Celebrate a life. Commemorate a milestone. Support a legacy.

Memorial and honorary gifts are a meaningful way to honor someone’s memory or to mark a special occasion—such as a birthday, anniversary, or retirement—while advancing the mission of Penn State Behrend. These gifts not only pay tribute to those who matter most but also make a lasting impact on the Penn State Behrend community.

You may make a memorial or honorary gift through several thoughtful giving options:

  • Cash donations
  • Appreciated securities
  • Real estate
  • Tangible personal property

You can direct your gift to areas that reflect your honoree’s passions and values—such as student scholarships, groundbreaking research, or campus enhancements—ensuring that your tribute creates a legacy of opportunity and excellence.

Expand each section below to learn more.

Create a lasting legacy in honor of someone special.

A named endowment is a powerful way to honor or memorialize a loved one while making a permanent impact at Penn State. These enduring gifts—typically established through larger contributions—provide ongoing support for the areas that matter most to you and your honoree.

You can establish a named endowment to support:

  • Student Scholarships – Open doors for future generations of Penn Staters.
  • Faculty Positions – Attract and retain world-class educators and researchers.
  • Academic Programs – Enrich the learning experience across disciplines.
  • Research Initiatives – Fuel innovation and discovery that changes lives.

Each named endowment becomes a living tribute, advancing Penn State Behrend’s mission for generations to come.

Shape the future while honoring the past.

Planned gifts—such as bequests or other estate contributions—can be made in someone’s name to create a lasting legacy at Penn State Behrend. These thoughtful gifts can be structured to support the college in the years to come, while also offering potential tax advantages for the donor. It’s a meaningful way to ensure your values—and those of your honoree—live on through future generations.

For more information, contact us at 814-898-6159 or [email protected].

Development and Alumni Relations
Penn State Behrend
Logan House
4125 Station Road
Erie, PA  16563-0107

Leave a visible, lasting tribute on campus.

Penn State Behrend offers a variety of commemorative opportunities that allow you to honor someone in a tangible and enduring way. These tributes not only beautify the campus but also serve as daily reminders of the people and stories that shape our community.

Options include:

  • Benches or Trees – Placed on campus with personalized plaques.
  • Named Spaces – Classrooms, labs, or other campus areas named in recognition of your gift (available at various giving levels).

Female student sitting on bench while talking on phone

Honor a loved one or commemorate a special occasion with a commemorative bench and plaque. Each package includes a bench, a personalized plaque, and installation.

Bench Options & Pricing:

  • 6-foot bench: $3,500*
  • 8-foot bench: $3,700*
    *price as of fiscal year 2025, subject to change.

Plaque Details:

  • A standard 2” x 10” plaque will be mounted on the backrest of the bench.
  • The plaque may include the following customizable text:

Optional Line 1 (choose one):

  • In memory of [name of the person being honored]
  • To commemorate [name of the person being honored] 
  • In celebration of [name of the person being honored]

Optional Line 2:

  • Gift of [name of individual or organization making the gift]

Acknowledgment

Every gift matters—and every donor is appreciated.

To recognize your generosity, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations will send a personalized letter of appreciation for each memorial or honorary gift. This acknowledgment not only expresses our gratitude but also affirms the impact your tribute is making at Penn State Behrend.

Tree with plaque

Celebrate a life or commemorate a special occasion with a living tribute. Each commemorative tree package includes a beautiful tree, a personalized plaque, and professional planting.

Cost:
Standard Tree Package: $1,000*
*price as of fiscal year 2025, subject to change.
(Includes tree, plaque, and planting)

Plaque Details:
A 4” x 6” plaque will be placed at the base of the tree and may include the following information:

  • Common Tree Name
  • Scientific Tree Name
  • Tree Family
  • State Tree of [name of state] (if applicable)

Optional Personalization:

Line 1 (choose one):

  • In memory of [name of the person being honored]
  • To commemorate [name of the person being honored]
  • In celebration of [name of the person being honored]

Line 2:

  • Gift of [name of individual or organization making the gift]

Acknowledgment

Every gift matters—and every donor is appreciated.

To recognize your generosity, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations will send a personalized letter of appreciation for each memorial or honorary gift. This acknowledgment not only expresses our gratitude but also affirms the impact your tribute is making at Penn State Behrend.

Cultivating beauty. Inspiring sustainability.

Contributions to the Arboretum and Landscape Fund help preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Penn State Behrend campus. These gifts support ongoing efforts to create sustainable, welcoming outdoor spaces that enrich the educational experience and provide a peaceful environment for students, faculty, and visitors alike. Make a gift.

To help honor your loved one’s memory, you may choose to request gifts in their name. The following is suggested text for use in an obituary.

Memorial donations in Name’s memory may be directed to Penn State Behrend by check to Logan House, 4125 Station Rd, Erie, PA 16563, with Name in the memo line or online at raise.psu.edu/PennStateBehrend and selecting "This gift is in honor or memory of someone."