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

agricultural sciencesagricultural sciences Feed

Economic power of self-employment felt in rural counties

People in rural counties who work for themselves may add a boost to local economies, improving income and job growth, according to economists.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

People in rural counties who work for themselves may add a boost to local economies, improving income and job growth, according to economists. The share of self-employed workers in nonmetro counties significantly predicted personal income and job growth, as well as declines in family poverty levels, said Stephan Goetz, professor of agricultural economics and regional economics, Penn State, and director of the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development.
(more)

Shale-gas development creates demand for environmental graduates

The College of Agricultural Sciences' Environment and Natural Resources Institute recently held a Marcellus Shale Info-Fest for students.
Friday, May 18, 2012

The Marcellus Shale natural gas play is having a significant impact on Pennsylvania's economy, and Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences is helping to position students to benefit from associated employment opportunities.
(more)

Student Stories: Biological Engineering grad a volleyball standout

Joe Sunder spikes the ball.
Friday, May 18, 2012

Even though he often missed a few hours of volleyball practice a week due to academic class requirements -- an unusual exception not granted to most players -- Penn State outside hitter Joe Sunder was on top of his game both on and off the court.
(more)

Vilsack: Ag research and education key to prosperity, security

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack learns about Penn State biofuels research in a College of Agricultural Sciences greenhouse.
Thursday, May 17, 2012

Investment in agricultural research doesn't benefit just the 2 percent of the population involved in farming. It's a matter of national security, job creation, energy independence and human health. That's according to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who visited Penn State this week (May 16) to tour College of Agricultural Sciences research facilities and commemorate this year's 150th anniversaries of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Morrill Act of 1862, which created the land-grant university system. (more)

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture visits University Park

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Research Education Cathie Woteki, left,  and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak, third from left, toured a laboratory in Penn State's Life Sciences Building on May 16, hosted by Assistant Professor of Biology Charles Anderson and Professor of Plant Biology Mark Guiltinan.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Penn State's University Park campus on May 16, accompanied by Cathie Woteki, the U.S. Department of Agriculture under secretary of research education. The visit included tours of research laboratories, a meeting with Penn State faculty and representatives from 4-H and FFA. The one-day visit commemorates the 150th anniversary of both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Land Grant University System. (more)

Forest researcher selected for professional association board

Laura Leites
Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Laura Leites, a research associate and instructor in forest biometrics in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, recently was named to the board of directors of the Resource Modeling Association.
(more)

Researcher's contributions to soybean producers recognized

Scott Isard, professor of aerobiology
Tuesday, May 15, 2012

A researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has been honored for his contributions in developing an online tool to forecast the emergence of threats to soybean crops. (more)

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to visit Penn State on May 16

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Monday, May 14, 2012

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will visit Penn State on Wednesday, May 16, to deliver an address commemorating the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and highlighting the groundbreaking research and innovation that takes place at land-grant universities, such as Penn State. Vilsack's address will take place at 11 a.m. in Berg Auditorium (Room 100) in the Life Sciences Building on the University Park campus. The event is free and open to the public. (more)

Penn State researcher receives Grand Challenges Explorations grant

Ants that act as bodyguards to tend disease-spreading crop pests (as depicted here) can prevent effective control, leading to significant yield losses. Supported by a Gates Foundation grant, a team led by Penn State researcher David Hughes will develop a novel approach for reducing such ant populations.
Monday, May 14, 2012

A Penn State researcher has been chosen to receive a grant through the Grand Challenges Explorations program, an initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. David Hughes, assistant professor of entomology and biology, will pursue an innovative global health and development research project, titled "Taking Out the Bodyguards: A Novel Solution to Ag Disease." Hughes' project aims to reduce the incidence of plant diseases -- and consequently crop losses -- by reducing the population of ants that act as protectors for various crop pests. Grand Challenges Explorations (GCE) funds individuals worldwide to explore ideas that can break the mold in how we solve persistent global health and development challenges. (more)

Free educational programs offered at Master Gardeners' Garden Fair

A variety of gardening presentations will be offered at the Master Gardeners' Garden Fair and Plant Sale, May 19 at the Ag Progress Days site.
Friday, May 11, 2012

Free public gardening workshops will be a featured attraction when the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Centre County hold their annual Garden Fair and Plant Sale, May 19. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Ag Progress Days grounds at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on state Route 45. (more)