Most dedication ceremonies draw dignitaries. Saturday morning's event just happened to draw one back from the dead. Sort of.

The spirit of Evan Pugh — embodied by impersonator Jerome Pasto — was among the past and present leaders of Penn State gathered to unveil the new Hintz Family Alumni Center this weekend.

Pasto, associate dean emeritus of resident instruction, made a "surprise" appearance as the first president of the university at the end of the hour-long ceremony. Pugh is credited with designing University House, renovated as part of the construction project and now the eastern wing of the 43,000-square-foot facility.

Speaking to a crowd of about 400 in the center's grassy courtyard, Diane Ryan highlighted a theme of linking Penn State's past, present and future.

"This 137-year-old magnificent stone building has never looked so proud and stately as it does today. While its original role was a home for the president, it is now a home for alumni," said Ryan, executive director of the Penn State Alumni Association.

"You'll see today that we have built not only a magnificent new structure, but we've given new life to the 'grand lady' who was built in 1864."

Penn State President Graham Spanier told the crowd about the decision to locate the alumni center near the center of campus.

"For the first time in Penn State's 146-year history, alumni will have a physical presence providing them with a true home and fostering more interaction with students, faculty and staff," Spanier said. "It is our desire that this new center will strengthen an already strong bridge between alumni and this institution."

In a lighter moment, Spanier told an anecdote about his first day as head of the university in 1995, for the benefit of alumni donors Ed and Helen Hintz.

"I too attempted to enter a building under construction so that I could have a look around. It was The Bryce Jordan Center and I was denied access," he said.

When Spanier told the security guard his new position, Spanier quoted the man as saying, "Nice to meet you — I'm the Pope. Now get lost or I'll have you arrested."

Spanier then presented the Hintzs with a pair of keys to the building that now bares their name "so we don't have this problem again."

At the end of the dedication, Pasto, sporting a stovepipe hat, glasses and thick beard, ambled up to the podium and introduced himself as the spirit of Pugh.

With weighty pauses after each sentence, he recounted episodes from his presidency when Penn State's future was still uncertain and told of his untimely death at 36.

"This return journey has been very emotional for me, and I still have to return to my eternal resting place alongside Rebecca (his wife) in Union Cemetery in Bellefonte," Pasto said as Pugh.

Overall, Penn State's first president seemed impressed by the new alumni center.

"Now we see this lovely structure before us," he said. "Most buildings have to exist for a long time before they develop a character and have a soul of their own. This building has character already."

After the speeches, alumni and friends dipped into cartons of Alumni Swirl ice cream from the Penn State Creamery and toured the alumni center.

Gas fires blazed in the hearths and colorful flower arrangements adorned the new furniture around Robb Hall, the central gathering place.

Ed Hintz, who chairs the Penn State Board of Trustees, said he looked forward to the time when he could relax and enjoy the new facility.

"I can just imagine sitting in Robb Hall on a snowy day and looking out on Old Main and reflecting on all the wonderful people we've met through our association here," he said. "And asking the person sitting next to me, 'What class were you in? . . . What college? . . . Do you know?' It just looks like a wonderful place to be."