Alumni News

Jasmine Fields found Penn State because of its reputation for world-class research. She said she loved science and biology and thought she might become a doctor. Soon after, she became interested in protecting the environment and her passions shifted toward creating a more sustainable world.

David Titley, Penn State alum, retired U.S. Navy rear admiral and retired University professor, will give the commencement address for the spring 2025 baccalaureate degree commencement ceremony for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. The ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, in the Pegula Ice Arena on Penn State's University Park campus.  

The winners of the 17th annual Materials Visualization Competition (MVC), a scientific visual and artistic competition sponsored by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Materials Research Institute at Penn State, have been announced. MVC celebrates the quality of research in materials at Penn State and promotes awareness of materials science through visualization.

As an undergraduate student at Penn State, Olivia DiPrinzio discovered a passion for sustainability and pursued it to help transform the University’s approach to sustainability education. 

Three Penn State graduate students, including Patrick Sarpong, doctoral candidate in energy and mineral engineering, received awards in the 2025 Three Minute Thesis competition.

The 19th annual Penn State Traditional American Indian Powwow, a family friendly event that offers free admission, will be conducted March 29-30 at C3 Sports Complex, located at 200 Ellis Place in State College.

Eight Penn State alumni selected by the Penn State Board of Trustees will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, which is the University's highest honor presented to its alumni.

Warren M. Washington, acclaimed climate science pioneer and Penn State alumnus, died on Oct. 18 at the age of 88. He graduated with his doctorate in meteorology from Penn State in 1964 and was the second African American to earn a doctorate in meteorology nationwide.

Al-Zadjali, an alum who majored in PNGE, was named a 2024 Alumni Fellow by Penn State's Alumni Association.

Taylor Rosen has been selected as the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences' student marshal for the University’s fall 2022 commencement ceremony.