CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – Penn State Lehigh Valley spread University pride on Bethlehem's South Side with the installation of a park bench featuring a life-size replica of the Nittany Lion mascot at the corner of Third and New streets. The campus encouraged the community to "find the lion" through a social media campaign on its Twitter and Facebook pages leading up to the Oct. 1 installation. Those who upload their photo at the bench to Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with #ifoundthelion will have the chance to win a scarf inspired by the one worn by the mascot.
"The Lehigh Valley is filled with alumni, students and friends of Penn State. We thought this was a fun and unique way to highlight the University's presence in the region," said Ann Williams, chancellor of the Lehigh Valley campus. "By visiting the location and sharing their photos with us through social media, we hope this becomes not only a new way for people to show their Penn State pride, but also a way to connect with other Penn Staters in the region."
The parcel of land was provided by a local friend of the campus, Dennis Benner, and the bench will remain at the site for a limited time.