It has been 100 years since the first gray squirrels appeared at Penn State’s University Park campus. According to the March 24, 1925 edition of The Collegian, four pairs of gray squirrels were purchased that year for $30 to bring wildlife to Penn State and help make the campus more beautiful. Since then, the squirrels have grown in both population and popularity. Whether they chase each other up and down trees across the Mall, steal a snack from an unsuspecting student’s bag, or pose for a camera, the squirrels have become a beloved addition to the institution.
This Penn State Instagram post showcases some pictures of these charming campus critters, as captured by undergraduate student Sean Ambrogi.