Penn State News

This fall, Penn State is launching a new bachelor of science degree in environmental engineering, which will be housed in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The degree program was designed to help prepare students to plan, design, operate and renew the built systems that protect public health and the environment.

Penn State’s 2026 Homecoming Week — themed “With Lions' Pride, Generations Thrive" — will kick off activities on Sept. 20, ahead of the Nittany Lions' game against the Wisconsin Badgers on Sept. 26. The weeklong event is the culmination of hard work by student volunteers to demonstrate school spirit and celebrate University traditions with students and alumni.

The College Republicans and College Democrats student organizations at Penn State together on Sept. 8 led volunteers in the placement of 2,977 small American flags on the Old Main lawn — one each in remembrance of each victim of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The flags are on display through 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.

A Penn State Harrisburg student was awarded a Penn State Discovery Grant, which helped her spend the summer researching people’s perceptions of safety when riding the Metro, the public transportation system in Washington, D.C.

Constitution Day, held on Sept. 17 each year, will be marked with several events at Penn State campuses across the commonwealth. Established by law in 2004, it is a federal observance that commemorates the U.S. Constitution on the day it was signed in 1787. In addition, Sept. 15 is National Voter Registration Day.