Undergraduate Student Government President Ian Rosenberger gave freshmen some useful advice during Friday night's President's Convocation, courtesy of his grandmother: Find a nice girl, marry right out of college, "and make sure she knows how to polka."

Rosenberger then provided the new students with his own personal insights, focusing mainly on the value of becoming involved around campus from the start.

"Take the golden opportunity before you," he said. "Nowhere else is there such a great mixture ... great course selection, cultural events."

He also encouraged students to become involved in student government and to feel free to come to him or any other member of government for help.

"I'm 6 feet 8 inches," he joked. "I can't be hard to find."

Before the speakers took to the stage, Savoir Faire, the university's only all-female a cappella group, had the crowd clapping in rhythm with their renditions of three songs, including Madonna's "Like a Prayer."

Nicole Lobaugh, the Penn State Board of Trustees' student member, then introduced the Nittany Lion, and all eyes turned to the back of the auditorium as he made his way through the crowd.

Lobaugh led the group in counting out loud as the Lion did 18 one-armed push-ups, before revealing that the mascot was actually a special guest -- Penn State President Graham Spanier.

Spanier introduced some facts that had many students laughing -- and some cringing.

He said the cereal of choice in the dining halls is Lucky Charms; the Creamery produces 2.5 million ice cream cones a year; the average student washes their sheets only four times during a 15-week semester.

"Just so you know, there are laundry facilities in all of our [dorms]," he said, laughing.

State College mayor Bill Welch then addressed the students, designating each of them as citizens of State College. He asked that each student stand up for civility, courtesy and caring in an effort to help maintain harmony in the community.

"In a troubled world, [State College] is a happy place to live," he said. "We earn that 'Happy Valley' title every day."

Spanier later returned to the stage to give his own welcome to the class, which included a plea for students to get involved on campus right away.

"With each passing day, if you are involved in campus life, the campus will seem to become smaller," he said.

Then he introduced four members of the class who had excelled in high school: one who had a perfect grade point average (GPA), one who is currently composing a full orchestral symphony, one who was class president for three consecutive years, and one with both a perfect GPA and SAT score.

Afterwards, some freshmen said the convocation made them feel welcome at the university.

"They put a lot of effort into [the speeches] and they seemed like they really wanted us here," Rob Lamond (freshman-mechanical engineering) said.

Amanda Mascarenas (freshman-education) said she enjoyed the evening, but added that the speakers did not discuss what she was looking forward to most.

"I'm most excited about the football games," she said.