Who are the Lion Ambassadors?
Lion Ambassadors aim to communicate Penn State’s history & personality, strengthen University traditions, and instill Penn State pride in current and future students, alumni, and friends. We strive to foster the idea that involvement with Penn State is a lifelong commitment.
As the Student Alumni Corps, L’Ambs proudly represent the Penn State Alumni Association in order to host events and programming that show our dedication to this mission.
OUR PILLARS
Service Tradition Excellence Pride
Sue Paterno, Honorary Lion Ambassador
“Fifty-eight years ago, three young football coaches’ wives secretly painted the Nittany Lion statue with two gallons of orange latex paint. The Homecoming game against Syracuse needed something to excite our fans and this act provided it. The next year, 1967, the local radio station guarded our beloved Nittany Lion and continued to do so until the Lion Ambassadors became involved and created a big event. Each year, they added more and more facets to the scene. It has become a part of the Homecoming traditions, and we thank them for the many traditions they have embraced, grown and continued through the years. All these events and celebrations make Penn Staters nostalgic for all that makes Penn State and them feel special. WE ARE!”
Paul Clifford, Chief Executive Officer of the Penn State Alumni Association
“The Penn State Lion Ambassadors are living examples of Penn State’s excellence and pride, showcasing leadership, service, and tradition while cultivating a lifelong connection between students and the university.”
Kristen Chomos, Lion Ambassadors President 2022-2023
“The four pillars of Lion Ambassadors provide the foundation for the mission, purpose, and vision of the organization. Pride has carried on the torch of the organization for 40 years and will drive the organization forward for years to come. Each class of Lion Ambassadors has the unique opportunity to build on the long-standing foundation of the organization, and the strong sense of pride among Lion Ambassadors and alumni encourages each class to make a lasting impact. The longevity of the organization is a testament to every member who has worn the Lion Ambassadors jacket and shared their pride for the University with future and current students, alumni, and friends of the university. Throughout my time as a Lion Ambassador, the opportunities to represent the University and Alumni Association allowed me to deepen my pride for Dear Old State, and this pride continues to live on as an alumna.”
Penn State Land Awknowledgement
The Pennsylvania State University campuses are located on the original homelands of the Erie, Haudenosaunee (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora), Lenape (Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe, Stockbridge-Munsee), Monongahela, Shawnee (Absentee, Eastern, and Oklahoma), Susquehannock, and Wahzhazhe (Osage) Nations. As a land grant institution, we acknowledge and honor the traditional caretakers of these lands and strive to understand and model their responsible stewardship. We also acknowledge the longer history of these lands and our place in that history.
As ambassadors of the University, it’s important to the Lion Ambassadors organization to acknowledge the history of our land. We thank the Indigenous Peoples Student Association (IPSA), the Indigenous Faculty and Staff Alliance (IFSA), and the Office of Educational Equity for this acknowledgment.