Class Celebrates School Spirit With Whiteout

By Patrick Beal (September 2011)

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Professor Keith B. Wilson's Rehabilitation and Human Services 302 class organized an in-class whiteout September 9, 2011 to increase school spirit in the classroom. The event took place a day before 110,000 fans filled Beaver Stadium to cheer on Penn State against Alabama, in all white of course.

Professor Wilson mentioned the idea, in passing, to the class that a whiteout could spruce up school spirit in the RHS undergraduate class. “This was one of the best experiences I have ever had in class as a professor,” said Professor Wilson. “The energy and excitement was apparent and noteworthy.”

Not even the whiteout could prevent the class from having their regularly scheduled lecture, though the students did have a conversation about the Penn State-Alabama football game and its surrounding events regarding school spirit. “I was entirely shocked at how much more open the classroom environment was when everybody had a simple white t-shirt on,” said Chad Littlefield.

The class, named Client Assessment in Rehabilitation and Human Services, teaches students how to properly evaluate the helping process when dealing with customers among other important lessons. “It was the ultimate school spirit experience,” said Alex Holmes. “It was also a reminder that bleeding blue and white is more than just being a football fan, it’s being a good student in the classroom.”