PSU News and commentary
There are many myths and legends surrounding Penn State, here is the real story behind them: 1. Penn State began as a high school: FALSE: Penn State was named The Farmers’ High School until 1862, which led to the misunderstanding that it began as a high school. The truth is that Penn State began as an agricultural college with the aim of promoting the application of science to farming; but many farmers at the time were distrustful of the traditional college curriculum so the founders of the University called it the Farmers’ High School to alleviate their concerns. 2. Penn State's Old Main Lawn Sundial is the geographical center of Pennsylvania: False: The sundial on Old Main is not in fact the geographical center of PA, but scientists believe it in within miles of PSU, but is hard to pinpoint due to the irregular shape of the state. 3. There are no sorority houses at Penn State because an old PA law says more than 5 girls living in a house is considered a brothel, making it illegal. FALSE: Penn State houses it's sororities in dorms because years ago Sorority houses where getting old and costing a lot of money in upkeep, Penn State struck a deal with them to use dorm floors in South Halls. Sororities are allowed to move off campus, but now the price of land is too hard to come by, or costs to much. 4. Penn State Creamery Ice Cream is in other places due to not meeting FDA rules to be classified as ice cream. FALSE: Penn State doe not sell it's ice cream anywhere as to not create competition in the dairy industry. 5. Penn State's Campus is its own town: TRUE: Penn State is it's own town called University Park, we have our own Police Department (yes campus pd are real police), hospital and even our own zip code. 16801. 6. If you get hit by a CATA bus you get free tuition. FALSE: CATA has no agreement in place that if you get hit they will pay your remaining tuition. So don't walk in front of CATA busses. 7. Penn State's original colors were Black and Pink: TRUE: Penn State switched after the colors kept fading in the sun. We still have the black and pink S-Zone every homecoming game. 8. The Hammond Building was suppose to be a skyscraper but do to miscommunication between the architect and the builder, it was built on it's side. FALSE: It was always meant to be built the way it is. 9. Penn State has heated sidewalks so we will never have a Snow Day. FALSE: The tunnels under the sidewalks are used for steam pipes that lead to the buildings on campus for energy, the pipes being close to the surface is what melts the snow, but they are not there for that purpose, it's just an extra bonus according to PSU OPP. 10. There is an unsolved murder in the Library: TRUE: In late November 1969, Besty Aardsma, a Penn State graduate student, was in the level two stacks of Pattee when she was stabbed by an unknown assailant. She was found lying on the floor and, because her red dress disguised what little blood there was, she was thought to have suffered a seizure. She was then taken to Ritenour Health Center, where were she was pronounced dead. Only after an autopsy was the death ruled a homicide and an investigation launched. No one was every charged with the murder. 10b. She was killed by notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. FALSE: Fingerprints found at the murder scene do not match any in the National Crime Information Center database, where Bundy's would be on file. And the single, fatal wound Aardsma suffered did not fit Bundy's criminal profile. So while the case has not been solved, it is pretty safe to say that the Ted Bundy Penn State myth is also false.
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Here are some important people to know at PSU: Currently at Penn State: Eric Barron- President of the University James Franklin- Head Football Coach Pat Chambers- Head Basketball Coach Russ Rose- Women's Volleyball Coach, has 7 National Championships under his belt at PSU Austin Sommerer- Executive Director of THON 2016 Terry Ford- UPUA President Saquon Barkley- RB for PSU Football. #26, you will be hearing this name a lot. Trace McSorley- Penn State Quarterback competing for the starting job Tommy Stevens- Penn State Quarterback competing for the starting job Joe Moorehead: Penn State Football's new offensive coordinator No Longer at Penn State, but you will hear about them in the news: Christian Hackenberg- Penn State's Former Quarterback #14. Drafted in the 2016 NFL Draft 51st overall to the NY Jets Bill O'Brien- Head Football Coach of the Houston Texans, former PSU coach after the firing of Joe Paterno Terry Pegula- Former PSU Grad, who donated over $120 million to build Pegula Ice Arena and elevate Penn State Hockey to NCAA D1. Also owner of the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres. John Donovan- Former Penn State Football Offensive Coordinator, fired after the 2015 season. #FireJohnDonovan Tim Curley- Former Penn State Athletic Director, currently on trial related to the Jerry Sandusky Scandal Gary Shultz- Former Head of Campus Police, currently on trial related to the Jerry Sandusky Scandal Graham Spanier- Former Penn State President, currently on trill related to the Jerry Sandusky Scandal
Here are some events that take place throughout the year at Penn State: THON Weekend: A weekend in February where a year long fundraising effort for pediatric cancer support and research concludes with a 46 hour no sleeping, no sitting dance marathon in the BJC. Sylly Week: The first week of classes each semester, when there is no real work and you just go over the syllabus, known for going out and partying or meeting up with people you haven't seen all summer. WhiteOut: I'm sure you have all heard of this by now, but if not: the biggest football game of the year, typically a night game, when the whole stadium, all 107,000 fans wear white. It has been called one of the coolest things in college sports and been has been named a must see by ESPN. The Whiteout will be in primetime 8pm this year vs Ohio State. StripeOut: New for the 2015 season, the sections in Beaver Stadium alternate wearing blue and white colors to form stripes, this year we will Stripeout the Temple Game. Halloweekend:thought halloween was just one night? Not at PSU. Halloweekend last from Thursday thru Saturday at least, most students have multiple costumes for the multiple nights. Blue and White: A weekend centered around the "Blue White Game" a spring scrimmage for Penn State football in late April that attracts many fans and alumni back to Penn State to tailgate and scout the team. Art's Fest: the Central PA Festival of the Arts, held every year in July, it attracts over 150,000 people to State College. Mainly it is used an excuse for students and alumni to return to campus over summer, visit friends, enjoy the nice weather and drink and party. Mifflin Streak: Held the Sunday night before Spring semester finals week, Penn Staters bare their all. Students gather and line the streets of Mifflin road on campus to relieve stress and watch students streak down the road. The event has grown so big in recent years that the road is shut down by campus police and the event is controlled by RA's to ensure nothing goes bad. It usually last from 9 to 10pm. 55 Days of Cafe: Mostly for seniors, but open to anyone 21+, it consists of going to Cafe 210 West, a bar, and purchasing something each day, for the last 55 days of the year leading up to graduation. Those who complete the task get their name on a plaque at the bar as well as a celebration party at the end of the year. 4th Fest: Central PA's 4th of July Fest takes place on campus, including a parade through campus and a carnival near the stadium. Also 4th Fest ends with some of the best fireworks in the US.If you are at Penn State for summer session, be sure to stop drinking for a bit to check out the fireworks. Nittanyville Weeklong Campout: Every football season, Nittanyville picks one football game to camp out all week long for. This year is will be the Ohio State game, this week is filled with fun events including a trashcan football tournament, dunk contest, and plenty of pep rallies and normally includes visits from plenty of Penn State athletes and coaches. Be Sure to check out Part 1:Buildings and Places and Part 2:Things Come back tomorrow for Part 4!
ESPN's 30 for 30 documentaries are some of the best sports documentaries ever made. While we are probably hears off from a full 30 for 30 about the past few years at Penn State, ESPN has released a 30 For 30 Short titled: "We Are". It takes you behind the meaning of the "We Are...Penn State" chant and how the new statue on campus came to be. Be sure to check it out below:
Check out Part 1:Places and Building. if you haven't already. Here are the nicknames and names of many things around campus and downtown at PSU: Roar Zone (Noun): Student Section for Men's Hockey, though only a few years old it is one of the most intimidating and wild crowd in all of Cawlidge hawkey. THON (Noun): Penn State's Dance MaraTHON, the world's largest student run philanthropy, raises money for children with pediatric cancer. Last year it raised over $9 million. THON is a year long fundraising effort that leads up to a 46 hour, no sleeping no sitting, dance marathon in February. Canning (Verb): The act of traveling outside of State College on a weekend, to raise money for THON, mainly done by standing on the street or out front of businesses with a can to collect money. Natty (Noun): Natural Light Beer, only the finest quality beer, served at fraternities and apartment parties alike. Vlad, Vladdy (Noun): Vladimir Vodka, the finest quality vodka, tastes of rubbing alcohol (Also Crown Rouse, Bankers Club) S-Zone (Noun): Section of the football student section, free t-shirts are given, so as the section creates a giant block "S" in the crowd. Jungle Juice (Noun): A concoction typically of vlad and fruit punch, served at parties. Consume at own risk. Grilled Stickies (Noun): A grilled sticky bun served at The Diner on College ave, a Penn State classic. Peachy Paterno (Noun): Peach flavored ice cream at the Penn State creamery named after Joe Paterno. ANGEL (Noun): Penn States Course Management System, to be phased out before this fall, replaced by Canvas. ELion (Noun): Penn State's student information system, also phased out this past spring, replaced by LionPath. OrderUp (Noun/Verb): OrderUp.com a website where you can order food for pickup and deliver...great right? Did we mention it includes places that normally doesn't deliver like McDonald's or Chili's? This is your go to website for all food. Stay Tuned for Part 3! Check out Part 1:Places and Building. Also Check out: Top Apps to download for Penn State
This Football Pump Up video is sure to give you chills and get you pumped for this season of Penn State Football.
Also be sure to check out: 2016 Schedule Student Football Tickets Sale Dates and Info While coming to PSU may seem daunting, we are here to make it easier: Here is a list of nicknames for places around campus and downtown that you will hear all the time: On Campus: The HUB: Hetzel-Union Building, the busiest place on campus, go there for ChickFila, Burger King and Starbucks as well as the bookstore, or maybe go sit on the HUB lawn on a nice day. Schreyers: Penn State Honors College, located in Atherton Hall Smeal: College of Business as well as the business building BJC: Bryce Jordan Center, Arena on campus that is home to Men's Basketball as well as hosts major concerts. Pegula: Pegula Ice Arena, Ice Hockey stadium on campus Nittanyville (Formely Paternoville): A group of diehard student fans that camp out at Gate A of Beaver Stadium a few days before the football games to get the best seats. Mount Shortlidge: The steep hill that is Shortlidge Ave from College Ave on to campus. Natatorium: Indoor Swimming Pool complex on campus, can be used if you have a gym membership. Forum: Everyone is bound to have a class in this building in their Penn State carreer, the building is shaped like a circle and is where your GPA goes to die for most courses or exams. Off Campus: Toon Town: Penn State Altoona Canyon Pizza: Pizza place on Beaver Ave, featuring $1 slices, consume only late night. McLanahan's: downtown store featuring just about anything you need, from PSU gear to groceries, they have it all. Corner of College ave and Garner street right off campus. Frat Row:where many fraternities are located, is along Fairmount Avenue, which parallels Beaver Avenue three blocks to the south -- go there to "socialize". Doritos Church: Grace Lutheran Church -- sits on the corner of Beaver Avenue and Garner Street, looks like a giant tortilla chip. Meridian (1,2,3): Large apartment complexes on the East end of College Ave, (right when you come into town), there is also a White Loop stop here. Stay tuned for Part 2: Things coming tomorrow! Also Check out: Top Apps to Download For Penn State As you begin your time at Penn State here is a list of some great apps to download to help you: Canvas: Canvas is Penn State's new Course Management system, it's where you will be able to see all your classes, grades and assignments. Penn State Fitness: This app allows you to see how many people are at each one of Penn State's gyms, if you decide to buy a membership, this app is key, as the gyms get very crowded and some even have a line to get in. CATA: Cata is the Centre Area Transportation Authority, they provide buses for the area, mainly the Blue and White Loops, this loops go around campus and downtown, be sure to download the app so you can see where the buses are at. LionPath: LionPath is used as PSU's student information system, you can see your schedule, final grades, add / drop classes as well as register from the app. Dining@PSU: App allows you to view the menu for all the dining halls on campus PSU Available Computers: While not a official Penn State app, this app shows you how many computers are open in each classroom or lab on campus. OrderUp:OrderUp.com and the app are your one spot for ordering food from places downtown state college. GroupMe: Group messaging app, if you don't already use it, you are going to start, everyone i know at Penn State uses it. Having the app will make it so much easier for making group messages with kids in your dorm or class, especially ones you don't want to have your number. Venmo: Ever spot your friend money and then it takes them forever to pay you back? Get Venom so they can instantly send you money from their smart phone. Uber: Uber operates in State College and is a great way to get home from a party or a bar safely. Penn State's Sept. 10 battle with the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field will kick off at noon and will air on either ABC or ESPN. It will be the first time Penn State has played Pitt since 2000. Four other Penn State kickoff times have been previously announced. The Nittany Lions will host Maryland at noon for a Homecoming game on Oct. 8. They'll play night games against Ohio State (8 p.m., Oct. 22) and Iowa (7:30 p.m., Nov. 5) in Beaver Stadium and will take on Rutgers at 8 p.m. on Nov. 19 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Full Penn State Schedule |
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January 2018
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