UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Tuesday, April 5, is the official date for Penn State Capital Day, an annual event that brings Penn Staters together with Pennsylvania elected officials and features a high-energy rally in the Capitol rotunda.During Capital Day, the Penn State Grassroots Network joins forces with Penn State alumni, network volunteers, three Penn State student government groups, and the Schreyer Honors College.This year’s event will mark the seventh consecutive year of Penn State Capital Day and the second year of collaboration with the Schreyer Honors College. The three student government groups are the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG), the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), and the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA).
“I’ve been very grateful over the years for the continued support of dedicated alumni and students — Capital Day just wouldn’t happen without them,” said Grassroots Network Director Alan Janesch, who earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Penn State in 1976 and 2000, respectively.
Official invitations to take part in Capital Day will be sent soon. As in previous years, this year’s Capital Day event will include:
- a legislative briefing and advocacy training session in the Forum Auditorium;
- a midday rally in the Capitol rotunda, featuring members of the Penn State Blue Band, the Nittany Lion mascot, Penn State cheerleaders, and free Berkey Creamery ice cream; and
- visits to legislators’ offices.
During their office visits, volunteers will tell legislators how state support helps Penn State keep tuition increases as low as possible; ensure its educational programs stay strong; preserve a substantial in-state tuition discount for Pennsylvania resident students; keep its 19 undergraduate campuses across the state strong; help ensure student career success; and boost job growth and economic development across the Commonwealth.Use the hashtag #PSUCapitalDay to show your support for Penn State on social media, and also to follow along with the day’s events. Whether or not you’ll be in Harrisburg, there’s an opportunity to participate, and one that extends throughout the year.
“Capital Day is a very important event, but in the life of a legislator, it’s just one day,” Janesch said. “For alumni and friends who can’t attend—and even those who can — it’s important to stay in touch with their elected officials on a regular basis and try to build a personal, long-term relationship with them. When you tell your legislator about the issues that are important to you — face to face, on the phone, or via a note or an email — the issues come alive for them.
“I’d ask that anybody who can’t be part of Capital Day use the Grassroots Network website to keep abreast of issues and contact their elected officials, join the network as an official subscribed member (on our website), and follow the network on Twitter and 'like' the network page on Facebook.”