Speeches

The Aboretum at Penn State Groundbreaking

This is a historic day for Penn State and one that dates back to long before any of us ever set foot on this property--In fact, it goes back so far that even Joe Paterno wasn't coaching at the time.

The year was 1914, and the Board of Trustees and Penn State's seventh president, Edwin Sparks, first introduced a proposal to create an Arboretum at Penn State. The idea of protecting green space and preserving the natural beauty of campus was truly visionary at the time. It also prompted the University to begin the process of designating land for this important purpose.

Today we celebrate the groundbreaking of the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens and the Arboretum.

Over the past few years, many of you have joined us for groundbreakings for a number of extraordinary new research and teaching facilities in this area of campus, such as the Business Building, the Forest Resources Building and the law school's Lewis Katz Building. Each of those buildings was oriented to provide picturesque views of the gardens planned for this site.

I take special pride in the realization of this project because it is a part of a larger initiative to enhance the natural beauty of our campus.

While much of our recent attention has been dedicated to buildings, a large part of our work has focused on the spaces between them. We have devoted significant resources to creating a landscape that is memorable and meaningful.

Penn State's Office of the Physical Plant has upgraded campus gardens and, in the last 10 years, planted almost 3,000 trees, including the magnificent Hosler Oak that was dedicated two years ago.

The great landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead believed in "the restorative powers of nature" and its ability to improve the lives of people.

The Penn State Arboretum, with its connection to the network of green spaces on campus, will engage us intellectually and physically. It embodies our mission of teaching, research and service, and will further Penn State's efforts in stewardship and conservation in the region.

Now, I would like to recognize some of the people who have made this momentous day possible.

First, on behalf of Penn State, I want to thank Charles "Skip" Smith, a 1948 graduate of Penn State's College of Engineering.

As many of you know, Penn State was able to begin Phase I of the Arboretum as a result of Skip's generous gift in honor of his late father, Harry, who was better known as H.O.

H.O. was a Penn State alumnus--class of 1920, a Penn State faculty member, successful businessman, and founder of the State College Construction Company and H.O. Smith and Sons, a local development and rental company. 

In the naming of the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, the Smith family creates a fitting tribute to a father who gave his sons a gift of knowledge about trees, flowers and shrubs, along with his love of Penn State. Within the gardens will be special named features in honor of Kathryn B. Smith, Joan M. Smith, and Margery E. Smith. Thank you, Skip, for choosing to honor your family in this way.

I would also like to recognize the members of the Arboretum's steering committee--Penn State Deans Bob Steele, Dan Larson, David Wormley, Bill Easterling, Barbara Korner, and Eva Pell. Thank you for your continuing efforts on behalf of this project.

Now I would now like to turn the podium over to Jim Broadhurst, chairman of Penn State's Board of Trustees. Jim is chairman and CEO of Eat 'N Park Hospitality Group, as well as a Penn State Distinguished Alumnus, and a great friend to Penn State.