The Arboretum at Penn State is a very special place to Dennis Hall ‘85 M Ed and Sandra Parker Hall ‘87 M Ed. Dennis shared, “We feel very fortunate to have watched the Arboretum grow in concept and design and become a beloved destination. We are happy that we are able to share our knowledge with others when we give a tour and spend time with families in the Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden.”
Their love for State College, Pennsylvania began in 1977 when they moved to the area and made it their home and community. “Living in State College as retirees, we feel fortunate to have time to volunteer in the H. O. Smith Botanic Gardens at the Arboretum at Penn State,” said Sandy.
Their volunteerism at Penn State began in 2014 when they were invited to join the College of Agricultural Sciences’ campaign committee during the Greater Penn State campaign. Dennis shared, “We met with donors, provided tours of the gardens, and participated in other related docent activities.” As tour guides, Dennis and Sandra have had the opportunity to share the story and history of the Arboretum and have learned how meaningful it is to visitors. “A father and child were walking quickly through the rose garden to get to their next location. They stopped and I shared information about the lamb’s ear plant. Both felt the soft leaf and suddenly slowed their pace. They were no longer in a hurry and took time to enjoy the plants, each other, and their present surroundings,” said Dennis. Sandy also shared, “We were giving a tour of the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens to a donor family and when we came to the tree their family had dedicated, the sister was overjoyed at seeing ‘Momma’s tree’. The joy the family shared because they could be a part of the Arboretum and Penn State was very special to witness.”
Dennis and Sandra grew up in north-central Pennsylvania and came from working-class families. They learned the value of work as well as the role of financial responsibility, which is why philanthropy and the ability to give back is so important to them. “In our careers with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State Extension, we often worked with families, young children, and students. So, when the opportunity arose to support the development of the Children’s Garden through the installation of In and Out Creek and ‘Parker’ the caterpillar bench, we were happy to honor and remember our parents for the values they instilled in us.” In 2014, Dennis and Sandra established the Sandra L. Parker Hall and Dennis K. Hall Educational Program Support Endowment to the Children’s Garden to ensure free children’s programming at the Arboretum. They wanted everyone to have the opportunity to visit and enjoy the Arboretum, regardless of their financial situation. Dennis and Sandra have been long-time supporters of Penn State and in 2020, the couple established the Sandra L. Parker Hall and Dennis K. Hall Educational Equity Scholarship through the now-concluded Educational Equity Matching Program.
The Halls have had many great experiences at the Arboretum at Penn State and have enjoyed spending their time volunteering at the gardens. Dennis shared, “We observed via webcam the Arboretum’s first tree, the Hosler Oak, being planted in 2005, attended the opening of the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens at the Arboretum in 2009, celebrated Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden opening in 2014, and were delighted with the 2021 Pollinator and Bird Garden addition.” Having witnessed the growth of the Arboretum over the years, Dennis and Sandy are thrilled to share this beautiful place with so many and hope that people will discover something about themselves, their children, and the gardens while visiting. “We have met visitors both from Pennsylvania and across the globe. We often hear that the Arboretum has become a cherished destination for so many.”
Inspired by Dennis and Sandy’s service to Penn State?
Give to the Endowment for the Arboretum at Penn State
Give to the Endowment for Pollinator Educational Programming at The Arboretum at Penn State