Good morning, State College.

Penn State Outreach’s Keystone Community Partnerships earned the Community Development Society’s Innovative Program Award in July for linking students with community partners and boosting local economic and youth programs across Pennsylvania.

The honor underscores its role in advancing engaged scholarship.

On Aug. 15, 2026, Penn State awarded its one millionth degree, an achievement that President Bendapudi addressed in an op-ed published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The piece showed how the milestone affects graduates, families, and our community.

Student Disability Resources is rolling out RegisterBlast (RB), a new exam scheduling tool for accommodated students for Fall 2026 at University Park, Berks, Behrend and Altoona and will continue at Harrisburg after a spring pilot; faculty can access RB via Canvas with open houses and demos available until Aug. 28.

A Penn State study shows that 62% of U.S. adults report little or no basic knowledge of statistics and 90% would rely on them if explained better; assistant research professor Mark Ramos said Penn State offers free online STAT 200 course materials (helpful for boosting learning).

The Penn State Alumni Association welcomes Black Penn Staters to its 2026 Black Alumni Reunion from Oct.

2 to 4 at University Park (theme: Welcome Home: It’s a Family Affair). The weekend will feature events like ice cream, a step show, and an awards brunch for up to 400 attendees.

Students start fall with Alumni Association events.

Be A Part From The Start is Sunday, Aug. 23 at Rec Hall; FDOC Donut Giveaway is Monday, Aug. 24 near the Obelisk; and Blue & White Society BASH is Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center.

Penn State Transportation Services announced fall changes that will discontinue Beaver Avenue shuttle service after Aug.

14 and start weekend runs on Aug. 22. New hospital rides, a parking transition at Innovation Park on Aug. 31, and expanded RIDEpass eligibility for grad students are also part of the updates.

Penn State researchers will keep free open-access options in Wiley journals under a renewed BTAA agreement running through Dec.

31, 2027 + eligible authors may publish in hybrid journals free with timely approval + fully open-access submissions must be in by Aug. 31 to avoid charges.

Mount Nittany Health workers held a booth at the Allen Street Gates in the rain to gather support for their contract negotiations and to prompt the release of the hospital's financial details.

They plan to return today and continue outreach at the Grange Fair next week.

Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht, a key Iowa State transfer, is on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list and will take one online class starting Monday.

He remains low-key while his father (former NFL tight end Anthony) joined team meetings over the summer.

Penn State defensive tackle Siale Taupaki was named to the Polynesian College Player of the Year Award watch list on Thursday — the first Penn Stater to earn the recognition in the honor’s 12-year history, and he enters his eighth collegiate season after spending five years at UCLA.

Penn State Athletics announced Penn State Rewards in partnership with UpTop so fans can earn points by attending games, buying merchandise at Beaver Stadium and Pegula Ice Arena, and shopping (Dunkin', Giant, Jersey Mike's).

The program launches Monday and will later feature a prepaid rewards card.

Penn State men's soccer announced its 2026 promotional schedule featuring seven events.

After yesterday’s opener against Mercyhurst, a Pitt match on August 28 includes 100 local youth at halftime, with THON on Sept. 4 and the Mack Brady Match on Sept. 18 before a senior night on Oct. 28.

Three Penn State football players Jeremiah Cooper, Max Granville, and Tony Rojas were named to the Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list after returning from season-ending injuries in 2025.

College Sports Communicators announced the list on Thursday.

Former Penn State wide receiver Liam Clifford signed with the Los Angeles Chargers Wednesday to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster; he spent five seasons at Penn State — impressing on special teams.