UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Organizers said they had a successful first year for the LION Dash 5k, raising money for a local non-profit as well as bringing local residents and students together for an on-foot tour of State College Borough.

Molly Nulty, assistant director of welcome programs for Student Orientation and Transition Programs at Penn State, said 122 runners came out for the Aug. 25 event, twice the number that attended the 2017 on-campus event.

With the help of State College Borough, Left Right Repeat and area sponsors, $2,000 was raised to benefit Centre Safe, formerly known as the Centre County Women’s Resource Center.

For Penn State organizers, the hope was to help students build a stronger relationship with the State College area and introduce them to some of the borough’s residential neighborhoods on foot, bolstering the mission for LION events, which stands for Living in One Neighborhood.

Runners and walkers first headed south on South Allen Street then used Easterly Parkway, South Pugh Street and Nimitz Avenue to head east to University Drive. From there, runners turned north and used East Hamilton Avenue, South Pugh Street and East Foster Avenue to return to South Allen.

Just a few days later, on Aug. 29, the annual LION Bash was held, which also helped to build upon University relations with State College, with students and residents mingling on South Allen Street. This was the biggest year yet for the Bash with 150 stations for music, games, engagement and education, and over 2,000 attendees.

Douglas Shontz, State College Borough spokesman, said the Dash proved to be a good addition to the events.

“The Borough’s Office of Community Engagement is always looking for new and fun events to add to its LION program and ultimately build a stronger community for all residents,” Shontz said. “This event had a great mix of student and long-term residents joining together to explore the community, while also getting some exercise."

Living In One Neighborhood activities are a part of Welcome Week events from Penn State and Student Orientation and Transition Programs. To learn more, visit orientation.psu.edu.

Planning for LION Bash and Dash was accomplished by Penn State Student Orientation and Transition Programs, Student Affairs, University Police and Public Safety and Off-Campus Student Support along with State College Police, Public Works and the Community Engagement Office.

For more information from State College Borough about all LION activities, contact the Office of Community Engagement at engage@statecollegepa.us.

The Office of Student Orientation and Transition Programs is part of Penn State Student Affairs and Penn State Undergraduate Education. Penn State Undergraduate Education is the academic administrative unit that provides leadership and coordination for University-wide programs and initiatives in support of undergraduate teaching and learning at Penn State. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.