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Nittany Lion Wind Vane Gifted to Penn State
(STATE COLLEGE, PA, AUG. 2, 2001) - When Joe Paterno or any of the 104,000-plus fans at Penn State's newly expanded Beaver Stadium casts a weather eye to the sky, they'll now see the wind direction on one of the world's largest weather vanes, courtesy of the founder and president of AccuWeather and AccuWeather.com, and his wife. The vane, sculpted in the shape of a Nittany Lion, is the gift of Dr. and Mrs. Joel N. Myers. Dr. Myers is a 20-year member of the University's Board of Trustees, and taught meteorology there for 19 years before retiring from teaching to join the Board. It is scheduled to be mounted at Beaver Stadium on August 2, 2001, as part of the expansion that will make the stadium the second largest college football venue in the nation. "Peggy and I are grateful for the many benefits we and AccuWeather have gained from our association with Penn State," Dr. Myers said. "The Nittany Lion Vane is simply one way we can thank the University and its Department of Meteorology, and provide a lasting gift that is associated with my profession, and which will provide a lasting reminder of the importance of weather to the University community and Penn State football fans." Dr. Myers founded AccuWeather in 1962, while he was a graduate student at Penn State, from which he received Bachelor's, Masters, and Doctorate degrees. Today, AccuWeather is the world's leading commercial weather service, with 15,000 clients worldwide. It is headquartered in State College, PA, and employs 400, including 100 forecast meteorologists - the largest number forecasting under one roof, anywhere. Created by world renowned weather vane sculptor Travis Tuck, the artist believes that the Nittany Lion Vane is one of the largest in the world. Mr. Tuck specializes in one-of-a-kind weather vanes, including ones which he sculpted in the shape of a dinosaur for director Steven Spielberg following the release of his movie, Jurassic Park, and one in the shape of a shark which he created for use in the movie, Jaws. Fabricated of one-eighth-inch copper sheeting over a stainless steel skeleton, the Nittany Lion Vane tips the scales at an estimated 2,300 pounds. It is approximately 10 feet long, five feet high at the shoulders, and four feet wide at its broadest point. Mr. Tuck used a technique called Repoussé to create the monumental work. "Repoussé means, literally, to push out a work from behind and that is how this was created," he explained. "It is the same technique, and material, that was used to create the Statue of Liberty over 100 years ago." It will be mounted approximately 104 feet above the playing field, on a 30-foot, 11-inch-thick column. About AccuWeather and AccuWeather.com AccuWeather.com, The World's Weather Authority®, provides a portfolio of products and services through the airwaves, via the Internet, in print, and behind the scenes that benefit hundreds of millions of people worldwide. AccuWeather.com services more than 130,000 paying customers in media, business, government and institutions, and millions more through the website. AccuWeather.com also provides content onto more than 1200 Internet sites including CNN Interactiv, ABC's owned and operated stations, The Associated Press©, The Washington Post and The New York Times. To speak with an AccuWeather meteorologist about breaking weather news, contact 814-235-8650. For additional information on AccuWeather and AccuWeather.com, please contact Emily DiTomo or Tony Defazio at 610-642-8253. |