Down Memory Loop

I enjoyed the college jobs article [“Somebody’s Gotta Do It,” Nov./Dec., p. 42]. I worked all through college: steelworker, painter, gas station attendant, anything to pay the tuition. My Penn State job was to drive the Loop Bus. We started that service in January 1974. It was brand-new, and most students either didn’t know about it or just liked to walk. We made a loop through campus and then over to Grad Circle. Because we had very few riders, we usually zipped through our route and then waited at the starting point. We drove old city buses from the Allentown area. It was good pay and fun to talk to the students. It was relatively easy (no CDL or special license needed) and helped pay tuition and room and board. After graduation, I taught for 25 years and was a principal for 11. I then used the bus driving experience to earn my CDL and drove a tractor trailer for five years. Thanks, Penn State, for hiring me!

Phil Turton ’76 Edu
Bethlehem, Pa.

 

Thanks, Tom

The Penn Stater noted the passing of former Nittany Lion running back Tom Donchez [Since Last Time, Nov./Dec., p. 32]. In the winter of 1971-72, Tom played center for the Hemlock House intramural basketball team that won the campus dormitory house championship. Tom’s ferocious defense and rebounding were big reasons why Hemlock House won the title. As a member of that team, I always wanted to say thanks to Tom. We couldn’t have gone all the way without him.

Tom Witt ’73 Com
Middletown, Conn.

 

Nittany Hall

I greatly appreciated the letter and photo of “Memories of Nittany Hall” in the September/October edition [Letters, p. 10]. I too lived in one of the old Nittany Halls, although I do not recall the number. It was such a unique experience, I would not have traded it for any other dormitory. For some unknown reason I had a telephone in my room. I walked past the chicken coops every day and often heard a rooster call. I cut through some of the halls on the way to class or Pollock dining hall. I lived in Nittany Hall during the winter of 1974-1975 through the spring of 1977. I love that all of those Nittany residents still keep in touch—I wish our hall had kept in touch. If any of you Penn Staters remember me, I hope we find one another someday!

Barbara Tersak Hamilton ’77 Com
Canonsburg, Pa.

 

A Classic Inn

I found these photos of the Nittany Lion Inn (below), taken in November 1959, my freshman year. My dad is in one, on campus on business. My parents stayed there at least once a year for all of my four years. I was in Chapel Choir, and they came for all our concerts. I recall going up there at 7 a.m. some years six months prior to the date they were coming to make a reservation. It must have been for Thanksgiving or some fall [family] visit to be so popular. I’m so glad it wasn’t demolished!

Pat Mattson Forrester ’63 Edu
Colorado Springs, Colo.

 

 

 

 

We Are ... Around the World

My Alpha Xi Delta sister, Jen Schlarp, and I were traveling through Iceland last June. Lo and behold I saw a man, Randy Adams, and his wife, Sylvia, dressed up in Penn State attire! I called out, “We Are,” and without any hesitation he loudly responded, “Penn State!” After introductions and some reminiscing, we took pictures and headed back to our adventures. What a wonderful world!

Jenine Purcell Nowicke ’85 H&HD
Glencoe, Mo.

 

 

 

 

Send Us Your Stories

Share your memories of Rec Hall! 

 

 

A fixture at University Park since 1929 and still a vital center of campus life, the iconic Recreation Building has hosted thousands of visiting speakers, sporting events, concerts, commencements, nearly a decade worth of THONs, and more phys-ed classes than anyone could count. Now, we want to hear your favorite Rec Hall memories. Send your stories (no more than 250 words, please) to pennstater@psu.edu—we’ll compile as many as we can in an upcoming feature.