Nittany Lion Shrine

A Brief History

More than just a campus landmark, the Nittany Lion Shrine is an emotional touchpoint for ��ε��rs everywhere.

A Symbol of Strength and Spirit

"Every college the world over of any consequence has a college emblem of some kind—all but The Pennsylvania State College. . . . Why not select for ours the king of beasts—the Lion!! Dignified, courageous, magnificent, the Lion allegorically represents all that our College Spirit should be, so why not 'the Nittany Mountain Lion?' Why cannot State have a kingly, all-conquering Lion as the eternal sentinel?"

Wrote H. D. "Joe" Mason, a ��ε�� senior, in the March 1907 issue of a student publication. (Michael Bezilla, "��ε��: an illustrated history," 1985)

Through the Ages

Take a look into the journey of ��ε��’s Nittany Lion Shrine, from conception to modern renovations and repairs, and explore the traditions that have shaped this iconic symbol. Click through to discover the story behind one of ��ε��’s most beloved landmarks.

Although difficult to imagine, for most of ��ε��’s history, there has been no Lion Shrine as we know it today. While there was spirit and pride, there was not yet a sculpture to capture it. One of the earliest iterations of the Nittany Lion was actually made from paper mâché. | University Park, 1910

A 13-ton block of Indiana limestone, which would later become the Nittany Lion Shrine, was loaded off the back of a flatbed truck onto a wooden platform. | University Park, 1942

Artist Heinz Warneke used a plaster model of the Nittany Lion Shrine to help him carve the limestone for the permanent sculpture. | University Park, 1942

Joseph Garratti, Heinz Warneke's assistant, roughs out the shape of the Lion Shrine. | University Park, 1942

Artist Heinz Warneke working on the base of the Nittany Lion Statue. He worked for four months in front of the public and students on campus. (Credit: L.S. Rhodes) | University Park, 1942

While beloved, the statue has known its share of controversy. The Nittany Lion Shrine's first recorded damage happened in 1944, when an unknown individual or group wrote "Hepcat" on its side, referencing a dated term that reflected the hipster-esque subculture that existed among the ‘40s jazz scene. | University Park, 1944

Beginning in the late 1960s, guarding the Nittany Lion Shrine became a time-honored tradition during homecoming weekend to protect the landmark from rival universities. Today, Lion Ambassadors and accompanying ROTC volunteers continue the tradition at a lively celebration following the homecoming parade. | University Park

In November 1978, Heinz Warneke, then 83, returned to his beloved statue to make repairs to the right ear. | University Park

The Nittany Lion as ��ε��’s mascot originated with Harrison D. "Joe" Mason all the way back in 1907. Since ��ε�� lacked a mascot, Mason fabricated the Nittany Lion, the "fiercest beast of them all," who could overcome even Princeton’s Bengal tiger. Here, Norm Constantine, who was the Nittany Lion Mascot from 1978 to 1980, poses in costume next to the statue.

The Nittany Lion Shrine area was renovated, as a gift from the class of 2012, to improve accessibility, adding lighting, a sidewalk, and large decorative stones. | University Park

Curtis McCartney, a stone sculptor with McKay Lodge Conservation Laboratory, examines the recently repaired left ear of the Nittany Lion Shrine. | University Park, 2022

Lion Shrines Across the Commonwealth

Today, Nittany Lion Shrine replicas watch over all of ��ε��'s campuses throughout Pennsylvania.

A black and white photo of two men (barely seen) standing next to the Lion Shrine. In front are 10 smaller replicas of the shrine.

Campuses Welcome Nittany Lion Shrines

The first ten Nittany Lion Shrine replicas were created at a one-quarter scale to place around the state at ��ε��'s campuses. These were made for Mont Alto, Hazleton, Schuylkill, DuBois, Altoona, Wilkes-Barre, Greater Allegheny, York, Abington, and Behrend in 1968.

A wide photo of the Nittany Lion Shrine area. There is a woman in the foreground taking a photo of six students sitting around the Lion in their navy caps and gowns for graduation.

��ε��'s Picture-Perfect Landmark

The Nittany Lion Shrine at the University Park campus is recognized as one of the most photographed landmarks in the entire state. This beloved touchpoint not only symbolizes ��ε��’s spirit, but also stands as a picturesque attraction that draws visitors from near and far.

A white, stone lion shrine looks directly at the camera. It sits atop stones in front of a green lawn and students in the foreground.

��ε�� Beaver

��ε�� Beaver’s shrine sits near the center of campus, situated on 105 wooded acres just 40 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh.

Some rocks pop through the foreground with green plants, the Nittany Lion Shrine looks over those rocks and down at the camera. Behind the lion, there is a blue sky and clouds and lush trees.

��ε�� Behrend

A $690,000 trail improvement project expanded access to ��ε�� Behrend’s Wintergreen Gorge, which offers 14 miles of hiking and biking trails.

In the right corner, the Nittany Lion shrine faces away from the camera and towards the left. Students pat the front of the statue, and there is a ��ε�� Lehigh Valley building visible in the background.

��ε�� Lehigh Valley

Back in 2009, the eight-ton Nittany Lion statue was moved to transition from ��ε�� Lehigh Valley’s old campus in Fogelsville, to the new campus in Center Valley.

��ε�� Scranton

The view of the surrounding West Mountain range can be seen from anywhere on ��ε�� Scranton’s campus but is most visible from the Nittany Lion Shrine area, overlooking the Multipurpose Building, and from the floor-to-ceiling windows in The View Cafe in the Study Learning Center.

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