November 2013 Penn State Beaver Roar
News
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Bistro Plaza remembers Chef Dawn
CAMERON BOGGS Staff Writer
cgb5148@psu.edu
It was a cold, rainy day on Oct. 16. The wind was blowing and you could feel fall in the air. Despite the dismal weather, students and staff came together to celebrate the official opening of the new Brodhead Bistro patio. What once was enough space for a couple of tables, has been expanded over the summer to a large, multipurpose area with enough space to host an outdoor event. Located right off the Bistro dining room, the patio can hold numerous tables and also has tiered seating built into the landscaping. Luke Taiclet, director of finance and business, said that the student members of the Student Facility Fee committee brought up the idea of expanding the plaza with Facility Fee funds. He said he was surprised, but very happy, when they decided to make this project their priority.
Penn State Beaver/Cathy Benscoter
During the Bistro Plaza dedication, students watch as a plaque is unveiled in the butterfly garden.
Part of the grand reopening included the unveiling of a memorial to former Chef Dawn Steele. Steele passed away unexpectedly last November after having worked at the campus for 18 years.
The memorial plaque was placed in a butterfly garden in front of the Bistro; Steele was well known for her love of butterflies. “The original plans called for Sweetspire (shrubs) at the ramp entry
and at the far end. We changed them to butterfly bushes in memory of Chef Dawn,” Taiclet said. The addition allows a better opportunity for people to meet as they are going to and from class and
to grab a bite to eat while catching up on work. Sophomore Katie Dennis was pleased about what she saw at the reopening. “I’m so thrilled because not only does it make it easier to meet up with people walking on campus, but it’s a great place to grab a Starbucks and sit on the patio,” Dennis said. “Also it’s nice that Penn State Beaver had a memorial for Ms. Steele,” she added. The new expanded space will allow for more eating, socializing, studying and fun. “I am looking forward to spring and having students sitting on the walls and at the new tables while enjoying outdoor programs,” Taiclet added. Junior Matt Dorenkott is anticipating spending a significant amount of time during his breaks enjoying a pizza and a drink. If it’s a nice, balmy day in the winter, he might even take his food outside, he said.
University seeks to unify its message with new brand LINDSAY BANGOR Senior Staff Writer lmb5793@psu.edu
“Penn State Lives Here.” We have all seen the signs plastered around campus, but what exactly do the signs mean? “It is a re-branding of the university,” said Amy Krebs, director of campus community and relations. “Penn State Lives Here” is a unifying statement being used across all the Penn State campuses. “I think is shows consistency,” said Krebs. “It shows how the excellence of Penn State is universal.” The slogan is still fairly new and some students are unsure of its meaning. “If the slogan means the heart of Penn State lives here, then that’s awesome,” said freshman Brianna Ditri. “But there should have been a more thorough explanation of it all.”
The ROAR/Dante Massey
Students show their school pride during a photo shoot to promote a new university branding campaign.
And that is exactly what the marketing experts at University Park are planning to do. University Marketing is in the process of putting together a blog that will explain the slogan’s impor-
tance and allow students and graduates to post pictures and write about experiences at Penn State. “I love the slogan,” said Krebs. “It really embodies the excellence and quality that we are.”
Although the slogan is meant to unify members of Penn State, some students are finding it hard to embrace. “I feel it is condescending to the branch campuses,” said freshmen
Jake Maxwell. “It feels we are almost subordinate.” Freshmen Peter Ellefson agrees that it may not be the best slogan for Penn State. “I do find it encouraging, but it also seems to be a little misleading,” Ellefson said. In addition to the mixed reviews, some feared “Penn State Lives Here” was going to replace the well-liked slogan “It’s Your Time.” “People were worried that slogan was going to be forgotten,” said Krebs. “However ‘Penn State Lives Here’ is simply adding to what Penn State is about,” she said. Freshmen Katherine Loza liked the idea of unity among the Penn State community. “I think it’s a nice new way of linking all of the Penn State campuses and people together.”