard Bundy will receive yet another accolade following his long career: being the namesake of the band’s 11-year old building.

“Though it will not be official until it is approved by the Board of Trustees, I am pleased to announce that pending final approval, the Blue Band Building in the future will be rechristened and known as the Richard Bundy Blue Band Building,” said College of Arts and Architecture Dean Barbara Korner at the annual Blue Band Banquet.

Following the surprise announcement, the room erupted in applause for a visibly humbled Bundy, which can be seen in a video courtesy of Annemarie Mountz:

Bundy played as a trombonist in the Blue Band and graduated from Penn State in 1970 with a degree in music education. He returned to the University in 1980 as the band’s graduate assistant following a stint in the Army. Bundy was named the acting assistant director of the Blue Band in 1983 and eventually was named director in 1996, the position he held until his retirement this year.

“His dedication to securing fantastic facilities for the Blue Band will be one of the lasting components of his extraordinary legacy,” said Blue Band President Stephen Payne. “Most of all, walking into the building will always be a constant reminder to future generations of Blue Band members of the complete and total devotion of one man to better a program.”

Dr. Bundy’s speech thanking the organization and its fans can be seen below courtesy of Dean Devore:

Photo By: Annemarie Mountz