Penn State recognizes Outstanding Adult Student Award winners

April 24, 2023

Penn State’s Adult Learner Programs and Services announced the winners of the Outstanding Adult Student Award. The award — which includes a Penn State diploma case and a $500 grant — recognizes an exceptional adult learner or student veteran at University Park who has overcome obstacles while furthering his or her education. Nominees balance multiple responsibilities, serve as role models for other students, and achieve academically.

Students expand perspectives, build confidence at Graduate Exhibition

April 24, 2023

More than 175 Penn State graduate students presented their research, art, design or scholarship at the poster and visual arts session of the 2023 Graduate Exhibition. The event allows students to build their communication skills and think about their projects from new perspectives. 

Raise a glass to home winemaking: Penn State Extension offers workshop

April 21, 2023

An upcoming Penn State Extension workshop is aimed at helping home winemakers take their hobby to the next level. The “Advanced Home Winemaking Workshop” will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 20, in 252 Rodney Erickson Food Science Building on Penn State’s University Park campus.

Penn State Master Gardeners help home gardeners blossom

April 21, 2023

The Penn State Extension Master Gardener program trains adult volunteers in research-based and sustainable horticultural practices. After completing the training, Master Gardeners help Extension better serve the public by answering questions; speaking to groups; writing columns and articles for newsletters, websites and news media outlets; maintaining demonstration gardens; assisting in Penn State pollinator research; and participating in many other projects.

Ag Sciences student among first Peace Corps volunteers to return to service

April 21, 2023

Penn State student Julia Burton, in the College of Agricultural Sciences, is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return to overseas service since the agency’s unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020. The Peace Corps suspended global operations and evacuated nearly 7,000 volunteers from more than 60 countries at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spotted lanternfly training, vehicle checks required for many faculty, staff

April 21, 2023

With spotted lanternfly season nearing in Pennsylvania, officials at Penn State are reminding employees to take the spotted lanternfly training required by the University and inspect their vehicles when traveling within and outside of the quarantine zone.  

Low use of nutrition labels contributes to health disparities in China

April 20, 2023

Nutrition labels can help guide consumers toward making healthier food choices, but new research suggests that a lack of knowledge about how to use them may be contributing to nutrition gaps between people in urban and rural China.

Hales to leave as director of Penn State Extension for new role in California

April 20, 2023

Brent Hales, director of Penn State Extension and associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences, will leave Penn State in June to join the University of California as its new associate vice president of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

2023 Director's Award Winners

April 19, 2023

Congratulations to the 2023 Director's Award Winners!

Organic beekeeping rivals conventional methods for bee health, productivity

April 19, 2023

Honey bee colonies managed using organic methods were as healthy and productive as those managed in conventional systems, while avoiding the use of synthetic pesticides to control pests and pathogens inside the hive, according to newly published research led by Penn State entomologists.

Distinguished professor edits book on sustainable dairy cattle nutrition

April 19, 2023

Alexander Hristov, Penn State distinguished professor of dairy nutrition, edited a recently published book, “Advances in Sustainable Dairy Cattle Nutrition,” which focuses on how the dairy sector could reduce the carbon footprint of milk and its contribution to climate change.

Opening farms to visitors boosts nearby farms’ direct sales, and vice versa

April 18, 2023

Farmers use many marketing strategies to diversify their incomes and stay in business. New research suggests that two of these strategies — agritourism and direct farm sales — complement one another when they occur within the same community. The findings could help farmers and the local organizations that support them plan strategically for farm resilience and growth.

Extension experts release guidelines to increase safety of manure-storage

April 17, 2023

Farming is one of the most dangerous work environments in the U.S. Among the factors that contribute to farming’s risk profile is the potential presence of toxic gases associated with manure storage facilities. As manure storage emptying season approaches, Penn State researchers seek to reinforce the message that increased awareness of manure gas dangers saves lives.

College of Agricultural Sciences announces alumni award recipients

April 13, 2023

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has honored two graduates with 2023 Outstanding Alumni Awards.  

Master Watershed Steward Jim Walter inspires environmental action

April 13, 2023

From facilitating the planting of thousands of trees to developing an innovative procedure to help pinpoint and address streambank erosion issues, Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteer Jim Walter has inspired environmental action in Bucks County and beyond.

T-cell vaccine for COVID-19 may last longer than current vaccines

April 13, 2023

The current COVID-19 vaccines are designed to trigger an antibody response to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which is vulnerable to mutations that could make the vaccine less effective over time. Focusing on the T-cell instead, Penn State researchers partnered with Evaxion Biotech on a study that was the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence-generated vaccine in a live viral challenge model. Such a vaccine may provide long-lasting immunity against future emerging variants and could be used as a model for other seasonal viral diseases like the flu.

Grozinger receives 2023 President’s Award for Excellence Academic Integration

April 11, 2023

Christina Grozinger, Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology, has been awarded the 2023 President’s Award for Excellence in Academic Integration. The award is given to a full-time faculty member who has exhibited extraordinary achievement in the integration of teaching, research or creative accomplishment and service.

Staniar receives 2023 President’s Award for Engagement with Students

April 11, 2023

Burt Staniar, associate professor of animal science in the College of Agricultural Sciences; has received the 2023 President’s Award for Engagement with Students. The award is given to a faculty member who goes beyond his or her responsibilities to engage and encourage students in learning. The honorees have made themselves available to interact with students outside class, link students to opportunities and help them build their confidence as learners and potential contributors to society.

Master Gardeners to offer plant sales around Pennsylvania

April 11, 2023

In April, May and June, Penn State Extension Master Gardeners will offer plant sales and expert gardening advice in locations around the state. These sales support educational programs and feature plants chosen for local growing conditions.

Stronger paper bags, reused repeatedly then recycled for biofuel could be future

April 11, 2023

As the world searches for ways to reduce the use of plastics such as single-use plastic bags, a novel study by Penn State researchers demonstrates a process to make paper bags stronger — especially when they get wet — to make them a more viable alternative.

Spring ‘Night at the Museums’ event slated for evening of April 20

April 10, 2023

The Penn State Museum Consortium will hold the spring 2023 "Night at the Museums" event on April 20. Participating museums on the University Park campus will be open from 5 to 8 p.m.

Dairy processors can build crisis readiness skills at upcoming events

April 7, 2023

The Penn State Extension dairy food processing team will offer three events aimed at educating dairy processors about food safety and helping them build crisis readiness skills. A two-day event, titled, “Dairy Industry Crisis Readiness Drill Training,” will take place May 11-12 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College.  

Two ecology doctoral students receive Alumni Association Dissertation Awards

April 7, 2023

Two doctoral students in the Huck Institutes' Ecology program were recognized at a reception held earlier this month as winners of the prestigious Alumni Association Dissertation Award.

Penn State Global announces 2022-23 faculty, staff, student awards

April 7, 2023

Penn State Global has announced the 2022-23 recipients of its annual awards that recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals and academic programs at Penn State who have helped to advance the University’s global engagement goals.

Students, faculty in College of Ag Sciences lauded for exceptional work

April 7, 2023

The Penn State chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the agricultural honor society, recognized Penn State faculty and students during its annual meeting, which was held April 5.

Thirteen graduate students honored with Alumni Association Dissertation Award

April 6, 2023

Thirteen graduate students received the Alumni Association Dissertation Award, one of the most prestigious awards given to Ph.D. candidates at the University. The award was made possible through a gift from the Penn State Alumni Association and provides funding and recognition to outstanding full-time research doctorate students who have passed their comprehensive examinations and have received approval of their dissertation topic.

Forty graduate students recognized with prestigious University awards

April 6, 2023

Forty Penn State graduate students were named recipients of Penn State’s most prestigious annual graduate student awards, administered by the Graduate School in collaboration with several Penn State units. The awards recognize and celebrate graduate students who are excelling in teaching, research, and service and other academic pursuits.

Peters named Penn State Animal Science Distinguished Alumna

April 6, 2023

Jana Peters, retired animal science advising coordinator, has been selected as the 2023 Animal Science Distinguished Alumna by Penn State’s Department of Animal Science.

Broccoli consumption protects gut lining, reduces disease, in mice

April 6, 2023

Broccoli is known to be beneficial to our health. For example, research has shown that increased consumption of the cruciferous vegetable decreases incidences of cancer and type 2 diabetes. In a recent study, researchers at Penn State found that broccoli contains certain molecules that bind to a receptor within mice and help to protect the lining of the small intestine, thereby inhibiting the development of disease. The findings lend support to the idea that broccoli truly is a "superfood."

Digging into the past: Forgotten soil samples are opportunity for new research

April 5, 2023

Penn State researchers recently opened sealed jars of soil samples collected on campus in 1915 and 1933. Because the samples were taken before many of the changes in agricultural and industrial practices throughout the past century, they offer scientists the chance to study how these changes have affected the microorganisms that live within the soil.

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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)