Correction appended
When one student returned to her Beaver Avenue apartment early Friday morning, an unexpected gift was waiting for her.
Ashley Lerner (senior-journalism) found a fish head taped to her door with a message reading, "Thon '08."
"The fish head looked to have been brought home from a restaurant dinner," State College Police Sgt. Mark Argiro said, adding that the incident was probably a gag.
In other Thon mischief, Penn State Police Sgt. Cyprien Brien said Gary Grayek (senior-economics) registered a .232 blood-alcohol content when he was cited at the Bryce Jordan Center Friday night for public drunkenness and underage drinking.
"Unfortunately, this is for the kids, but people still have to come and get drunk," Brien said.
"If it's really for the kids, how about not drinking for one weekend?"
Despite a sign posted at the entrance of the Bryce Jordan Center proclaiming Thon "an alcohol-free" event, Brien said Grayek tried to enter the BJC near the posted warning and was told he could not enter the building.
Grayek proceeded to enter through another door and was apprehended by officers, university police said.
Aside from this, which was considered to be an isolated incident, Penn State Police Sgt. Don Hazel said Thon attendees seemed to be "well-behaved."
Most visibly intoxicated patrons, he said, heeded first-time warnings from the heightened number of university police staff and Rules and Regulations committee members present at the BJC.
While in line around 1 a.m. Sunday to get a floor pass, two visitors who smelled of alcohol were asked to leave by Rules and Regulations committee members.
The men left without further incident.
Hazel said a female Thon visitor was taken by ambulance to Mount Nittany Medical Center after she fainted and hit her head on the floor of the restroom in the Bryce Jordan Center concourse near Portal 13.
It is not clear whether the incident was alcohol related.
Michael Petrasek, public relations committee overall chairman, said he wasn't aware of any serious medical emergencies involving Thon dancers, who he said were all "healthy and happy."
"We've had such a great Thon this year," Petrasek added.
"Everyone has been on their best behavior."
Collegian Staff Writer Erin Prah contributed to this report.
This article incorrectly stated the charges against student Gary Grayek. He was cited with criminal trespass and public drunkenness.
