How a $32 investment in 1925 turned Eastern gray squirrels into campus icons
Bushy tails skittering across Old Main lawn may be a normal sight now, but those Eastern gray squirrels we now know so well didn’t always build their nests on campus. It all started with $32 and a desire for new wildlife at Penn State. In 1925, the first four Eastern gray squirrels were shipped to the university. The hunt for new campus wildlife was a success, but little did the administrators know that those squirrels would still be here more than a century later, having experiences just as unforgettable as those made by Penn State students, staff, and faculty.
Now, the squirrels have built their celebrity status on campus, and they populate the entire town in abundance. The squirrels are nearly always an arm’s reach away, and they’re never afraid to remind us that we live, work, and play on their territory.
Tapping into the wisdom of the squirrel whisperer herself, Mary Krupa — who works as a conservation interpreter at Shaver’s Creek — insight emerges into what gives local furry friends their celebrity status. Sneezy the Squirrel brings the energy, and Krupa shared how squirrels play a positive role in Pennsylvania conservation.
Krupa interprets town celebrity Sneezy the Squirrel’s small squeaks for the question-and-answer session. “I never set out to be a celebrity — I’m just a normal squirrel with a fashion sense, an internet connection, and a desire to spread joy!” Sneezy says.
Watching squirrels in action brings a joyous reminder of our connection to the natural world, especially when Pennsylvania forests have faced their fair share of struggles. Krupa explains, “During the turn of the century, decades of industrial logging had left almost all of Pennsylvania completely devoid of trees, and no trees meant no squirrels and no other wildlife that relied on trees.”
Because of those $32 spent, we now have the satisfaction of watching our squirrels contribute to our shared, native habitat. They’re two parts hilarious and one part inspirational, a solid reminder of the seasons of life.
Acorn-filled cheeks running down East College Avenue usher in autumn’s arrival. On sunny winter days, squirrels peek their ears out of oak trees to bask in a bit of warmth, and they’re the first ones to remind us that it’s finally spring when they re-enter the large sprawls of plants and people walking to and from their campus destinations.
It’s a blessing we found a way to repopulate Central Pennsylvania with the natural flora and wildlife it needed to thrive. Most important of all, our squirrels show us the natural joy of keeping close to nature. Sneezy the Squirrel’s celebrity status is proof of it, a reminder of the importance of keeping close to our furry friends.
For the new generation of Eastern gray squirrels taking over town this spring, Sneezy the Squirrel has the perfectly fitting welcome message:
“Congratulations! You are part of a long, illustrious tradition of Penn State squirrels stretching back more than 100 years! Be sure to keep your fur well-groomed and fluffy; Penn State squirrels are proud to be the cleanest and healthiest in the Big Ten.”
And for anyone with questions, “Feel free to stop by the big elm in front of Old Main to meet with your R.A. (rodent advisor),” Sneezy says. To keep up with the most famous squirrel in town, follow good ‘ole Sneezy the Squirrel on both Instagram (@sneezysquirrel) and Facebook (@SneezySquirrel).
“Here’s wishing for a successful semester for Penn Staters of all species!” says Sneezy. T&G
Angelique Redwood is a freelance writer based in State College.
