Nittany Lion Shrine and other buildings vandalized overnight

Penn State announced Sunday that the Nittany Lion Shrine had been vandalized overnight.

According to the university, vandals broke an ear and splashed red paint on the shrine in addition to graffitiing on Old Main and the Hintz Family Alumni Center in red paint.

The Lion Shrine is an iconic spot for graduates and families who want to take pictures to remember the momentous weekend.

On Sunday, though, it was closed behind security fencing.

"Shocked," said Collin Muran, who was with his family.

"It's kind of sad," Christy Parker told 6 News in her cap and gown.

Blue and White faithful are seeing red.

"Well, you can see kind of over the fence. It looks like they really, really went at it with lot of paint," Muran observed.

The Lion Shrine is one of the big landmarks of Penn State.

"This is tradition," Parker explained. "So all the graduates come through and take their pictures. And there was a line of people standing down here."

It's also been a target for vandals.

The overnight vandalism is a blow for students looking to celebrate their big achievement.

"So, I graduated yesterday, but we saw that the rain was gonna stop today. So, we were excited to come back into town and try and get all the pictures," Parker recalled. "And we walked down and saw that the lion had been painted and the ear had been broken off and they have everything gated off."

"It's a little disheartening, especially for those of us that flew across the country to graduate this weekend and, you know, sort of take those pictures and have those memories," she added, having flown from California herself for her ceremony.

"We were planning to come here, take a picture with the whole family, and found out online, had to come check it out, but was a little disappointed," Muran said.

"They picked the worst weekend possible for it, honestly," he added. "You know, these are the times when all the families come in, are able to enjoy the statue, and to not be able to use it now is a tough one."

The vandalism at Old Main was cleaned up by around midday, but it is not yet known when the Lion Shrine's repairs will finish.

The university says the shrine will not be available for commencement photos as it is being fenced off and police are investigating.

PSU is asking anyone with information to contact University Police at 814-863-1111 or submit a tip online at https://www.police.psu.edu/report-crime.

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