Trustees OK Pollock, Boucke projects
The board approved the next phase of Penn State's ongoing effort to renovate the Pollock Residence Halls complex at the University Park campus, allotting $79.8 million for Phase 3B of the project to renew Hiester and Shulze halls.
Hiester and Shulze both opened in 1960. In addition to replacing outdated building systems, the renovation will provide new amenities for students such as air conditioning and shared private bathrooms. The halls are designed to encourage social interaction, and provide adequate study rooms for residents as well as accessibility upgrades.
The Pollock complex renovation kicked off in 2025 with the renewal of Ritner and Wolf residence halls, both of which are scheduled to be completed this summer.
Trustees also approved a $19.4 million plan to update Boucke Building at the University Park campus. The building’s renewal will focus on replacing aging infrastructure and increasing energy efficiency.
Plans call for replacing Boucke’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, as well as windows throughout the building.
Children’s Hospital named
The board approved the proposed naming of the Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pennsylvania, as the “Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital.”
The naming of the hospital is in recognition of a $50 million gift from philanthropist, entrepreneur and civic leader Tom Golisano.
Three granted trustee emeritus title
The board granted three former trustees — Abraham Amorós, Edward B. Brown III and M. Abraham Harpster — the honorary title of trustee emeritus.
Trustees who have served on the board for nine years or more with distinction are considered by the board’s nominating subcommittee for the honorary title.
During its session, the board also:
- Approved the sale of approximately five acres of vacant land at Foxhill Road and Fillmore Road in Patton and Benner townships near the University Park campus for $450,000.
- Approved the sale of approximately 17 acres at Kuhl Road and I-90 East in Harborcreek Township in Erie, Pennsylvania, for $32,000.
In his remarks, board chair David Kleppinger recognized a number of recent successes for Penn State Athletics, including women’s hockey participants in the 2026 Winter Olympics, the historic men’s and women’s ice hockey games played at Beaver Stadium, and the fall academic achievements of Penn State student-athletes, among other achievements.
Kleppinger also thanked Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro for recommending a $30 million allocation for the newly created State-Related University Performance Fund for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which if approved by the General Assembly, would be distributed to Penn State and other state-related universities using performance-based metrics focused on student success outcomes, affordability and workforce development.
President’s updates
As University President Neeli Bendapudi opened her remarks, she congratulated Penn State women’s ice hockey student-athlete Tessa Janecke for winning gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics as part of Team USA’s women’s ice hockey team.
Bendapudi also thanked Shapiro for his support of the proposed performance-based funding model. She will appear before the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee on March 11 to discuss the University’s funding with legislators.
The president discussed the University’s recently announced investments in the field of artificial intelligence. The central investments will expand enterprise tools, accelerate faculty cluster hiring and new AI leadership roles, provide upskilling and training for employees, and aim to ensure students graduate with essential AI literacy skills.
Bendapudi also lauded Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s 100% three-year survival rate among patients who received heart transplants between January 2020 and June 2022. She said during the same period, the national average survival rate was 85%.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for May 7-8 at the University Park campus. Find dates and information for all upcoming scheduled meetings on the board’s website.