Bucknell University

Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Bucknell University Master Plan (PDF) 73.3MB

Bucknell University Master Plan Appendices (PDF) 14.7MB

Bucknell University Master Plan Landscape Guidelines (PDF) 11.9MB

Founded in 1846, Bucknell University overlooks the Susquehanna River and surrounding mountains. Thomas U. Walter, who also designed the wings and dome of the Capital Building in Washington, D.C., designed Bucknell's first two buildings, and Jens Larson produced the first campus master plan in the 1920s after the university had acquired 170 acres of land for expansion. Funding will aid Bucknell in developing a comprehensive preservation plan for its core campus focusing on the Men's College Quadrangle, eleven of its oldest buildings, and details of Larson's master plan.

Bucknell University received a Getty grant in 2004 for $150,000 to support campus heritage planning.

Report Summary

Purpose: Funding will help Bucknell develop a comprehensive preservation plan for its core campus focusing on the Men's College Quadrangle, for 11 of its oldest buildings, and for details of the Larson campus master plan.

Master Plan as a decades-long vision for physical development along with enhanced reputation for academic excellence.

Historic Designation: No current designation

Founded in 1846, Bucknell University overlooks the Susquehanna River and surrounding mountains. Thomas U. Walter, who also designed the wings and dome of the Capital Building in Washington, D.C., designed Bucknell's first two buildings. Jens Larson produced the first campus master plan in the 1920s after the university had acquired 170 acres of land for expansion.

“Legacy Spaces”:

• Academic Quad
• Science and Engineering Quad
• Old Main Quad
• Sacred Lawn
• Langone Center
• Freas Hall and Chapel
• Oak Grove

Planning Process:

Engage the community: Interviews with community agencies and planning groups, as well as with individual and group university audiences: President and the senior staff, Campus Heritage Preservation Advisory Group, Board of Trustees, Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee, as well as campus faculty, staff, and students

Set goals:

• Strengthen academic core,
• Deepen the residential learning experience,
• Enhance diversity,
• Strengthen connections with the non-campus world,
• Achieve financial sustainability

Investigate campus history, collect data

Analyze campus through comparison with other schools

Determine educational needs

Match planning agenda to the university’s priorities in five categories: Academics, Student life, Athletics, Administration, “Campus fabric”

Test the agenda

Articulate strategic principles for accomplishing the goals:

• Focus on pedestrians
• Purposeful/thoughtful use of existing space
• Seamless integration of planned environment with natural neighbors and Lewisburg community
• Integrated learning and living
• Integration of Bucknell West campus

Identify focus areas and zone types in order to create a land use plan--a framework for decision making: Property, Civic Zoning, Floodwater Management, Land Use zoning (greenways, hilltop core, developed campus, athletic fields)

Recommend full strength of university resources support this plan

Outcomes: Products

• Landscape guidelines
• Walkway design guidelines
• Site furniture guidelines

Outcomes: Policies and Plans

• Address water features as opportunities
• Integrate learning and living, planned and natural environments
• Involve the community, integrate gown and town
• Seamlessly integrate with natural sites on the periphery
• Consolidate parking in perimeter and below-ground areas
• Focus on pedestrians
• Recognize need for universal involvement
• Apply full strength of university resources to implement the plan
• Take the lead in Central Pennsylvania development

• Apparent focus on building replacement
• Discussion of “legacy spaces” rather than reference to National Register or National Park Service heritage criteria, specifically Secretary of the Interior’s standards for significance
• Analysis of space use in relation to other schools
• Planting guidelines addressing parking needs, specifically related to parking spots and areas
• Stormwater guidelines
• Erosions and Sediment Pollution Control Plan, for any “development disturbing the ground surface”
• Goals extending beyond the campus into the community
• History of landscaping and architecture relegated to appendices
• No discussion of condition assessment or maintenance

Advisors:

Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbott
Towers/Golde
Brailsford & Dunlavey
Herbert, Rowland and Grubic, Inc.

Campus Heritage Preservation Advisory Group: Susan J. Crawford, Board Chair; Brian C. Mitchell, Pres.; John Mathias, Chair Buildings and Grounds; Craig D. Mills, Former Chair Buildings and Grounds; Jamey Bennett, Chair Campus Master Plan subcommittee; David Maurrasse, Trustee; Dennis Hawley, Assoc. V.P. Facilities; James Hostetler, Dir. Construction and Design; Sam Lundquist, V.P. Development and Alumni Relations; Laurie Lundquist, Campus Planner; Peter Mackey, Chief Communications Officer; R. David Meyers, Chief of Staff; Charles R. Pollock, V.P. External Relations; David J. Surgala, V.P. Finance and Administration

Credits and Links: Campus Contact

Ms. Ellen Flacker-Darer
Interim Director-Corporate and Foundation Relations
Bucknell University
Lewisberg, PA 17837
Ph: (570) 577-3200
F: (570) 577-3610