Enjoy a historical overview of the origins of the Nittany legend, lion mascot, “man in the suit,” and other Penn State traditions. Come learn more about familiar and oft-told Penn State stories as well as a bit of debunking of long-standing myths. If you are a Penn Stater or just love Penn State history, this is the course for you.

Instructor: Jackie Esposito served as university archivist/librarian at Penn State from 2001 to 2017. Prior to that, she was an assistant university archivist, beginning in 1986. From 2017 until her retirement with emeritus status in 2021, Jackie worked on several special projects, including a 150+ person oral history program. Since her retirement, she has been consulting on a number of archival projects, including her work with Centre County Historical Society, University Club, and Williamsport Public Library, to name a few. She has authored numerous books and articles including The Nittany Lion, All Illustrated Tale.