Rooted in Excellence

The Arboretum at Penn State is one of the University’s most cherished spaces. In this book, Kim Steiner, the Arboretum’s founding director, traces the long, uncertain path to its creation. Steiner documents early twentieth-century aspirations and repeated false starts up through the planning, design, and construction of the 370-acre arboretum now gracing the north side of the University Park campus. He follows a small, determined group of faculty and staff who, beginning in 1995, transformed a modest “white paper” proposal into a board-approved master plan, even as funding remained elusive and institutional priorities lay elsewhere. Central to this story is the remarkable eight-year quest for a single transformative gift—one that arrived unexpectedly from an alumnus whose generosity sparked nearly sixty million dollars in subsequent philanthropy, making The Arboretum at Penn State one of the largest privately funded projects in the University’s history.

More than an institutional history, Rooted in Excellence offers a compelling case study in grassroots leadership and philanthropy. It documents how patience and persistence in the pursuit of lofty ambitions can shape a community for generations. As both a tribute to what has been achieved and an invitation to invest in what comes next, this book underscores why the Arboretum matters and why its future depends on continued vision and generosity.

“This book beautifully tells the story of an arboretum decades in the making—a dream realized through persistence, passion, and generosity. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of arboreta to inspire, educate, and unite communities.”—Paul B. Redman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Longwood Gardens

“Kim Steiner’s book, Rooted in Excellence: An Institutional History of The Arboretum at Penn State, is a testament to how much can be accomplished when a strong vision is matched with a spirit of resilience and an unlimited supply of energy. Steiner details the many hurdles and setbacks he and colleagues encountered on their way to establishing a world-class arboretum and botanical garden at Penn State. Through detail, humor, and frequent reassessment, he proves that stunning end result can justify the battle scars along the way. A great read for anyone considering establishing a cultural organization within a larger organizational context.”—Donald A. Rakow, coauthor of Public Gardens and Livable Cities: Partnerships Connecting People, Plants, and Place

“Making the impossible, possible. Kim Steiner inspired everyone to believe in this dream, to create an Arboretum that celebrates trees and beautiful gardens at Penn State. We all wanted to help, to do what we could to make his dream come true. Even small donations mattered. He collected followers like someone collects seeds. Each dollar would grow into something for generations to witness and appreciate.”—Nancy J. Bechtol, Director Emerita, Smithsonian Facilities and President, International Association Museum Facility Administrators; and Theodore R. Bechtol, Jr., former Superintendent of US Capitol Grounds and Arboretum

Kim C. Steiner retired in 2021 as Founding Director of The Arboretum at Penn State and Emeritus Professor of Forest Biology at Penn State University. Steiner taught at Penn State for forty-seven years, and he is the author of 180 research papers. He and his wife reside in central Pennsylvania.

Nature

Pennsylvania & the Mid-Atlantic

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