UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State and State College Borough officials are getting ready to welcome back students with a well-known event that has a new twist. The 8th annual LION (Living In One Neighborhood) Walk will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, and starts on South Allen Street in front of the State College Municipal Building. A new event, LION Bash, kicks off at the same time and location with a live band, games and booths where volunteers will hand out informational packets.
The walk has become a traditional way for the University and State College officials to begin the new school year by getting to know each other and residents in the borough, while strengthening the sense of community their town-and-gown partnership has built.
Penn State President Eric Barron and the Nittany Lion will join one of several groups of students, University officials, State College law enforcement officials and other members of the borough community to walk through the neighborhoods knocking on doors to welcome new and existing residents, say ‘hello,’ offer assistance and answer questions.
Additionally, volunteers will walk along with the groups inviting residents to come to the LION Bash. They also plan to hand out packets of useful information that includes tips on how to stay safe; copies of local laws and ordinances; and directions on how to find community resources both on- and off-campus.
Other schools, like Cornell University, have modeled similar programs after the LION Walk.
Organizers say this event is a great opportunity to build relationships among students, the University and the borough.