Good morning, State College.

The Penn State Alumni Association will hold two Roar Tour fan events before the Pinstripe Bowl, including a free welcome party at T-Squared Social on Dec.

26 with games and a pregame tailgate on Dec. 27 with breakfast, live music + perks and limited bus trip seats from State College.

The final plan for a new student housing complex for non-first-year students was reviewed on Dec.

3 at Penn State’s University Park campus and will be built by Greystar in a public — private partnership. Construction will begin in spring with 1,505 beds and 753 parking spaces.

Earlier this month, Penn State co-hosted a three-day international empathy summit where experts, youth representatives, and policy makers discussed how to turn research into classroom programs and community policies, setting the stage for a global observatory initiative (a next step) in empathy education.

Penn State’s EMS Energy Institute held a two-day convening last week at University Park that brought together about 100 scholars, industry leaders + government experts to discuss federal funding and new partnerships for critical minerals development.

Scientists at Penn State have developed a free virtual reality experience (VRmirova) that lets students simulate bird fieldwork by capturing, banding, and analyzing blue-winged warblers, providing a hands-on way to explore field science from campus.

The program was created under a NSF CAREER Award.

Penn State fraternity and sorority leaders attended the EMERGE retreat at Krislund Camp and Conference Center over the weekend of Nov.

14—engaging in activities and group discussions that built teamwork and leadership skills. They left with a renewed sense of community and clear strategies for future campus roles.

Researchers at Penn State found that two proteins in a cell cleanup machine work in opposing ways in human colorectal cancer cells, where one slows and the other speeds up mRNA breakdown.

Their study, available online, may point to better treatments for diseases like cancer.

Nearly 50 members of the PA General Assembly, policy staff, and health care leaders met at the Veterans’ Solutions Forum on Dec.

10 at the state Capitol. The forum, hosted at Penn State, discussed fast-track programs for military medics to enter civilian health care roles & ease workforce shortages.

Co-developer Tom Songer said the Bellefonte Waterfront project will bid in January and start spring construction on the former Bush Hotel site across from Talleyrand Park.

The project includes a boutique hotel, parking garage, and condos, and condo marketing will begin when garage work starts.

Penn State football has hired Iowa State wide receivers coach Noah Pauley to rebuild the receiver room in Happy Valley today — he coached NFL-bound players at Iowa State and North Dakota State and earned National Wide Receiver Coach of the Year honors in 2024.

Following a dual where Penn State defeated Wyoming, Cole Mirasola fell to No. 13 while Christian Carroll held at No. 10 in updated InterMat rankings.

The team will compete at the National Duals Saturday (they face North Dakota State and Stanford).

Nittany Lions vs. Eagles Basketball Game

1-2:30 p.m. — Bryce Jordan Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience a new era of Penn State basketball with a fresh, talented roster.

First Night State College

3 PM – 12 AM — Downtown State College Improvement District — Button required for some activities — Celebrate the New Year with family-friendly fun including ice sculptures and performances.

Penn State Wrestling vs. Rutgers

4:00 – 5:30 PM — Rec Hall — Ticket prices may vary — Catch the excitement as Penn State takes on Rutgers in a thrilling wrestling match.

UCLA Bruins vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Men's Basketball

8:30-10:30 p.m. — Bryce Jordan Center — Ticket prices vary — Catch the exciting clash of two powerhouse college basketball teams.