We are beginning our tour on the Northeast end of campus (remember to check the map icon to the left to see where we are throughout our tour).

Our first stop is Shields Building. This building was named after J. Franklin Shields, a member of the Board of Trustees (1905-1947) and president of the Board (1929-1946). Shields is the location of many important offices for students. Admissions, Scheduling, Records, the Bursar, and Student Aid are all in this building. Shields is on Curtin Road. Further east (just behind us) are the landmark Beaver Stadium and Bryce Jordan Center, which we will be visiting later on the tour.

Across the road from Shields is the Intramural Building, commonly called the IM Building. The three gyms are used for aerobics, basketball, badminton, martial arts, and volleyball. Also, there are 12 handball/racquetball courts, a jogging track, a wrestling/fitness room, and a weight room. When there are not events scheduled in these facilities, students can use the courts, gyms, and track at no charge. When the weather is not conducive to running outside, the IM building’s indoor track becomes a warmer/dryer alternative.

Penn State students are required to take approximately three credits of exercise science classes. Everything from scuba to skiing, ice-skating to self-defense are available. In one of the most popular courses, students pair up to learn to tango, to waltz, and many other ballroom dance steps. Some of these classes are taught in the IM Building.

Penn State has fitness, intramural, and club sport programs. Fitness programs include aerobics, step aerobics, line dancing, and strength training. There are 27 intramural tournaments for 15 sports. Residence hall communities, fraternities, and groups of friends form teams to compete for intramural titles. The Penn State Club Sports office is one of the largest in the country. There are more than 55 intercollegiate and regional clubs that range from archery to water polo. Clubs that have received national recognition include Ice Hockey, Women’s Soccer, Rugby, Cycling, Equestrian, and Outing.

Wagner Building is the home of Penn State’s ROTC program, one of the largest in the nation. Students can gain commissions through the Army, Air Force, Navy, or Marines. Wagner also houses Penn State’s educational television station, WPSX-TV, Channel 3, and the Penn State Continuing Education Office, which provides credit and noncredit courses for nontraditional students.