The University of Pittsburgh's incoming freshmen form an image of a panther on the lawn outside of the Petersen Events Center in an attempt to get in the Guinness book of world records for the “largest animal image ever formed by humans.” According to guinnessworldrecords.com, the current record for “the largest animal image formed by humans” is 1,311 people who formed the shape of a white stork at a school in Poland in 2010. Pitt's Vice Provost and Dean of Students Kathy Humphrey initiated the annual tradition of incoming classes attempting a world record in 2010. In previous years, incoming Pitt classes have broken the record for:
• “The Largest Torch Lit Logo” (2010), spelling out PITT in block letters
• “The Largest Glow Stick Design” (2011), forming an image of the Cathedral of Learning
• “The Largest Cupid Shuffle Dance” (2012), during a tribute to the late Pitt alumnus and legendary dancer Gene Kelly (A&S ’33).