Beginning today, first-year students will be given the chance to find out what Penn State homecoming is all about during on-campus Pride Week.

In an effort to involve and excite students about their first homecoming, the university relations committee will have tables set up in the East, South and Pollock Halls' commons, university relations overall chairperson Deanne DeCrescenzo (senior-marketing, French and international studies) said.

Penn State clubs and groups will be represented at the tables, each group rotating to all three commons areas throughout the event, which lasts from today through Thursday, DeCrescenzo said.

"It's a lot of fun if you're just walking through any of the commons," she said.

The event, which is mostly informational, will also include features such as learning the Penn State fight songs and the alma mater.

Prizes will be given away to students who answer Penn State trivia questions, Pride Week captain Allison Riley (senior-civil engineering) said.

There will also be an "ultimate Penn State fan" contest at 5 p.m. on Thursday in all three commons, with a prize awarded to the student dressed in the best school gear at each location.
"We're just trying to get everyone excited about Penn State and homecoming," Riley said.

The event, geared toward students living in the residence halls, is meant to prepare students for their first homecoming, said Laura Rudy (senior-elementary education), a Pride Week captain.
"It's celebrating the tradition of Penn State," Rudy said.

Along with the trivia contests, students will also be able to test their musical knowledge with quizzes on the lyrics of songs such as "Hail to the Lion" and the alma mater, Rudy said.

Many of the prizes awarded will be shirts and sweatshirts from last year's homecoming events, but this year's homecoming gear will also be on sale.

Students can will be able to purchase T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts and sweatshirts for $7, $10 and $17, respectively.

While some of the groups represented are well known, like the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (Thon) and the Lion Scouts, others are groups that first-year students may not know as much about, Rudy said.

There will be representatives from the university relations committee and other represented groups will be in East, South and Pollock halls' commons areas from 4 to 7 p.m. today through Thursday, DeCrescenzo said.