If you’re reading this right now, chances are you go to Penn State (and if you don’t, I know you wish you did). And if you go to Penn State, you ‘re already aware of one fact: Penn State is AWESOME.

That’s why “500 Things to Love about Penn State” is finally here to pay homage to the little things you probably take for granted every day that make life as a Penn State student complete. Whether you’ve experienced these 500 things for yourself or I inspire you to take a closer look at what makes this the happiest of valleys, every week I’ll feature just one of the thousands of splendid things about dear old State.

Being that this is my first column post, I knew I needed to come up with something about Penn State that truly is the definition of awesome. With such high expectations, I decided to use this as an opportunity to highlight a key part of Penn State culture that just isn’t appreciated enough.

Without further introduction, I give you the first of 500 Things to Love about Penn State:

#500: Penn State Squirrels

…and I know you know what I’m talking about.

I’m not entirely sure what’s in the acorns around here, but seriously, Penn State squirrels are a species all their own.

I’m from Connecticut, where suburban woodland creatures are, well, normal. If you so much as think about a squirrel the wrong way, they’re already halfway to China, eager to get as far away from you as possible. Penn State squirrels? Not so much.

Somewhere along the line, Happy Valley’s squirrels got an extra-large dose of friendly in them. Think moving closer and closer to them will instill any sort of panic? I’m pretty sure they actually enjoy it. If you try to turn the other way, they’ll just mosey on down your way (you have to admire their determination).

I’ve seen squirrels run over my friends’ feet, jump out of trashcans at passersby and perch themselves in trees making war calls (who knew squirrels made sounds?). Needless to say, they’re nuts.

But probably the best part about PSU squirrels is that they’ll eat absolutely anything that comes their way. Cheese-Its, French fries, apples, ice cream, etc. You name it, I’ve seen a squirrel veraciously chowing down on it.

So, the next time you’re walking down College Ave or past the HUB on the way to class, watch out for everyone’s favorite, furry PSU friends (especially whichever one is on Twitter …. #impressive).

Photo by Jill Podhor

You know that awkward moment when you’re at a party and you realize the guy you’re talking to is TA-ing your dad’s class? Or when you run into your mom on your way to Willard? Or when you step on the CATA bus and notice 10 people from your high school?

Oh, you don’t?

Right. These are the uncomfortable situations State College natives like to call “townie problems.” (And yes, it’s a Twitter page.) But despite these mild moments of awkwardness, I wouldn’t trade my hometown for anywhere else in the world. And any Penn State student who’s grown to love the Valley as his or her second home can understand why.

When I became one of those students last year, I noticed I also became the resident “townie.” Friends would come to me for advice, and oftentimes I’d get asked the same questions. Where’s the best place to grab groceries? Which Thai restaurant is better? Where can you get a nice haircut? What is Bellefonte?

To put my townie knowledge to work, I’ll be answering all those questions and more each week. There’s more to State College than what’s downtown, and sadly, a lot of students don’t realize it. So consider this column your tour guide and start exploring.

It’s called “Happy Valley” for a reason.

Got a question you’d like to see answered? Send it to entertainment@valleymagazinepsu.com. 

Photo: Noelle and her grandparents at her high school graduation — with a familiar stadium in the background.

You bleed blue and white. You attend sporting events, read up on them and flaunt your undying devotion to Penn State athletics through the clothes you wear and the words you tweet. But while Nittany Lions in the spotlight are scoring touchdowns, winning matches and taking penalty shots, some unsung heroes of PSU sports are throwing discs forehand and backhand up at Bigler Field three nights a week.

Named Isis after an Egyptian goddess of healing and magic, the Penn State Women’s Ultimate Frisbee club team gears up in both the fall and spring semesters. Like other club sports, they travel all over the East Coast for their tournaments. And they have a tendency to win.

For the past three years, the team has consistently remained in the top five teams of the region. Next season, hopes are high for making it to nationals.

“The fall season is pretty much when we teach everyone how to play and welcome [them],” explains President Kelsey Baumes. “The spring season is competitive.”

Though Baumes, a sophomore, picked up ultimate frisbee in high school (and founded her school’s team), many of the girls are new to the sport when they join Isis.

In the fall, they perfect throwing the disc and other basic skills, including the “stack,” an offensive technique, as well as various types of defense. Baumes describes the fall as a “clean slate.” It’s still competitive, but the spring is much more serious — only the top 18 girls will compete in spring tournaments.

Reflecting on last spring, Baumes insists it was a fluke that the team didn’t make it to nationals. She says that she knows the girls have definitely learned from mistakes made in the deciding game and that they’re ready for this spring.

After five starting seniors graduated, the team managed to pull in a bunch of freshmen, and everyone has stepped up, Baumes says. The fall season went well — the team was victorious in a couple of tournaments. And even though its last tournament was in early November, the team continues to practice. Now that the weather has begun to turn, its practices are based on conditioning to stay in shape for the spring.

“When it gets cold, we just condition,” Baumes says. “[We] just run and run.”

For more information on Isis, visit its website.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Stewart