For the first time, merchandise with the Homecoming logo on it will be available for purchase during tomorrow's parade.

"Selling the logo at the parade has never been done before," said Tara Dulaney, the overall Homecoming chair. "So many people requested merchandise with the logo on it that we decided to go the THON [Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon] route and put it on T-shirts."

Students and alumni can thank Barbara Roan (senior-graphic design), the designer of this year's Homecoming logo for that.

"My inspiration was from the different generations coming together to Penn State and tradition and what that means and encompasses," Roan said of the multiple lions included in the graphic. "It's the spirit and history of coming together and celebrating."

Rick Dietz (senior-kinesiology) said he thought the design was original and different from the regular Penn State logo.

Roan designed the logo as a class assignment for Art 371 (Applied Communication), which she took in the spring.

She said a member of the Homecoming committee came into class and explained the theme was "One pride upholding tradition." Each of the 20 students designed a logo they felt represented the theme.

Roan said design students are taught to look at each design as a problem needing to be solved.

"Graphic design is not just creating imagery," she said. "It's a problem-solving technique. You do research on Homecoming, think of the audience and parameters of where it will be used."

Kristin Sommese, Roan's professor for the class, said throughout the course, the students start with just a concept and then work the entire process until a final design is completed.

Sommese said students mostly start with sketches and eventually put the artwork on the computer to doctor it and place finishing touches on it.

She added the student's finished pieces were done well.

"Everything we gave the Homecoming committee I was happy with," Sommese said. "They actually had a hard time choosing."

Dulaney was on the committee to choose the logo.

She said it was an extremely hard decision and was debated about for many hours.

"We looked for a logo that really represented the theme of uniting the campus together and of Lion pride," Dulaney said.

Not only did Roan receive perks like unveiling the logo on the field of Beaver Stadium during the Blue and White game last spring, but she said designing the logo was a valuable learning tool as well.

"It was good experience working with a client from start to finish, the whole concept," Roan said.

Sommese said the class is set up as a design firm, where she takes on the role the art director.

"Students have conferences where they kick around ideas," she said. "They are competing with each other but at the same time they help each other's work become strong."

Sommese said students from this class have designed logos for THON for more than 10 years.

Roan said she would love to work in a design company or possibly an advertising agency after she graduates this spring.

She said the widespread publicity of her work would help her land a job in those fields.

"It'll definitely help me in some ways as a piece of my portfolio for me to show future employers," she said.