On Spotlight
The Lion's Roar: Penn State Spirit
Bezdek, 1920s
Known for strength in both athletics and academia, Penn State nurtures thousands of young people every year into accomplished, well-rounded adults. In return, Penn State alumni continually choose to give back to the institution that prepared them for life’s challenges. Whether through annual trips to Happy Valley, gifts of support, or nationwide recruitment, Penn State alumni have a lifelong commitment to their alma mater. Instrumental to this devotion, Penn State’s beloved Nittany Lion mascot instills a strong sense of school spirit and passion in students.
Ritzmann, 1940s
The Lion’s popularity grew as the years passed. By the 1970s, it was more than just a symbol at football games, and it began attending various sporting events, including track and fencing, as well as community gatherings. The men behind the mask understood the importance of having the Lion create a universal identity in addition to its football persona. The Lion began to incorporate other aspects of student life into its responsibilities as Penn State’s Nittany Lion mascot, academics and philanthropy being first and foremost.
The Nittany Lion is more to Penn State students than simply a mascot. It is illustrative of the four years students spend at Penn State—dorm living, football games, Creamery ice cream—the Lion encompasses all those memories. A walk behind the Nittany Lion mascot, shows its charm first hand—the buoyant walk, hi-five greeting, and smiles returned by all.
Lion with Cheerleaders, 1950s
Over the years, the Lion has evolved from a football mascot to the revered, larger-than-life symbol that it is today. Penn State fans, students, alumni, and prospective students turn to the Lion for its spirit, enthusiasm, and its love for everything Penn State. It is with this in mind that the University Libraries has decided to pay tribute to our treasured representative: Roar, Lions, roar!
“The Lion’s Roar: Penn State Spirit” is on display through December 30, 2008, in Pattee Library main exhibit hall. To celebrate Penn State University Libraries’ 150 years of service to the University, seven commemorative bookmarks feature Penn State’s lion mascot through the decades.
Lion and Throne, 1960s Lion and Basketball, 1970s Lion Today
Single bookmarks are available the Monday before each 2008 home football game at all Penn State library locations throughout the state. Gifts of support to the Libraries will be acknowledged with the full, uncut sheet of The Lion’s Roar Collector’s Bookmark Series 2008.
To make a gift or for more information, call us at 814-865-2258 or visit us at www.libraries.psu.edu/development/special/