Penn State: Then & Now

Everyone always reminisces about summer 2016 and the chokehold those styles, artists and trends had on society. Look back about eight years earlier and Penn State in 2008 might just be the year to beat. 

Camera qualities were blurrier, outfits for a night out consisted of different gems from the Michael’s craft section and workouts weren’t so glamorous either. The occasional “butts and hits” class at the Y was just enough to make up for whatever you were doing that night. 

Now the students at Penn State have everything at their finger tips. Try looking up your ex-situationship on the Tea app with a Blackberry — Oh wait, you can’t. 

When Greek Life Was Greek

By going to Penn State and it being such a big party school, you’d think that Greek life would consume the campus. When you look back at how fraternities and sororities did it in 2010, there was barely a competition as to who was more “Greek.” 

There would be your Panhellenic pride weeks or the National hazing Prevention stands at the HUB, of course. But back in 2008, Greek Week was the biggest hit of the semester. A frat and sorority would pair up from Sunday to Sunday in honor of Homecoming and party together every night. 

Not to mention the themes that were arranged. Now, everyone does the classic jungle, aspen and paint parties. How would you feel if you got a GroupMe message to dress up in a toga for the night? Or, if the theme was “anything but a top” and you had to single-handedly make your outfit?

The Greek Sing, which still reigns over tradition, was not the average lip sync and dance battle that partners get away with now. It was more like a 5-8 minute mini-musical with actual singing and was performed like their lives depended on it.

The sorority merch sets still take over campus, but a true sorority uniform followed as such: a grey Panhellenic t-shirt with your chapter letters, Ugg boots, North Face jacket and a Longchamp Tote. 

No Such Thing As Express Shipping

You read that right, there was no express shipping. If you needed a formal dress or an outfit for a themed date party, you had better hoped you packed it for move in. Connections still stood downtown to prevent a fashion crisis from ensuing, but that was it. The new downtown shops like LOCK Boutique and Urban Outfitters at least prevent everyone from looking like carbon copies. 

That might be a silly thing to imagine, but if there is anything college students do best it’s procrastinate. VALLEY bets you can’t imagine packing in preparation for every event to come that semester. 

Nothing was so serious in the 2010s though. Who cared if everyone looked the same and who cared if your Halloween costume was something funny rather than flirty? Social media was not there to set the standard for every little aspect. 

Penn State in the 2010s was just a little more rigid, carefree and uncensored. Do with that what you will. 

Let us know @VALLEYmag on X what trend you wish would resurface from the early 2000s. 

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