UNIVERSITY PARK, CENTRE COUNTY - It's the 70th anniversary of the dedication of the Penn State Nittany Lion Shrine.
The statue is a gift from the class of 1940, created by sculptor Heinz Warneke in 1942. Since then, it has become the most photographed spot on the University Park campus.
There it sits, a top a hill. Peering down on those passing by.
"It represents a place at Penn State where anybody can go," Penn State junior Taylor Huckfeldt said.
"It's quite a symbol," Penn State fan Frank Donato said.
A symbol of Penn State University.
"That's who we are, the Nittany Lions, Penn State," Huckfeldt said.
And now, it's celebrating its 70th year on University Park campus.
"That's the first thing you go see, like if you're friend's visiting, you say 'we're going to go check out the Lion Shrine' because it's really impressive and it's a big symbol on campus," Senior Eric Feinstein said. "I feel like it's the biggest landmark on campus."
For folks like Eric Feinstein, the Lion Shrine means tradition.
"It's the quintessential Penn State symbol and it's a great place to get a photo opp and share it with your friends and family to say this is what Penn State is all about."
People come from across the country to get their pictures taken at the Lion Shrine, even people who have no tie to Penn State.
It's an iconic symbol, watching over an iconic university.
"It's all about family and togetherness," Feinstein said.
The Class of 2012's Senior Class Gift will provide improved lighting, accessibility and landscaping to the area surrounding the shrine.
The statue is a gift from the class of 1940, created by sculptor Heinz Warneke in 1942. Since then, it has become the most photographed spot on the University Park campus.
There it sits, a top a hill. Peering down on those passing by.
"It represents a place at Penn State where anybody can go," Penn State junior Taylor Huckfeldt said.
"It's quite a symbol," Penn State fan Frank Donato said.
A symbol of Penn State University.
"That's who we are, the Nittany Lions, Penn State," Huckfeldt said.
And now, it's celebrating its 70th year on University Park campus.
"That's the first thing you go see, like if you're friend's visiting, you say 'we're going to go check out the Lion Shrine' because it's really impressive and it's a big symbol on campus," Senior Eric Feinstein said. "I feel like it's the biggest landmark on campus."
For folks like Eric Feinstein, the Lion Shrine means tradition.
"It's the quintessential Penn State symbol and it's a great place to get a photo opp and share it with your friends and family to say this is what Penn State is all about."
People come from across the country to get their pictures taken at the Lion Shrine, even people who have no tie to Penn State.
It's an iconic symbol, watching over an iconic university.
"It's all about family and togetherness," Feinstein said.
The Class of 2012's Senior Class Gift will provide improved lighting, accessibility and landscaping to the area surrounding the shrine.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.