Ever since a portrait of the first Penn State President Evan Pugh was given as a gift by the class of 1861, most graduating senior classes have followed the tradition by giving gifts of their own.

This year's senior class continued the tradition by voting to fund a Celebration Garden at Rec Hall.

The winner of the vote was announced at 11 a.m. yesterday on the HUB-Robeson Center's ground floor and presented to Penn State President Graham Spanier.

The gift will improve the area near the main entrance with a garden and seating.

Out of about 2,800 votes, the Celebration Garden was a "clear winner," said Laura Unger, the communications chairwoman for the senior class gift committee.

Now that the gift has been decided, a gift development committee will be formed to work with the Office of Physical Plant to formulate more detailed plans.

If the committee has specific things in mind for the project, the physical plant tries to incorporate those ideas into the design.

"Input from students is invaluable," said Tom Flynn, landscape architect for the Office of Physical Plant.

Although no plans for the design of the garden have been finalized, possible ideas include commemorating historic events that have taken place at Rec Hall -- such as athletic championships, the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon and Martin Luther King Jr.'s visit.

Because of its proximity to the Lion Shrine and the Nittany Lion Inn, the garden will be seen by many visitors, Jordan Ford, overall chairman for the class gift committee, said.

"It really needed to be updated," said Tom Ritter (senior-kinesiology), who voted for the Celebration Garden.

Funding for the Garden came from general student deposits or cash donations.

Upon admission to Penn State, students give the university a general deposit of $100 to cover emergency expenses. If this deposit is not used as a student, it can be donated to support the senior gift.

About $30,000 has already been collected, Ford said.

The 2007 senior class gift committee selected the three finalists from about 30 proposals from students, staff and faculty.

Along with the Celebration Garden, seniors could vote for the options of "enhancing Fisher Plaza" and "benches and beautification of the Allen Street Mall."

Lauren Steinberg, assistant director of annual giving, said the committee chose gifts that would appeal to seniors.

After the finalists were announced, seniors had the opportunity to vote for their favorite last week.

Seniors interested in donating can do so online at www.seniorclassgift.psu.edu.