Still Life

Firefighters battled a controlled blaze on the tarmac at Penn State's University Park Airport on May 23 during a full-scale emergency exercise. The exercise was designed to provide real-time training and recertification for emergency response personnel from around the Centre Region.

University Park Airport Emergency Response Exercise

A moment of levity: Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates celebrated with the Nittany Lion after commencement ceremonies, held May 5 at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pa.

Commencement across Penn State: Spring 2012

New graduates of Penn State's Eberly College of Science listened to the commencement address provided by United States Secretary of Energy Steven Chu during spring 2012 graduation ceremonies held May 5 at the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus.

Spring commencement 2012 under way

A Moroccan farmer taught Penn State students about the properties of vetiver grass, including its ability to clean wastewater. The grass could be used as part of a solution to water-quality problems being experienced in Assoul, Morocco, where students spent time recently.

Penn State, Moroccan students problem-solve together

Anjelica Fortunato, left, and Jeffrey Lu reviewed for their Anatomy 129 final exam on May 1 on the HUB-Robeson Center Lawn on Penn State's University Park campus. Penn State students are preparing for and taking final exams throughout the week as spring semester 2012 comes to a close.

Finals Week Spring Semester 2012

Featured Video

Painting the Lines at Beaver Stadium

Painting the Lines at Beaver Stadium

Did They Get It Right? - RedTails

Did They Get It Right? - RedTails

Iconic Penn State elm taken down over spring break 2012

Iconic Penn State elm taken down over spring break 2012

We ... are Penn State (December 19, 2011)

We ... are Penn State (December 19, 2011)

Disease stricken matching elm tree slated for removal

Disease stricken matching elm tree slated for removal

Penn State's creamery, from the cow to the cone

Penn State's creamery, from the cow to the cone

Parent and FamiliesParent and Families Feed

Students use research opportunities to expand involvement in academics

Undergraduate research offers Penn State students exceptional opportunities to work with faculty in their laboratories. Josh Yeh and Christine Theberge, both seniors, are undergraduate researchers. He is majoring in materials science and engineering, and she is double-majoring in Spanish and communication sciences and disorders.
Monday, April 23, 2012

One of the benefits students have at a major national research university like Penn State is not only learning from faculty in the classroom but also working alongside them -- in the laboratory or the library -- doing research. Undergraduate students like Christine Theberge and Josh Yeh, who are conducting their own undergraduate research, and those who hold research assistant positions have the opportunity to expand their knowledge in areas of academic interest while developing valuable research skills and relevant work experience. (more)

University strengthens administrative policy for minors on campus

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Penn State officials have enacted a significant revision to a policy overseeing the supervision and treatment of minors involved in University-sponsored programs or programs housed or held at any Penn State campus. Administrative Policy 39 (AD39) has been updated as part of the University's comprehensive review of all of its policies, particularly those that involve children in the wake of sexual abuse charges against a retired assistant coach. Titled "Minors Involved in University-Sponsored Programs or Programs Held at the University and/or Housed in University Facilities," the policy is part of a series of steps that reinforce Penn State's safety measures for children on campus and for the entire University community. (more)

Penn State announces spring 2012 commencement events and speakers

Graduates process across the stage during morning commencement ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 17, in the Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State's University Park campus. With commencement ceremonies at University Park and most other Penn State campuses this fall, the number of people to have graduated from Penn State will surpass 687,000.
Monday, April 09, 2012

Through the end of the fall 2011 semester, Penn State has conferred a total of 686,793 degrees. As of spring 2012 the University's total number of graduates should approach 699,780. This spring Penn State expects to award approximately 12,987 diplomas to students University-wide who are completing 609 associate, 10,491 baccalaureate, 1,311 master's, 131 medical, 219 law and 226 doctoral degrees. At University Park 16 students are expected to receive associate degrees, while 8,537 will be awarded baccalaureate degrees. Approximately 979 master's degree students are expected to graduate, as are 226 doctoral degree candidates. All figures listed are estimates as of April 9. Following is a compilation of commencement ceremonies and speaker information for Penn State's 24 locations. (more)

The Medical Minute: Don't overdo it, you weekend warrior

Chris Garguilo, a junior and THON 5K particpant, runs along Curtin Road past discared water cups, remnants of a water station set up by THON committee members to refresh the more than 4,000 who turned out to run through campus on Sunday, Oct. 17, in support of the Penn State Dance Marathon.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

There are many benefits to exercise. But many individuals have difficulties finding the time to exercise five days a week given the demands of work and family. The term "weekend warrior" describes an individual who compresses his weekly activity into long durations on the weekend instead of exercising throughout the week.

Exercise improves and maintains muscle mass, endurance and mobility and can improve appearance and self confidence. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that all healthy adults ages 18 to 65 years engage in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes, five days a week. Similar recommendations exist for adults older than 65 years of age with the caveat that aerobic fitness, flexibility and balance be taken into account. (more)

Campus tours led by Penn State students give visitors insider's view

"We walk backwards to move Penn State forward" is the motto of Penn State Lion Scouts and Lion Ambassadors, student volunteers who regularly give pedestrian tours of University  Park.
Thursday, August 11, 2011

Throughout the year but especially in summer, high school students and their families visit Penn State, strolling along streets and sidewalks while learning about Penn State history, notable buildings and other distinctive facts important to students -- all from tour guides their age. "Most prospective students have such a short window of time to really get a feel for the University," said Lion Ambassador President Katie Perugini, a senior public relations major from West Wyoming, Pa. "In no more than two hours we articulate the history, traditions, student life and services to offer prospective students and their families the most accurate glimpse of what their life could be like at Penn State." (more)

Video: Trash to Treasure celebrates 10 years of environmental charity

Lead Volunteer Carolyn Lambert organized fans at Penn State's 10th annual Trash to Treasure site on Tuesday, May 31. Lambert is one of many volunteers from both Penn State and the Centre County United Way who were on site preparing for the annual sale that will happen on Saturday, June 4, at Hills Plaza in State College. The sale location was moved this year from its traditional home of Beaver Stadium due to construction at the stadium. As of Tuesday, more than 65 tons of items had been donated to the yearly sale from students in Penn State's residence halls. Proceeds from the sale go to the United Way.
Friday, July 08, 2011

Despite moving from Beaver Stadium -- its home for nine years--to Hills Plaza in State College, Trash to Treasure enjoyed another extremely successful spring sale on June 4. A video showcases the huge strides the program has taken in its decade of community, kindness and success. Trash to Treasure is a major success on multiple levels. To date, the program has raised over $490,000. All proceeds benefit the Centre County United Way. It also has kept 1.5 million pounds of goods from going to the landfill. Trash to Treasure is a community effort that helps families afford used items thanks to the annual donations of 14,000 Penn State students and 28,000 hours of service from a dedicated team of volunteers. (more)

Welcome Week gets students, families ready to be Penn Staters

Students show off their Penn State spirt at last year's 'Be a Part From the Start' event.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Welcome Week kicks off each semester by greeting thousands of new Penn State students with fun and informative events that introduce them to life on campus and all that comes with it. Beginning Friday, Aug. 19, and continuing through the weekend, a variety of activities will be happening around campus that will get first-year students acclimated to the Penn State experience. (more)

Conduct office sees name change

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Penn State's Office of Judicial Affairs has changed its name to the Office of Student Conduct, effective July 1. "The name change better reflects the office's longstanding mission of partnering accountability with education, and communicates the role we play in leadership and character development," explained Danny Shaha, senior director of the unit. (more)

Photos highlight Penn State commencements across the state

Graduate Valerie Crackel celebrated with her daughter Sophia after receiving her diploma at Penn State Lehigh Valley's commencement on May 7.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Over the past two weekends, commencement ceremonies took place at Penn State's 24 campuses. Photos from these ceremonies give a glimpse of commencement activities across the University system. This spring, Penn State awarded about 12,500 diplomas to students University-wide who completed associate, baccalaureate, master's, medical, law and doctoral degrees.

For photos of commencement services across the commonwealth, go to http://live.psu.edu/flickrset/72157626736695930 online. (more)

The Medical Minute: Fatal crashes fall among teen drivers

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Programs that create some common-sense restrictions when young drivers get behind the wheel have helped cut the rate of deadly crashes by more than half. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looked at fatal crashes among 16- and 17-year-old drivers. (more)