Bettina Brandt, teaching professor of German and Jewish studies, and Daniel L. Purdy, professor of German studies, are co-editors of the book, “Colonialism and Enlightenment: The Legacy of German Race Theories,” published by Oxford University Press.
As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 18 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.
Clarence Lang, Susan Welch Dean of the College of the Liberal Arts and professor of African American studies, and spouse Jennifer Hamer, professor of African American studies and women’s, gender and sexuality studies, made a recent $125,000 commitment that will create two new funds designed to pair long-term impact with flexibility for immediate needs: the College of the Liberal Arts Research Fund and the Hamer-Lang Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Support Fund.
and Hamer,
The Penn State School of Public Policy hosted its second annual statewide Policy Simulation Competition on Feb. 28, bringing together college students from across Pennsylvania to participate in a simulated global health emergency.
Penn State student organizations and units at campuses across the commonwealth are offering events during National Women’s History Month, held during the month of March each year.
Ten Penn Staters will be honored with the 2026 Alumni Achievement Awards. Recipients will return to the University Park campus to share their expertise with students and be honored at an award ceremony on March 20.
College of Arts and Architecture alumna Glynnis Reed-Conway, who earned her doctorate in art education and in women’s, gender and sexuality studies in 2025 and is currently an assistant professor at Kutztown University, has received the Harlan E. and Suzanne Dudley Hoffa Dissertation Award in Art Education for the 2025–26 academic year.
Sherita L. Johnson, director of the College of the Liberal Arts’ Africana Research Center and associate professor of English, is the co-author of the new book, “Mixing: Race, Higher Education, and the Case of Clyde Kennard,” published by the University Press of Mississippi.
Fourth-year computer science student Bhavya Aplash is blending technology and culture by pairing his major with a minor in South Asian studies, applying both to develop an accessible, culturally grounded tool for learning the Hindi script.
Fourth-year psychology major Alivia Peterson combines her interests in mental health and athletics through research, leadership and service, preparing for a future as a counseling psychologist supporting athletes and families.
First-generation, adult learner Thomas O’Malley returned to school through Penn State World Campus after decades in retail management and is now pursuing dual degrees in labor and human resources and organizational leadership, using his experience to reimagine leadership rooted in purpose and empathy.
“Fragmentation” is the latest theme for the College of the Liberal Arts’ ongoing “Moments of Change” initiative, which brings together students, faculty, staff and alumni to explore society-shaping ideas, events and movements.
Penn State invites students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and families around the world to join in recognizing Read Across America 2026, through “Roar Where You Are,” an alumni collaboration led by Penn State World Campus, the College of Education and the University Libraries, with the Alumni Association chapters and societies playing an important role in bringing this effort to life.
Two Penn State professors will speak about the use and effectiveness of humor for political dissent in a talk titled, “This isn’t funny: How humor helps advance freedom in times of crisis,” taking place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, in the Greg Sutliff Auditorium of the Lewis Katz Building. This event is free and open to the public, and also will be livestreamed via Zoom.
Meet Christopher Lawrence and Brian Redmond, faculty who are elevating the online classroom through innovative teaching, real‑world expertise and student‑centered approaches.
As directors of THON 2026, Lauren Mellas, Erin Gnall and Areea Rahman help run Penn State’s student-run, 46-hour dance marathon that raises money and awareness for families affected by childhood cancer.
