Alumni Newsletter
October 2026
Read the Newest Edition of the Science Journal
Our latest issue of the Science Journal focuses on hands-on experiences that are truly transformative for our students. As an Eberly College of Science student, they have the opportunity to conduct research alongside faculty, complete an internship, study abroad, or engage in a community outreach project. These experiential learning projects takes them out of the classroom and out of their comfort zone, as they grow from student to scientist.
Thank you to all of our alumni and friends who have helped support these experiences through networking opportunities, mentorship, philanthropy, and advocacy.
In Photos: Homecoming Tailgate 📸
Penn State alumni returned to campus for the University's Homecoming Weekend, which included Eberly's Alumni and Friends Tailgate and Penn State's Homecoming parade.
Vivian Valenty, chemistry alumna, and Adam Lieb, integrative science student, were recognized this year as members of the University's Homecoming Court.
How Our Students Spent Their Summers
During the summer, many of our students participated in internships and research opportunities with organizations such as the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and the Philadelphia Union.
We followed along with eight students, so they could share their experiences.
Alumni Impact
John and Mary Furniss Named 2026 Fundraising Volunteers of the Year
For decades, John and Mary Furniss have been annual donors to Penn State. In 2019, they created the John V. Furniss and Mary Kohli Furniss Open Doors Scholarship in the Eberly College of Science, and since then, they deepened their involvement through student mentorship and volunteerism aimed at building support from other alumni and friends of the college.
We are proud to see them recognized for their incredible support!
Read about the Fundraising Volunteer of the Year Award on the Eberly College website.
Eberly Alumna Embarks on a Journey to Make More Sustainable and Safe Hair Accessories
Maya Anderson spent part of her Penn State experience creating her own hair accessory brand—Vayla—using the skills learned from her biotechnology major and help from Invent Penn State.
She began with the goal to create a new version of the popular claw clip that would be safer to wear while driving, as the traditional claw clip has impacted many who have been involved in minor car accidents.
Upcoming Events
Science Matters: Spotlight Sessions
Celebrating 100 Years Since Penn State’s First Doctoral Degree in PhysicsOne hundred years ago, Penn State awarded its first doctoral degree to Marsh White. White received a degree in physics, and after he graduated in 1926, he joined Penn State's faculty as a professor of physics until his retirement in 1960. The Eberly College of Science is celebrating White, his impact on physics, and the University's first doctoral degree with a Science Matters Spotlight Session on October 2 at 3:00 p.m. RSVP for in-person and online attendance on the Eberly College website. |
Arrival Movie Screening and Expert Q&AScience fiction fans—Eberly is hosting a free screening of Arrival, as part of the Science Matters Spotlight Sessions and the Friedman Lectures in Astronomy and Astrophysics, at the State Theatre in State College. Following the film, which stars Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker, the Penn State Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Center will sponsor a Q&A session with SETI research experts. Mark your calendars for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4. |
Attention Local Alumni and Families of All Ages
The month of October brings two exciting in-person science events from our Office of Science Outreach!
The first is a partnership between Eberly and the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg for Space Day. The Office of Science Outreach will be providing experiments such as liquid nitrogen demos and a chemical clock reaction.
The second is Haunted-U, our annual event which engages hundreds of visitors with dozens of spooky science experiments run by student, staff, and faculty volunteers from across campus.
Reminder: Opportunities for Engagement
Deadlines are approaching!
Do You Want to Make an Impact on a Student's Future?
Mentors give students a space to get one-on-one help with navigating their career journey.
The college is looking for alumni to join our Mentoring Program. As a mentor, you will be a resource for your paired student, whether you're offering advice or answering career questions.
Applications close on October 10, and matches will be assigned in mid-October.
Nominate a Fellow Alum for the Outstanding Science Alumni Award
Recognize one of your fellow Eberly alums by nominating them for the Outstanding Science Alumni Award.
This award recognizes and rewards Eberly alumni for their success as leaders in science and for the impact they have had on society and their professions.
Nominations are open now until October 19, and selections will be made in November.
Watch Our Latest Video Series, Featuring Dean Tracy Langkilde
Trivia with Tracy, the college's latest video project is now live!
This series features Dean Tracy Langkilde and two members of the Eberly College of Science community as they team up to answer scientific trivia questions. The debut episode focuses on the importance of postdoctoral researchers and features Vishal Yadav and Hannah Wood, postdocs in the chemistry and physics departments.
University Highlight
Penn State Has Received $4.6 Million to Support Its Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium
Many Eberly researchers are part of the Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium (2DCC), which is one of the few accessible 2D material facilities in the world. The consortium supplies consistent, high-quality materials that allow users to pursue experiments that would otherwise be difficult to conduct and provides education and training.
This funding from the US National Science Foundation is crucial in helping researchers develop faster, more energy-efficient electronics, photonics, quantum technologies, and computing systems.
Read about this funding opportunity on the Eberly College website.
College Highlight
Summer Training School Focuses on Quantum Research
Eighty college students from across the country visited Penn State to attend a week-long summer school experience hosted by the Penn State Center for Theory of Emergent Quantum Matter.
They engaged with quantum science experts, including our own faculty such as Bryce Gadway, professor of physics, and guest lecturers from Carnegie Mellon University and Princeton University.
Read about the summer school experience on the Eberly College website.
Show Your Support
Your support helps to propel groundbreaking research and exceptional educational experiences that transform society. Learn more about ways to engage and partner with Eberly.
As the heart of Penn State's research engine, we are helping to answer some of society's biggest questions. Simply put, Science Matters. Learn more about the implications of federal funding cuts to our future at Penn State's "Research or Regress" web page.
You help put the “We” in “We Are Penn State!”
Join our community of alumni and friends today.
For more than 150 years, we have been keeping alumni connected
to the University and to each other.
If your contact information has changed,
please update our directory to help us keep in touch!
