Main Inspiration

Ringing can be heard across campus.  Every hour, on the hour, Old Main comes to life with its music. In between every hour, on the half hour and quarter hours, it presents quick serenades of inspiration to those who are listening.

Old Main is truly my inspiration here at Penn State.  Along with this, it was my inspiration to begin writing this blog.  On one of my very first nights here, as I was walking back to my dorm, right as I was passing Old Main, I heard its chimes for the very first time.  I was in awe of the of the sounds that a building had brought to life.

In the daytime, Old Main stands out at the end of the long grassy lawn.  Students can constantly be seen racing by it on their way to classes or playing games along this grassy lawn.  The single bell tower spire of Old Main juts into the air, which can be seen from many different areas around campus.

In the night, Old Main stands alone at the end of a long pool of shadows.  These shadows are broken only by the lights of Old Main, occasional street lights, and lights rising from the ground, unseen in the daytime.

The front of Old Main is lit up and gives off a warm and inviting feeling.  This is felt even though the doors are firmly shut, and most likely locked, although I did not check.  These lights are what gives old main its power, and its beauty in the night. 

The bell tower still rises into the night as birds and bats, circle it in flight.  These are the only things that break the stillness between the chimes.  From Old Mains vantage, it can see to the busy town, but in the proximity to Old Main itself,  the bustle is gone.

Old Main does not sit alone in its world, but is joined by two flag poles.  One flying the flag of Pennsylvania while the other flies the American flag.  These flags, along with Old Main, create the feeling of inspiration that surrounds the area.  This is a place where a person can not only pull inspiration from their college, but also their state, and our country.

The inspiration that this building alone creates can be see all around it.  Old Main rallies people to service as well as to give back to their school.  One example of this repayment can be seen in the form of the sundial.  

The sundial is directly in front of old main, but can barely be seen in the shadow that lies before it. This sundial was a gift from the class of 1915, and on it are the words, "Grow old with me.  The best is yet to be."  Nothing can sum up the inspiration of old main more than these ten words.

This sundial shows that even with Penn State's rich history, there is still more stories to be told and greater deeds to be done.  This sundial also inspires me to start looking toward what my class, the class of 2020 can do to repay our school.