Good morning, State College.

State College’s July 4 parade marks 99th year on Saturday as Freedom Rising USA takes over planning from 4th Fest and American Legion (which backed the event for years).

Parade entries will meet at 10 a.m. on Burrowes Street before proceeding east on College Avenue with local bands and groups.

The East End Social Mocktail Challenge is open and free for the public at the 100 Block of Heister St and offers mocktails for purchase.

Patty Bode, founder of Remember Love Recovery Project, has been named the 2026 Linda Stein Upstander Award winner by University Libraries and will present her research on arts-based substance use prevention on March 25 at Penn State’s University Park campus — her $5,000 grant includes access to special collections.

Juaren Steiger, a postdoctoral scholar in electrical engineering at Penn State, received the Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar in STEM Award on June 12 at Old Main.

He was honored for his innovative work in online decision-making for networked systems + academic service.

Sarah Brothers, an assistant professor at Penn State, received the American Sociological Association’s inaugural Early Career Award for Community-Engaged Scholarship for her work on drug policy during COVID-19.

The award recognizes lasting treatment changes and local collaborations (including community advisory boards) at the university.

Maya Johnson, a Penn State IST student, spent Maymester in Washington, D.C. with a social justice fellowship that combined law, education and public policy studies with hands-on teaching at local high schools.

She said the experience reinforced her goal to merge cybersecurity with social justice to support under-resourced students.

Professor Guoray Cai has been named the Dewey Walker Professor in Information Sciences and Technology today at Penn State College of IST (recognizing his work in improving geospatial data use and digital solutions for everyday challenges).

The appointment lasts for three years and will support his teaching, research and public service.

Dan Murphy has been named senior director of administration and chief of staff for Penn State Student Affairs, effective today.

He brings over 20 years of experience in student affairs leadership to guide new initiatives and strengthen collaboration across the division.

Peter and Sharon Cocoziello donated a seven-figure gift to endow the Advance Realty Investors Directorship at the Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation (at Penn State) to empower director Scarlett Miller to expand research and forge new industry partnerships.

Based on the latest Penn State Athletics rosters, 62 players from 14 nations that qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup represent university sports teams.

Canada leads the count + with 26 players, while Australia, Japan, and others round out the global mix.

Today, Penn State ended its 33-year partnership with Nike—an alliance that began in the late 1970s and spurred innovation in sports gear and research.

The move was shared on athletic social media and marks a turning point for the university’s future equipment deals.

Penn State men's basketball is scheduled to face St. Bonaventure in a preseason exhibition game on Oct.

17 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, as part of a doubleheader that will also feature Daemen and St. John Fisher. Details on tipoff, tickets and broadcast will follow.

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.