University Park in State College in Centre County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Nittany Lion Shrine
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, September 25, 2014
1. Nittany Lion Shrine Marker
What's a Nittany? The word Nittany is derived from the Algonquian word Nit-A-Nee meaning "single mountain." The original inhabitants of the area used Nit-A-Nee to describe the mountain, and it likely became corrupted to Nittany by the first Europeans to settle the area in the 18th century. By the time of Penn State's founding in 1855, the word was already in use.
"Joe" Mason. Third baseman on the 1904 Penn State baseball team, Harrison Joe" Mason is credited with originating the idea of a mountain lion for the Penn State mascot in a prideful boast to a visiting powerhouse baseball team from Princeton:
"Well, up at Penn State, we have Mount Nittany right on our campus, where rules the Nittany Mountain Lion, who has never been beaten in a fair fight. So Princeton Tiger, look out."
Erected by Penn State Class of 2012.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania State University series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.
Location. 40° 47.81′ N, 77° 52.144′ W. Marker is in State College, Pennsylvania, in
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Pennsylvania Wilds. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Martin Luther King Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); McKee Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Irvin Hall (about 400 feet away); Management Education (about 600 feet away); Labor Education (about 600 feet away); Indian Leadership (about 600 feet away); Continuing Education (about 600 feet away); The Pennsylvania State University
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, September 5, 2014
2. Nittany Lion Shrine and Marker
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, September 5, 2014
3. Nittany Lion Shrine
Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. This page has been viewed 882 times since then and 56 times this year. Last updated on October 29, 2024, by Sam Skeen of State College, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 28, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the remainder of the marker. • Can you help?
