UConn Health Center
As Connecticut’s only public academic medical center, UConn Health combines patient care, research, and education to improve the health and well-being of communities throughout the state. To recognize the generosity of the individuals, families, organizations, and foundations that support this mission, UConn Health partnered with Partners In Recognition to create a large-scale medical center donor recognition display. The completed installation provides a prominent space to celebrate philanthropy while maintaining the flexibility needed to accommodate future growth.
A Recognition Display Designed for Growth
Located in a highly visible area of the facility, the donor recognition display immediately establishes a strong presence through its scale, dimensional construction, and organized presentation of donor names. Large freestanding letters introduce the recognition message, while the remainder of the text is etched directly into the Corian base, creating a clean and integrated appearance.
The display features a layered arrangement of recognition panels that allows visitors to easily navigate donor categories and giving levels. Rather than relying on a traditional donor wall layout, the design combines dimensional elements, varied panel sizes, and multiple recognition areas to create visual interest across the installation.
In addition, the neutral palette of Corian, metal, and laminate materials complements the surrounding architecture while allowing donor names to remain the primary focus. As a result, the display functions as both a recognition feature and an architectural enhancement within the space.
Recognition Systems Built to Evolve
Because donor recognition programs continue to evolve, long-term growth played an important role in the design of the display. For this reason, Partners In Recognition incorporated both the MagTech System and the Add-On System throughout the recognition program.
The MagTech System uses magnetic nameplates that can be moved, removed, and updated as recognition needs change. Consequently, staff can rearrange donor listings, add new supporters, and maintain accurate recognition without replacing the entire display. For UConn Health, magnetic nameplates of various sizes fit seamlessly into the Corian base, creating a clean appearance while providing exceptional long-term adaptability.
In addition, the display incorporates permanent Add-On nameplates to recognize select donors and giving levels. Unlike the magnetic nameplates, these recognition elements remain fixed in place once installed, creating a permanent record of donor support within the overall display.
Together, the MagTech and Add-On Systems create a recognition program that balances flexibility with permanence. The result is a medical center donor recognition display that can accommodate changing donor recognition needs while preserving important philanthropic milestones.
Expanding Recognition to Meet Growing Demand
As donor support continued to increase, UConn Health required additional recognition space beyond the original installation. Rather than redesigning the display, Partners In Recognition expanded the existing recognition program by adding additional permanent nameplates beneath the original display.
The expansion provided space for new large recognition pieces while maintaining consistency with the original design, materials, and donor hierarchy. Because the new panels continued the established design language, they integrated naturally with the original installation while providing additional recognition capacity.
Furthermore, the expansion preserved the visual continuity of the display while creating room to recognize additional major supporters. As a result, UConn Health gained the ability to acknowledge growing donor participation without compromising the appearance or organization of the original recognition program.
This successful expansion demonstrates how thoughtful planning can help a donor recognition display adapt to increasing support while maintaining the integrity of the original design.
A Recognition Program Built for the Future
Together, the MagTech and Add-On Systems provide a recognition solution that can adapt alongside the institution. The combination of magnetic nameplates, expandable recognition areas, and durable materials ensures that the display can continue celebrating generosity for years to come.
Moreover, the completed installation reflects the importance of philanthropy to UConn Health’s mission while providing a flexible platform for future recognition. As new donors invest in patient care, research, education, and innovation, the display can continue growing to recognize their contributions.
A Successful Partnership
“I wanted to personally thank you and the entire PIR team for ensuring that our donor wall expansion met expectations and was completed in a timely manner. Having spent the two days on site with the installers, I especially appreciate the amount of care and pride in workmanship that was evident throughout.”
— Betsy Pigeon
Recognizing Generosity for Years to Come
Today, the donor recognition display continues to celebrate the generosity that supports UConn Health’s mission of advancing healthcare, education, and research throughout Connecticut. Through thoughtful design, adaptable recognition systems, and a carefully planned expansion, Partners In Recognition created a medical center donor recognition program designed to grow alongside the institution for years to come.
For additional donor recognition inspiration, explore the Partners In Recognition Gallery.