Benches

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Commemorative Benches

Broad Art Museum Bench

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With over 100 miles of sidewalks and 19 miles of bike paths, MSU's campus is a place where Spartans connect, reflect, and create lasting memories. A commemorative bench offers a meaningful way to honor someone special in this scenic setting. We offer standard commemorative benches across campus, using either metal or wood (depending on the location). To maintain a cohesive look, we limit the variety of styles and materials. 

  • Adopt an existing bench: bench will be refurbished and placed in its original location
  • Install a new bench: a new bench will be placed in a selected area.

Adopting a bench helps to maintain and enhance MSU’s existing infrastructure.  

Tiers and Pricing

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There are four location tiers on campus as shown by the map below. Pricing is determined by the tier you select. Tier 1 is shown in the green areas around institutional landmarks on north campus. Tier 2 is shown in blue, Central campus below Shaw Lane. Tier 3, shown in orange, are Campus locations south of Service Road. Elite locations, (Beaumont Tower, Spartan Statue, Benefactors Plaza, Adams Field and Sand Hill Plantation) are depicted in red. All locations will need to be reviewed by our Landscape Architect for the possibility of a new bench placement, as some locations are adopt only. Beal Gardens is a unique location, and those requests are handled through the Beal Gardens staff.

Bench pricing will depend on the location tier and adopted versus new installation. 

  • Elite: $15K
  • Tier 1: $12K
  • Tier 2: $11K
  • Tier 3: $10K

Process

The process is simple and interactive; you’ll be involved in the following steps. Because this purchase is significant to you, we want to work together to ensure success.

  1. Select a location tier on campus from the map.
  2. Select a type of bench: existing or a new bench to be purchased and installed.
  3. Review the Terms and Conditions (.docx)
  4. Complete the form to provide details of the request.
  5. The request will be reviewed and you’ll be contacted to discuss the details and finalize the purchase. A deposit may be required at this time.
  6. A dedication ceremony is included in the cost of the bench purchase. There are scheduled times during the year to install the bench (April-October). The donor can attend the install and/or dedication. Photos will be taken during the dedication. There is no limit to the number of people invited to attend. The donor is responsible for invitations.
  7. After installation, you’ll receive photos of the bench and plaque and a certificate of authenticity with each bench purchase.
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Click to view interactive map.

Dedicate a Bench

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Benches that are not already part of the commemorative bench program or otherwise committed are available for adoption.

Yes. Please fill out the application and note your intent to purchase more than one commemorative item. There is a 5% discount for the purchase of two or more commemorative items. 

Usually between the months of April and October. Each bench location is dependent on unique factors which will be discussed during the planning process. Some locations will need new concrete pads poured or repaired. Newly purchased benches also require time to manufacture. Timing for project completion will be communicated throughout.

Typically benches are cleaned and touched up every three years. Elite and tier one benches are visited every year to be cleaned and touched up with paint as needed.

It will be repaired or replaced within a ten (10) year guarantee period.

Damage after ten years, will be reviewed by the Landscape Architect and donor to determine most reasonable solution.

As an integral part of our landscape beauty, our team will make every effort to see each bench remain in its originally placed location on campus unless extenuating circumstances dictate otherwise.

Infrastructure Planning and Facilities will move commemorative benches when new buildings or structures would displace them. 

If the bench requires re-location, the Landscape Architect will contact donor to discuss new possible locations.

A dedication ceremony is included in the cost of the bench purchase.

There are scheduled times during the year to install the bench (April-October). The donor can attend the install and/or dedication. Photos will be taken during the dedication.

There is no limit to the number of people invited to attend. The donor is responsible for invitations.

Food, media or technology are not included with a typical bench dedication. That type of event would need to be coordinated separately through the campus events office. 

Commemorative benches and plaques are guaranteed for ten (10) years. 

Equipment or storm-damaged benches will be replaced at no cost to the donor during the guarantee period.