History
The Lion Ambassadors, “ordinary students with extraordinary pride,” are Penn State’s Student Alumni Corps who aim to communicate the University’s history, personality, and traditions to students, alumni, and anyone with a love for dear old state.
In 1981 the Penn State University saw the need for a student alumni corp. to provide service to the university, as well as foster a connection between the students and their university. The responsibility of forming such an organization was given to Larry Atwell Jr., a 1981 graduate of Penn State’s Smeal College of Business. Eight students were hand-selected to work with Larry, the Alumni Association, and the Office of Gifts and Endowments (currently the Office of University Development) to fabricate this organization that soon came to be known as the Lion Ambassadors. That December, applications were accepted and on January 9th, 1982, the first class of 50 Lion Ambassadors met for the first time during a weekend in a wintry Stone Valley.
Currently, Lion Ambassadors can be seen around campus, often proudly displaying the symbol of the organization, the Pozniak Lion, designed by Raymond Pozniak out of a love for the University. Lion Ambassadors also currently hosts many projects throughout the year including Be a Part From the Start, Guard the Lion Shrine, and the famous student section S-Zone at home football games, as well as give tours to individuals ranging from prospective students to distinguished alumni, all with the purpose to promote a love for Penn State University.
Over the years Lion Ambassadors has seen a wide array of individuals leave their mark on the organization. While these former, current, and future Lion Ambassadors hail from a multitude of diverse backgrounds, the tenets that Lion Ambassadors live by, service, tradition, pride, and excellence, as well as the deepest affection for Penn State, have always remained at the forefront of the organization’s message.
-For The Glory
In 1981 the Penn State University saw the need for a student alumni corp. to provide service to the university, as well as foster a connection between the students and their university. The responsibility of forming such an organization was given to Larry Atwell Jr., a 1981 graduate of Penn State’s Smeal College of Business. Eight students were hand-selected to work with Larry, the Alumni Association, and the Office of Gifts and Endowments (currently the Office of University Development) to fabricate this organization that soon came to be known as the Lion Ambassadors. That December, applications were accepted and on January 9th, 1982, the first class of 50 Lion Ambassadors met for the first time during a weekend in a wintry Stone Valley.
Currently, Lion Ambassadors can be seen around campus, often proudly displaying the symbol of the organization, the Pozniak Lion, designed by Raymond Pozniak out of a love for the University. Lion Ambassadors also currently hosts many projects throughout the year including Be a Part From the Start, Guard the Lion Shrine, and the famous student section S-Zone at home football games, as well as give tours to individuals ranging from prospective students to distinguished alumni, all with the purpose to promote a love for Penn State University.
Over the years Lion Ambassadors has seen a wide array of individuals leave their mark on the organization. While these former, current, and future Lion Ambassadors hail from a multitude of diverse backgrounds, the tenets that Lion Ambassadors live by, service, tradition, pride, and excellence, as well as the deepest affection for Penn State, have always remained at the forefront of the organization’s message.
-For The Glory
