Penn State is a huge campus— and by huge I mean the 10th largest in the United States. By attending such a large school, you are bound to recognize specific things after a while.
Here are 12 things that you will recognize if you are a student at Penn State:
1. Vamos guy
Easily the happiest and energetic person you will meet at Penn State. He can be found joyfully peddling the streets on his decked out bike, clapping his hands along to some super catchy tunes. I'm not sure if this guy is capable of frowning.
2. Nuggets on a Rope
Usually spotted around south campus near the daycare center and guaranteed to make your day every time. Why didn't they have these when we were kids?
3. Tate
You can always count on seeing this fun-sized party animal at any given daylong/social/party. No one throws down as hard as this kid. I'm almost possible that he gets into frats easier than most girls. Truly a legend. Follow him on Instagram– @tatertottts
4. The Service Dogs
These cuties are always walking around campus with their trainers. They bring so much happiness to everyone they pass— even if you are having the worst of days it's impossible not to crack a smile. The only real downside is that you aren't allowed to pet them. Even so, seeing one of these guys can make your day go from 0-100 real quick. Seriously... how do I get this job?
5. Khalil aka Gucci Goggles
Catch him reppin' these goggles in any weather, from 8 to 80 degrees. Another one that you will always see throwing down at frats. Self-proclaimed "Gucci Goggles" because he said he needed a trademark to get into frats since he isn't actually in a frat. Can you say genius???? Hit up his Instagram– @fly_kdc
6. Saquon Barkley
If you don't know Saquon by now, you clearly live under a rock. In his second year of playing football for Penn State, he has already smashed multiple records and has a list of accomplishments that is basically never-ending. All of this insane success comes with a price, though... the poor kid can't even enter a frat without being asked for hundreds of pictures. Might as well get his autograph now because he is going far.
7. Sam Richards
Hands-down the coolest professor at Penn State. Teaches the ever popular class Soc119 held in the massive 100 Thomas. If you haven't taken this class, take it. The class is so popular that students (not even enrolled in the actual class) often come and sit in on the lectures. Sam is also very well-known for having an intense debate with the Willard Preacher (Preacher vs. Teacher) — which leads us to the next person...
8. Willard Preacher
If you've ever had a class in Willard Building or ever walked by it for that reason, you know who I'm talking about. He can often be found wearing a red T-shirt/sweatshirt, glasses, and preaching to passersby about how much of a sin it is to have pre-marital sex (even though he admitted he did so himself when he was in college). Hypocrite much?
9. Mike the Mailman
Although he retired after working at the Penn State post office for exactly 48 years, Mike the Mailman left a huge mark on everyone here. His friendliness even earned him a feature on Good Morning America a few years ago. He has also made many appearances at various Penn State events such as THON. Dictionary definition of an amazing person— even if you were just buying stamps he would ask you how your day was, tell a joke/funny story etc. We need more people like Mike in the world. :)
10. The Guy With Long Blue Hair at Hockey Games
If you have ever been to a PSU hockey game, there is no doubt that you have seen this dedicated fan. He is so well known that he makes an appearance in almost every single Penn State Hockey promo video. The Centre Daily Times even featured him in an article last year. No one is more spirited about Penn State hockey than this superfan— not even the famous "Hockey Valley" student section.
11. Ron Jon
This one is for all the Smeal students out there. Ronald Johnson— better known as Ron Jon— is a management professor here at PSU. Even if you aren't in Smeal, you've probably seen Snapchat videos of him throwing a football at his students in 100 Thomas. Students on ratemyprofessor.com simply define him as a "character."
12. James Franklin
The heart of Penn State football— Coach James Franklin. Genuinely one of the most friendly people; he'll do anything he can to make a football fans day (like when he surprised this PSU superfan with a phone call). Sometimes if you are lucky you'll spot him wandering around campus (I was behind him in line for Jamba Juice one time and kind of freaked out). How did we get stuck with such an amazing coach?