Considering all the attention that was lavished on visiting governors, it's easy to wonder if Penn State's own visiting alumni have been neglected.

But they haven't, thanks to the efforts of the Downtown State College Partnership and the Penn State Alumni Association.

The two groups installed historic plaques at seven downtown buildings which honor the buildings' history and give alumni something to be proud of, said Marty Starling, interim executive director of the partnership.

"They (alumni) said they didn't like what they were seeing when they came back," Starling said. "This gives them something to relate to and enriches their enjoyment."

Each plaque features a picture of the building it honors as it originally appeared upon completion, along with a detailed account of that building's history.

"This is a service to our alumni," said April Scimio of the association. "They've been here four to five years, and while they might know the history of the school, they often don't know the history of the town. And the whole Penn State experience includes experiencing the town."

An education about downtown State College's history was the partnership's goal, Starling said.

"We cover the area's most significant buildings from a historical perspective," she said. "The idea was to build up more knowledge about buildings we have in the area."

Representatives of the buildings bearing the new plaques have thus far been grateful.

"State College is such a transient community that it's neat having these plaques to educate people how this town has evolved and been of use to this community," said Mike Desmond, a Penn State alumnus and a partner of Hotel State College and Co., 100 W. College Ave.

Gary Moyer, owner of Moyer Jewelers, 100 E. College Ave., echoed Desmond's approval of the plaques.

"State College gets lots of visitors who were students here 30, 40, 50 years ago," he said. "(They) like to go where they used to go and see how things have changed."

Moyer pointed out that one need not be a Penn State graduate, however, to enjoy the plaques. "You don't have to have been here 30 years ago to appreciate the tradition and history of this town," he said.

Starling said in addition to aiding alumni, the plaques could "build public pride."

Desmond agreed and said the interest in the town the plaques will create is essential.

"Interest creates interest, and while the past is the past, this is an education-based community," he said. "To better the future development of this community, we need to recognize its past."