University Park, Pa. -- A public kick-off of Penn State's sesquicentennial year will take place at 4 p.m. today (July 8) in Schwab Auditorium on the Penn State University Park campus. The event will take place in conjunction with the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and the University's Board of Trustees' meeting. The day will include entertainment by music theatre faculty and students, addresses by distinguished speakers and roll-out of a new ice cream flavor.
The hourlong event is open to the public. No tickets are required, but seating is limited.
More than 1,500 people suggested names for the new ice cream flavor that the University Creamery will debut as part of Penn State's sesquicentennial celebration. Entries came from all over the country and from as far away as Hong Kong, according to Eston Martz, publications coordinator in the College of Agricultural Sciences.
"The reaction has been phenomenal," said Martz, who oversaw the contest for the University's sesquicentennial committee. "I had expected to receive just a couple of dozen suggestions, but I'm thrilled that so many people are excited about this contest. It's been a great way to raise awareness of the celebration."
Visit http://www.sesquicentennial.psu.edu for information about sesquicentennial activities, including a calendar of events, and to learn more about the University's history and achievements. The site will be updated frequently, so check back often.