Penn State Intercom......October 17, 2002
Kiosk now accompanies original
Nittany Lion at Pattee Library entrance
By Andrew Calvin
University Libraries
The original Nittany Lion -- a long-standing symbol of Penn State pride -- found permanent residence in the mall entrance of Pattee Library in fall 2000, thanks to the fund-raising efforts of University Libraries' Alumni and Development Specialist Shirley Davis.
This new home was only part of what she envisioned for the Nittany Lion. Recently, a donation by John and Sara Varoscak completed the project -- an interactive kiosk now sits alongside the original Nittany Lion in the Pattee Library entrance.
Included in the Varoscak's gift is a bench in front of the Nittany Lion. The kiosk was produced by WinMill Software in State College; Joe Strazza, the company's chief executive officer, is a Library Leader and serves on the Libraries Campaign Committee.
The kiosk uses a touch-screen to bring its informative sections to life, including one on the Pennsylvania mountain lion and more specifically the original Nittany Lion, which became Penn State's mascot in 1907 and represents the only known mounted specimen of an eastern mountain lion. The kiosk also features sections on Penn State sports (from the sports museum); the history of the Libraries; and quiz questions on Penn State, agricultural sciences and more.
"The kiosk is a useful supplement to the Nittany Lion's physical presentation. Its interactivity and interesting content will hopefully attract students and other patrons to learn about the story behind the original Nittany Lion and the Libraries in general," Davis said.
Now honored, the original Nittany Lion, then known as the Brush lion, was killed by Samuel Brush in 1856 just one year after the establishment of Penn State. The Nittany Lion, a reclusive creature purported to have a half-human, half-animal cry, was largely misunderstood. Hunted by man out of fear, it was extinct by the late-1800s.
Several years ago, Libraries' faculty Steven Herb and Jackie Esposito wrote the definitive book on the Nittany Lion, titled The Nittany Lion: An Illustrated Tale (available through Penn State Press). Their inspiration? To provide a comprehensive answer to the most frequently asked question about Penn State: "What is a Nittany Lion?" This question also served as an important part of the creation of the kiosk.
"Now this last known specimen of the original Pennsylvania mountain lion serves more than one purpose for the future. Alive at the founding of Penn State, and taken before its time, it reminds us of mistakes humans have made and continue to make toward other species. It reminds us to never make those mistakes again," Herb wrote in a display that accompanies the original Nittany Lion in Pattee Library.
For more information, contact Shirley Davis at sjd@psulias.psu.edu or (814) 865-0401.