$10 million new gift from Ira Lubert and his wife Pam Estadt enables university stadium renovation
Penn State Athletics has received a $10 million donation toward Beaver Stadium renovations from Ira Lubert and his wife Pam Estadt, Athletics announced Thursday. The donation was the third $10 million gift and the fourth eight-figure donation Penn State received for stadium renovations.
With the donation, Lubert and Estadt’s names will be attached to the Lubert Family Welcome Center, which will serve as a fan entrance on Penn State gamedays and as the first stop for prospective undergraduates and their families on campus tours.
Lubert graduated from Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development in 1973 after wrestling for the university and earning a spot in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as its 1997 Outstanding American.
After graduation, Lubert served on the Penn State Board of Trustees and as a volunteer leader for Penn State Abington, Penn State Athletics, the Smeal College of Business, and several fundraising campaigns.
“As a former student-athlete, Ira Lubert has represented Penn State Athletics and the university with distinction throughout his life and career, and his achievements reflect the kind of excellence that competition at the highest levels can foster,” Pat Kraft, vice president for intercollegiate athletics, said in a statement.
“We are honored he and Pam have chosen to make this transformative investment in a project that will help all Penn Staters thrive. The Lubert Family Welcome Center is a beacon for this Beaver Stadium Revitalization project and will create a front door for the university that will not only welcome future Penn Staters, but also welcome home our amazing alumni.”
With their donation, Lubert and Estadt joined the Misitano Family and PAM Health and two anonymous donations as significant fundraising efforts for renovations.