Good morning, State College.

NASA will launch a boost mission using Katalyst’s LINK spacecraft to raise the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher altitude and extend its life.

Penn State’s Mission Operations Center will monitor the mission as LINK rides aboard Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus XL rocket in late June.

On May 15, the University Staff Advisory Council honored three Penn State staff members at Old Main’s Alumni Lounge.

The awards recognized leadership, excellence and morale, and the nomination pool grew by 218% from last year.

Penn State named Daniel T.

Barkowitz as its new assistant vice president for Enrollment Management and executive director of Student Aid, effective Sept. 8. He comes with almost 40 years in higher education (including a recent role at the University of Miami) and will work with colleagues to update financial aid strategies.

Sarah Zappe, assistant dean for teaching and learning at Penn State College of Engineering, was named a fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education.

She will be honored at the ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition in Charlotte from June 21-24.

Alpha Fire Company will conduct an acquired structure burn training exercise from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21 at 2190 Shingletown Road near Penn State property in Ferguson Township.

Fire department vehicles + tankers will be on site to support the exercise.

Mount Nittany Medical Center sued the federal government on Friday after CMS canceled its sole community hospital status, which had given higher Medicare reimbursements to the Centre County facility.

The suit claims that combining data with a nearby campus incorrectly may cost the hospital millions & hinder planned service expansions.

Penn State professor Hobart (Bo) Cleveland explained that recovery community centers help people rebuild their lives by offering peer meetings and services like job training and healthcare; his study shows these centers level the playing field after treatment and may guide future state initiatives.

James Mancini, a rural dentist in Crawford County, is planning retirement after 40 years and is having difficulty finding a replacement — a challenge that a University of Pittsburgh initiative aims to meet by opening summer training centers in local counties to expand rural oral care.

At the NCAA Championships from June 10-13 in Eugene, Penn State track and field earned seven All-American honors, with Hayley Kitching taking silver in the women's 800-meter race (the team's highest finish since 2018).

Ryan McKay transferred from Michigan State to Penn State baseball after earning Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2025.

He has one year of eligibility left and will benefit from a clear path to playing time as second baseman Jayden Davis graduates.

Penn State lost a commitment from four-star wide receiver Jamir Dean on Monday morning when he flipped to Georgia after official visits to both campuses.

The recruitment class dropped to 20 players as the team continues to pursue other top prospects.

Former Richmond pitcher Dom Ruggiero announced his transfer to Penn State baseball with four years of eligibility remaining.

The left-handed Atlantic 10 All-Rookie played 22 games last season for the Spiders.

Averi Bridges, a 5’8” libero from Ashland-Greenwood High School (and VCNebraska), announced on Monday via Instagram that she will join Penn State’s 2028 recruiting class as the first member.

Mallory Hasselbeck joined the Penn State women’s lacrosse coaching staff on Monday + the former top national recruit and NCAA champion with Boston College in 2024 now brings her valuable experience from Boston College and Stanford to help boost the team’s development.

GITKIN Live Performance

7-10 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — Tickets available — Experience the enchanting hybrid styles of Gitkin, the alter ego of Grammy-nominated producer Brian J.

TOBYMAC Summer Tour 2026

7-8:30 p.m. — Bryce Jordan Center — Check official site for ticket prices — Experience the explosive energy of TOBYMAC's hit-filled summer tour across 8 cities.

Trenton Thunder vs. State College Spikes

3:30 AM — Medlar Field at Lubrano Park — Tickets from $33 — Catch the excitement as the Trenton Thunder take on the State College Spikes in this can't-miss live baseball experience.

Sips & Sounds Food and Drink Festival

4-9 p.m. — Sidney Friedman Park — Food and drink festival featuring local music and drinks — Celebrate summer with cold beverages and lively performances in State College!

Anna Pearl Belinda Concert

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Titan Hollow — Free entry — Celebrate the weekend of the 4th with local singer-songwriter Anna Pearl Belinda performing live.

The Fretliners Concert

8-11 p.m. — The State Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of live music with The Fretliners in a vibrant venue.

Central Pennsylvania Festival for the Arts

Jul 8-12 — Downtown State College Improvement District — Free entry — Celebrate art, music, and community at one of the nation's top-ranked art fairs.

Anna Pearl Belinda

5-6 p.m. — Willard Building — Free entry — Experience the soaring vocals and storytelling of local singer-songwriter Anna Pearl as she records her debut album.

Anna Pearl Belinda Live Performance

7-9 p.m. — Tussey Mountain Ski and Recreation — Free entry — Experience a captivating solo performance by Anna Pearl, a local singer-songwriter from State College.

Craig Finn & Patterson Hood Live Concert

8-11 p.m. — The State Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of storytelling through music with acclaimed artists Craig Finn and Patterson Hood.