Days commit $1 million to Arboretum at Penn State
October 23, 2008
University Park, Pa. -- Plans long in the making for a children's garden at the Arboretum at Penn State may be realized sooner than anticipated, thanks to a $1 million endowed gift from State College native Marcia Udine Day and her late husband, Robert J. Day, to support Arboretum programs related to the special interests of children and youth.
"I anticipate that we will apply the Days' generous gift to the Children's Garden, which has been included as an element of the Arboretum since the beginning," said Kim Steiner, director of the Arboretum. "We'll begin working this year with a design firm that has special expertise in gardens of this kind. It is our hope that the Days' gift will encourage others to support this important project and make the Children's Garden the next major addition to the Arboretum."
Marcia Udine Day graduated from Penn State in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in home economics. Robert Day, a Sharon native, was a State College High School graduate and received a bachelor's degree from the University in 1947. In 1950 he joined the United States Gypsum Corp. in Chicago, working his way up through various managerial positions including president, CEO and chairman until his retirement in 1990. The couple's gift was part of their estate plans, finalized before Robert Day's death in 1998.
Marcia's brother, Keith Udine, also is a Penn State alumnus, having graduated from the University in 1950 with a bachelor's degree and in 1955 with a master's degree in animal industry.
Previous philanthropy to the University from the Days includes gifts to the Penn State Educational Partnership Program in the Pittsburgh area and for undergraduate scholarships.
According to Steiner, funds from the Days' endowment also could support a variety of Arboretum activities for children and youth, including demonstrations, interactive educational programs, and special events.
“I see the Arboretum's Children's Garden as a place for young children to engage in hands-on interaction with plants and nature, and a place for parents and grandparents to enjoy themselves and enjoy time with their children,” he said.
Occupying nearly 400 acres between Park Avenue and the Mount Nittany Expressway on the University Park campus, the Arboretum at Penn State will be open to the public. Construction is officially under way, with completion of the first phase scheduled for spring 2009. The Arboretum will be funded almost entirely by philanthropic support, and is expected to be a major cultural and tourist destination in central Pennsylvania, attracting nearly 200,000 visitors annually. Visit http://www.arboretum.psu.edu to learn more.
Contact
Laura Stocker Waldhier
E-mail:
lsp1@psu.edu
814-863-4512