Good morning, State College.

Student Farm Club will host its 11th annual Harvest Fest on Thursday, Sept.

17 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm, offering food samples, a petting zoo, and cooking demos by chef Lorinda John at 20 activity stations (free entry with sustainable transit options).

A 19-year-old local entrepreneur opens Crown Lotus Games today at 206 E.

Calder Way in downtown State College. The new store will sell trading cards and retro games and offer free play space (open noon-10 p.m. weekdays, noon-midnight weekends) for community gaming and casual tournaments.

Award-winning journalist and podcaster Katie Thornton will answer public questions on journalism and podcast growth at 6:30 p.m. Sept.

28 in 121 Sparks Building (University Park) with Penn State faculty member Katie O’Toole moderating the session.

Researchers at Penn State developed a framework that combines AI with human expertise to find piezoelectric ceramics that could power small sensors; the team improved a potassium sodium niobate composite using crystallographic texturing and validated it in an energy harvester device.

Penn State researchers have developed a MEMS micromirror that swiftly steers and refocuses laser light, potentially enabling smaller optical systems for brain imaging, augmented reality and precision manufacturing.

The device could boost neurobiology research and manufacturing efficiency, as tests measured mirror adjustments in millionths of a second (record speed).

The Daily Collegian is accepting applications for fall candidacy for the fall 2026 semester, inviting current Penn State students to apply for news, lifestyle, sports, photo, visuals, and audience engagement roles.

Applicants must submit materials by Sept. 18 at 11:59 p.m.

Penn State’s University College has named Lindsey Simon-Jones as associate dean for curricular affairs and student services and Jennifer Nesbitt as associate dean for faculty affairs.

Simon-Jones begins today while Nesbitt will start on Sept. 15 to lead academic programs across the Commonwealth Campuses.

On Monday, Penn State women's hockey earned three AHA preseason awards through coaches' votes, with junior forward Grace Outwater named Preseason Player of the Year + defenseman Danica Maynard on the Preseason All-Conference team.

Penn State men's basketball will face Memphis on Nov.

25 in the 2026 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, as announced Monday. The Tigers hold a 3-2 record advantage and the Nittany Lions, coming off a 12-20 season, will feature an almost new roster.

Penn State wrestlers competed at the 2026 Poland Open in Warsaw and won four gold medals, with standout performances by Luke Lilledahl, Marcus Blaze, Zain Retherford, and Levi Haines (who is now preparing for the Senior World Championships in October).

Penn State’s Nittany Lions will need wins against teams like USC + Michigan to boost head-to-head rankings and secure a playoff bid under coach Matt Campbell.

They must finish the season with a 10-2 record or better to overcome a tough Big Ten schedule.