In a bold move raising eyebrows and sparking campus-wide debate, President Neeli Bendapudi has reportedly approved the construction of a 50-foot-tall statue of herself on Old Main Lawn. The towering monument, which Bendapudi referred to as the “Girlboss Mentality Monumental Statue,” is expected to be completed by fall 2025, with construction beginning May 10.

The project, which has already been approved by the Board of Trustees, is expected to cost $75 million and will be funded through a combination of alumni donations and a newly introduced “Legacy Enhancement Fee,” which will be added to undergraduate tuition beginning summer 2025.

The announcement comes just weeks after Bendapudi confirmed plans to shut down several Penn State Commonwealth Campuses. The university’s plan for the statue has led some to question the optics of the university investing millions in a decorative monument while reducing its physical presence elsewhere.

According to university officials, the statue will be the largest of its kind on any college campus in the United States, surpassing Penn State’s “extinct” JoePa statue by approximately 43 feet and Purdue’s Neil Armstrong statue by nearly 40 feet.

Early design renderings reveal an imposing bronze figure that seemingly depicts Bendapudi in the same exact pose as the “extinct” JoePa statue. Bendapudi says her Paterno-esque pose symbolizes the “pursuit of limitless potential for Penn State.”

The statue itself will feature state-of-the-art technology, including a built-in holographic projection system that will display pre-recorded messages from Bendapudi during major university events. On the eve of every football game and commencement ceremony, the monument will reportedly project rotating beams of blue and white lights into the sky to “replicate the northern lights and amplify the community’s pride,” according to a release.

To save some money, the monument will reportedly be created from recycled debris from the demolition of Beaver Stadium’s press box, Bendapudi told Onward State.

Officials from the Office of Physical Plant (OPP) said the lawn will shrink to about half the size, once the statue is built to ensure its protection at all costs. A 12-foot fence will line around the area of the statue, allowing community members and visitors to take pictures of both Old Main and the statue simultaneously from a distance.

In an impromptu, intimate press conference, Bendapudi expressed humility about the project, acknowledging its significance and impact on campus.

“This isn’t about me,” Bendapudi told Onward State. “This is about Penn State’s unwavering commitment to growth and unity. I am simply honored to stand as a symbol of that ambition.”

Despite both the university’s and Bendapudi’s enthusiasm for the project, reactions across the community have been mixed. Supporters view the statue as an inspiring tribute to the university president’s transformative leadership, nodding to the power of “girlhood.”

“I couldn’t be happier about the Girlboss Mentality Monumental Statue,” freshman Tia Kaschauer said. “The girlbosses around campus, like myself, are finally getting some recognition and motivation to keep working toward a better campus and community, and I’m here for it. Neeli deserves a million sweet treats.”

However, some Penn Staters have voiced concern over the statue’s scale and cost. Critics argue the university’s decision to allocate millions of dollars to the statue, particularly during a period of rising tuition, reflects misplaced priorities.

“We’re being asked to pay more in tuition for what? A statue?” senior Nolan Wick said. “Yeah, no thanks. I’d rather put my money toward something that actually matters, like my Tinder Gold account that I use to swipe right on Tia repeatedly.”

Environmental groups across campus have also raised concerns about the project’s ecological impact, as the statue will require the removal of nearly a third of the existing trees on Old Main Lawn, and the construction site will likely tear apart dozens of Penn State squirrels’ homes.

However, Bendapudi, along with the OPP, ensured the community that Old Main would still have some room for students to soak up the sun.

Still, the administration remains committed to the project, calling it a “once-in-a-century statement of institutional pride.” University officials estimate the statue will attract sufficient tourism revenue and consistently boost the local economy.

After speaking with Onward State, Bendapudi was approached by several individuals wearing Rutgers merchandise. Bendapudi was heard saying, “Interview to be the president at Rutgers? Absolutely.”

Editor’s note: This story is part of Onward State’s April Fools’ Day series. It is satirical, meant for entertainment, and not to be taken literally. Any quotes were made up for the purpose of this post.