The HUB lawn was the center of environmental consciousness on campus yesterday as students and community members gathered to celebrate Earth Day.

The daylong program featured speakers encouraging those in attendance to be more ecologically aware, as well as local bands and performing groups.

State College Borough Council member Elizabeth Goreham spoke about the responsibility that comes with being an environmentalist. She said she would like to see an environmental component in every purchasing decision the borough makes. More bike trails in the region, and a commitment by the borough and the university to make sure that 15 percent of the paper they purchase is recycled were other ideas.

"There's no better time to be an environmental extremist," she added.

Goreham said the best way to change things would be for students, faculty and council members to form a coalition that would press for the 15 percent commitment.

The audience crowded around the stage as the Crabapple Gang performed the Dr. Seuss story The Lorax. In costume with accompanying music, the members told the story of negative effects of consumerism on the environment.

NOMMO Performing Arts Company performed several traditional African dances and concluded with a "community circle," when the dancers invited members of the audience to come up and perform with them. Many in the crowd took them up on the offer.

As the day got brighter, more students came out to enjoy the weather.

"It's a beautiful day and I'm taking advantage of it," said Sarah Hitner (senior-advertising).

Paul Ruskin, spokesman for the Office of Physical Plant, talked about the environmental advances Penn State is making. The university intends to establish more responsible purchasing practices by not only looking at the price of the product, but at the life span of the product, Ruskin said.

"We've come a long way, and we have lots of good things coming in the future," Ruskin said.

He mentioned that this summer OPP will put solar cells on its building to power part of it, and the use of natural gas in OPP vans are other ways the university is doing its part. "Be proud of Penn State," Ruskin said. "The colors are blue and white, but they're soon going to be blue, white, and green."