Penn State University: a few words that come to mind when thinking about Penn State are Joe Paterno, football, tradition, and THON. Penn State has created a brand unlike any other University. The scope and depth of this iconic school is immeasurable. The community of alumni that Penn State has created is the largest in the United States. The reputation of the school continues to expand into business, medicine, and law. The students at the school absolutely love it here and Penn State is consistently ranked one of the happiest schools in the nations. One of our nicknames for the area we live in is even called “Happy Valley.” But what about the school creates such a strong community? What kind of relationship does Penn State create with its students and consumers to provide that sense of community? More specifically, I’m going to be talking about my personal experience with the Penn State brand and how I see the relationship. I will be exploring just a few of the consumer-brand relationships forms.
I would consider my relationship with Penn State to be a committed partnership. This long-term relationship started as a simple crush when I was first introduced to the Penn State football team by my father who is a Penn State alumnus. The tradition at the school was unlike anything I had seen. The plain blue and white uniforms brings a sense of character to the football team. Joe Paterno is seen as a local hero for not only being an amazing coach, but for being a humanitarian. At first I was apprehensive to appreciate a school so far from home, but once I visited the campus my crush turned into an obsession. The environment of the campus is just one way in which I believe it attracts students to the University. The college town atmosphere makes anyone who comes here feel instantly a part of the community. The downtown area is filled with blue and white, students walk the streets smiling and talking about classes, and all the while an exotic night life encapsulates the town every weekend. Yet, it wasn’t until the application process did I feel as though I could have a serious relationship with Penn State.
As a senior in high school I had my choice of virtually any school I wanted. I had 4.0 GPA, over 2000 on my SAT’s; I was my high school quarterback, valedictorian, and student body president. Not to toot my own horn, but it’s hard to find someone that did more than me in high school. I was the perfect candidate for any University across the nation. So how did I end up at Penn State of all places? How did this school seduce me into coming to State College, PA? Although I would be the fourth generation in my family to attend Penn State this had no impact on my decision. The atmosphere of the school, the tradition of its sports, the academic reputation, the social scene, and the numerous opportunities were all top tier for any University. Penn State does an amazing job of creating an image of “the perfect school to excel.” There is almost no aspect in which Penn State lacks and I believe this is why they succeed in bringing thousands of students across the country to Happy Valley each year.
It is not until one arrives to Penn State do they truly become a committed partner to the Penn State brand. Although there are close to 40,000 students on campus it is quite easy to find a niche for yourself in the University. One finds no effort in finding people that are interested in the same activities as you, which in turn allows you to develop a community within the community. But the Penn State student body as a whole is one of the most (if not the most) loyal consumer base in the nation. The pride that each student has for their school at Penn State is unbelievable. No matter what circumstances may occur at Penn State, the students remain committed.
In the past few weeks Penn State has suffered a horrible tragedy that may go down as the largest scandal in sports history. The atrocities that have befallen the campus are too daunting to put into words. Yet through it all Penn State students have remained loyal to their school. They have made a serious effort to repair the damage that was done as well as takes the necessary steps to ensure something like this never happens again. At any other school, this may be seen as a catastrophe that was doomed to tear the school apart; yet at Penn State this is an opportunity for us to come together and rebuild our reputation as one of the best schools in the country. This could not be possible if it were not for the strong community that exists here.
Through thick and thin, I will bleed white and blue till I die. WE ARE.
No comments:
Post a Comment