It’s not much of a secret that certain tensions exist between the Penn State student population and State College’s long-term residents.
On one hand, you have the stereotypical image of loud and disruptive college students. On the other, you have the equally stereotypical image of crotchety residents who want students out of their neighborhoods.
But Centrice Mulfinger, a community engagement officer with the State College borough, knows that neither of these portrayals are accurate.
“When looking at the town-gown relationship, we can see that certain lifestyle conflicts exist,” Mulfinger says. “But that just means we have an opportunity to foster citizen responsibility and good relationships between neighbors.”
In her experience working with Penn State students, Mulfinger has learned that some freshman may not realize how close residential housing sits to the university. Other students may not fully understand the borough’s ordinances on simple things like noise, trash removal and snow shoveling, but express great empathy for their neighbors once they learn about their civic responsibilities.
That’s why the borough has partnered with Penn State to create a new, free event called the LION Bash, which will celebrate “Living In One Neighborhood” on August 27 starting at 6:00 p.m. on the 200 block of South Allen Street.
“We want to bring people together while having fun,” Mulfinger says. “If you can make connections with people, then you’ll be more inclined to be considerate about what it takes to be a good neighbor.”
The bash will feature a number of “engagement stations” put together by different organizations, including student groups, neighborhood associations, and local businesses. Different stations will each have a different focus and fun games and activities, but each one will have an educational component to help students and residents alike understand how they can both be better neighbors to each other.
There will everything from food, a dunk tank and cornhole games to a State College trivia game and KanJam, a kind of ultimate frisbee game where students and residents will team up and throw down. Attendees will also have the chance to register to win prizes, including a brand new IPad.
State College public works will host a salt truck demonstration in preparation for the upcoming winter, and a community storytelling booth will explore popular legends of Happy Valley. Popular local band Pure Cane Sugar will also be on hand to rock out with their unique blend of americana, folk and rock and roll.
With any luck, Mulfinger says, the LION Bash will become an annual event to continue bringing the generations of students and residents together for years to come.
“I really want students to see this community as place that’s very similar to their home, wherever they’re from,” Mulfinger says. “We have grandparents and parents and children, and they help make this place special, just like the students.”
