College of Agricultural Sciences faculty members honored for teaching excellence

January 25, 2019

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has recognized six faculty members for outstanding teaching in 2018.

Entomology students' global research to be supported by inaugural Guyton Award

January 24, 2019

Two students in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are the recipients of the Guyton Award, a global learning scholarship established recently by Bill Guyton, an agricultural economist and internationally recognized expert in sustainable development.

Without habitat management, small land parcels do not protect birds

January 22, 2019

Designating relatively small parcels of land as protected areas for wildlife with no habitat management — which has frequently been done in urban-suburban locales around the world — likely does not benefit declining songbird species, according to a team of researchers who studied a long-protected northeastern virgin forest plot.

Schreyer Honors College adds four to distinguished faculty program

January 21, 2019

The Schreyer Honors College has accepted Rachel Brennan, Xiang Gao, Matthew Kaplan and Jon Nese into its Distinguished Honors Faculty Program for the 2019-21 academic term.

Paul and Beverly Perreault endow new international fellows program

January 21, 2019

Paul and Beverly Perreault, of Park City Utah, have made a generous commitment of $1.08 million to establish the Perreault Fellows Program and Scholarship in Global Programs which will provide international internship opportunities to talented undergraduate students interested in becoming global leaders in their fields.

Penn State NASA challenge team advances, to be featured on Japanese TV

January 19, 2019

NHK, Japan’s national public broadcasting organization, will be on the University Park campus Jan. 22 to film the Penn State interdisciplinary team that has advanced to the third phase of NASA’s $3.1-million 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge.

Seven will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards in 2019

January 18, 2019

Seven Penn State alumni selected by the Penn State Board of Trustees will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, which is the University's highest honor presented to its alumni.

Strategic Plan seed grant helping gardens to grow at Beaver, Behrend campuses

January 18, 2019

The idea of the campus garden is evolving at Penn State, with gardens serving as living laboratories for interdisciplinary learning and hubs of activity for community engagement. With the University implementing a funding model to develop initiatives that align with Penn State’s 2016-2020 Strategic Plan, a two-year, $158,000 seed grant was awarded in 2017 to pilot the Sustainable Food Systems Program at the Beaver and Behrend campuses, in support of the plan’s priority to transform education.

Unraveling of 58-year-old corn gene mystery may have plant-breeding implications

January 17, 2019

In discovering a mutant gene that "turns on" another gene responsible for the red pigments sometimes seen in corn, researchers solved an almost six-decades-old mystery with a finding that may have implications for plant breeding in the future.

Report: Pennsylvania population trends mirror employment changes since 2000

January 17, 2019

Changes in the distribution of Pennsylvania's population — largely toward the state's southeastern quadrant — reflect challenges that policymakers need to address to promote and maintain statewide prosperity, suggests a new report compiled by economists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Wake up and smell the coffee: Research shows freezing beans can preserve aroma

January 15, 2019

As a food science major in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, Andrew Cotter conducted research on the storage of coffee beans. He showed that storing roasted coffee beans in the freezer — a popular preservation method — can help preserve the aroma of certain varieties of beans.

Why we give: Two lifelong Penn Staters on why they support the United Way

January 14, 2019

“It matters, when you’re in a community, to be part of that community, and this is a tangible way. If you live in Centre County and you don’t know exactly what you want to do, but you want to be in a better community, you can be part of that. Between the network of partner agencies and the volunteers that drive the United Way, you should give to the United Way because that network works.”

Cellular protein a target for Zika control

January 14, 2019

A cellular protein that interacts with invading viruses appears to help enable the infection process of the Zika virus, according to an international team of researchers who suggest this protein could be a key target in developing new therapies to prevent or treat Zika virus infection.

Forum on Stewarding Our Planet's Resources to be held Jan. 21

January 9, 2019

A forum focused on the University’s Strategic Plan and one of its thematic priorities, Stewarding Our Planet’s Resources, will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, in Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. The purpose of the forum is to provide updates on Stewarding Our Planet’s Resources as well as seek input on the direction and focus of the priority.

Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness obtains $1.5 million grant

January 8, 2019

The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State was recently awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC) to enhance suicide prevention efforts in the U.S. Air Force.

College of Agricultural Sciences to participate in Study Abroad Week events

January 8, 2019

For students who haven't yet reaped the benefits of international learning -- and even for those who have -- Penn State's Office of Global Programs will showcase education-abroad opportunities during Study Abroad Week, slated for Jan. 14-18 at various times and locations on the University Park campus.

1958 forestry class donates over $100K for Open Doors Scholarship

January 3, 2019

Twelve members of the Forestry Class of 1958 recently celebrated their 60th reunion at the Mont Alto campus. Besides reconnecting with each other and the campus, their time together also resulted in a group gift of $34,233 that transformed into a $102,669 Open Doors Scholarship which will support Mont Alto students who are facing financial hardships and are at risk of not completing their degrees.

A 'bran' new way to preserve healthy food with natural ingredients

January 3, 2019

A natural antioxidant found in grain bran could preserve food longer and replace synthetic antioxidants currently used by the food industry, according to researchers at Penn State.

Penn State Extension offers free videos with tools to aid community meetings

January 3, 2019

To help community leaders, municipal officials and others who work in the public and nonprofit sectors, Penn State Extension is offering a video series titled, "Community Conflict: Finding Middle Ground."

Land-use webinar offered by Penn State Extension to focus on zoning ethics

January 3, 2019

Dealing with claims of conflict of interest, bias or bad faith leveled against municipal planners in zoning and land-development proceedings will be the topic of a web-based seminar presented by Penn State Extension.

Dairy of Distinction applications due April 15

January 3, 2019

Pennsylvania dairy producers are invited to apply for the Dairy of Distinction award from the Pennsylvania Dairy of Distinction Program. Applications must be submitted by April 15.

Annual, biological rhythms govern milk production in dairy cows

December 20, 2018

The amount and composition of milk produced by dairy cows appears to be more regulated by internal, annual biological rhythms than by environmental factors such as heat and humidity, according to Penn State researchers who studied more than a decade of production records from herds across the country.

Penn State Berkey Creamery student workers make holidays sweeter for kids

December 19, 2018

Throughout the year, student workers at Penn State's Berkey Creamery make life sweeter for patrons, but during the holiday season, they channel their spirit of service into helping local children.

Unique graduate student cohort will explore gender and agriculture

December 19, 2018

Faculty in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are spearheading an initiative that will provide selected doctoral students with the opportunity for extensive study on gender and its relationship to agricultural production.

Penn State Berkey Creamery intern plays important role in product development

December 19, 2018

Abigail Rule, a senior majoring in food science in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has gotten the inside scoop on product development, thanks to an internship with Penn State's Berkey Creamery.

Penn State Extension offers workshop to prepare candidates to run for office

December 18, 2018

For all those people who have ever thought about serving on their school board, borough council or township board — here's your chance to learn how to do it. Penn State Extension is offering a workshop called, "Toss Your Hat in the Ring."

Libraries Short Stories Fall 2018 contest winners embrace Lost and Found theme

December 18, 2018

Penn State University Libraries Short Stories “Lost and Found” Fall 2018 contest winners and honorable mentions represent a wide range of creative writers University-wide. Nine student honorees range from first-year through senior undergraduates to a Ph.D. student and represent six campuses and six colleges, and five faculty/staff honorees represent three campuses.

Recruiting ants to fight weeds on the farm

December 18, 2018

Harvester ants that eat weed seeds on the soil's surface can help farmers manage weeds on their farms, according to an international team of researchers, who found that tilling less to preserve the ants could save farmers fuel and labor costs, as well as preserve water and improve soil quality.

Spotted lanternfly, home gardening, 4-H among Penn State highlights at Farm Show

December 17, 2018

If you are seeking information about the invasive spotted lanternfly, home gardening, food and health, agricultural majors and careers, or 4-H opportunities, you can find it by visiting Penn State exhibits at the 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Show, Jan. 5-12 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Biodegradable, edible film kills pathogens on seafood

December 17, 2018

A biodegradable, edible film made with plant starch and antimicrobial compounds may control the growth of foodborne pathogens on seafood, according to a group of international researchers.

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
  • Associate Director of Communications
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
  • Science and News Writer
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
  • Associate Director of Communications
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
  • Science and News Writer
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)