The Investment 2022
Penn State student entrepreneurs will pitch to a panel of judges and compete for part of a $30,000 prize pool to try to earn funds for their startup companies.
Black History Keepers
Bellefonte, Pa. houses rich stories and landmarks of Black history, including St. Paul AME Church, founded in the 1800s, and believed to be part of the Underground Railroad. Its history has been preserved by local historians, as have many other aspects of Black history in central Pennsylvania.
Penn State’s New President
Penn State President Eric Barron talks to Penn State President elect Dr. Neeli Bendapudi about taking on the office of President, her vision for the university, and what come next for Penn State.
The Arts are Alive
Creativity thrives in the Commonwealth—from community art projects to makerspaces, galleries and festivals, the arts play a pivotal role in bringing people together throughout our region.
Go Behind the Scenes of “The French Chef”
Cooking legend Julia Child introduced French cuisine to American audiences in 1963 with WGBH’s groundbreaking television series, The French Chef. Now the subject of the HBO Max series, Julia, WGBH explores what’s fact and what’s fiction and how The French Chef continues to influence how we eat today with this Q&A virtual panel discussion recorded May 10, 2022.
Moderated by GBH Chief Marketing Officer Tina Cassidy, the panel features Julia’s original producer Russ Morash, Julia’s grand-nephew and author Alex Prud’homme, Bon Appétit and Epicurious Editor-in-Chief Dawn Davis.
For more content related to Julia’s life and legacy visit https://www.wgbh.org/julia-child-at-gbh
Stream select episodes of The French Chef on WPSU Passport.
Drive-Ins
Pennsylvania is host to America’s second drive-in theatre, Shankweiler’s Drive-in which opened in 1934. In the late 1950s, at the height of the drive-in’s popularity, Pennsylvania had more than 180 in operation. This number has dropped significantly; 85% have closed. However, today Pennsylvania has nearly 30 drive-in theaters in operation, and this is second in the nation, only behind New York. The recent need for social distancing has provided drive-ins with several new income streams, and has boosted what some feel is a dying business.
The Forest
In the early days of the Commonwealth, nearly 29 million acres of Pennsylvania were covered in forest. By 1895, this number dropped to 9 million acres. While Pennsylvania provided lumber to build a nation, this invaluable natural resource was almost lost.
Thanks to the forest conservation movement that began in the late 1800s, 58% of Pennsylvania is now forest. This is not only a renewable, natural resource, but the forest is also home to countless outdoor activities.
The Pollinator and Bird Garden at the Arboretum
Penn State President Eric Barron and his guests talk about the Pollinator and Bird Garden at the Arboretum at Penn State. The garden allows guests to experience natural beauty and science in one immersive environment.
Get Your Garden On! Spring 2022
Gardening season has arrived. Whether you’re growing cool season crops or getting ready to plant tomatoes — now is the perfect time to get tips to help your garden grow. Penn State Extension educators share their expertise on everything from taking care of your lawn to planting for pollinators.
Guests
Tom Butzler, Horticulture Educator, Penn State Extension
Tom Butzler works with commercial horticulture operations and the landscaping community in Clinton County. His area of expertise is vegetable production and beekeeping.
Elsa Sanchez, Ph.D.
Elsa Sanchez focuses on the production of vegetable crops with a particular focus on environmental sustainability. Her goal is to develop and disseminate science-based information to assist commercial vegetable growers in making informed production decisions. She works in organic and conventional vegetable systems.
Sara Hricko, Penn State Extension Educator
Sara works with tree fruit and other areas of horticulture.
Nursing at Penn State
Penn State President Eric Barron and his guests talk about nursing education at Penn State. They discuss the generous gift pledged to the college of nursing by Ross and Carol Nese, as well as the new Doctorate of Nursing Practice World Campus degree.
Pennsylvania Redistricting
Pennsylvania’s primary elections are coming up and redistricting means voters will see changes in the state and Congressional legislative maps. We’ll talk with a panel of experts about how the new districts were drawn, what they mean for communities in Pennsylvania, and who decides what’s fair.
Guests
Resources
Healthy Aging
With one in every seven Americans now over the age of 65, it’s no wonder adult development and aging is a rapidly expanding field of study. What’s normal aging? What’s not? And what control do we have over our own aging process?
Guests
Prof. Marty Sliwinski
Director, Center for Healthy Aging
Prof. Amy Lorek
Assistant Research Professor
Mary Raffetto, RD, CSG, LDN
Registered Dietitian at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Resources
Innovation Hub and Start Up Week
Penn State President Eric Barron and his guests talk about the new Innovation Hub in downtown State College, Penn State Start Up Week, and how Penn State is fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.
Humanity Behind Bars: Incarceration in America
The American carceral system is one of the largest in the world. In Episode 5, we examine the history of that system and ask what happens to the human being behind bars. We hear from humanities scholars, legal experts and prisoners, focusing on just solutions that might reduce prison populations and restore the humanity of prisoners while preparing them for life after prison.
Telemedicine
Penn State President Eric Barron and his guests talk about telemedicine. How prevalent has it become, what services can be offered, and how will it continue to grow?
Science U at Home Special
In this public television special, campers, mentors and instructors at the Penn State Science-U summer science camp show off the ways parents and caregivers can bring the wonder of science home to kids.
The Great Resignation
Penn State President Eric Barron and his guest talk about The Great Resignation. What is it, what caused it, and is it the new normal?
Gambling in Pennsylvania
Gambling is a growing business in Pennsylvania. Along with traditional casinos and online gaming are mini-casinos. Including one proposed for State College. While the industry is generating record-breaking revenues, there are questions about mental health and safety.
Host:
Anne Dannahy
WPSU Reporter
Guests:
Eric Pearson
CEO
Copper Star Gaming
Doug Harbach
Communications Director
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Prof. Glenn Sterner
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Penn State Abington
Amy R. Hubbard
Drug and Alcohol Program Manager, Compulsive Problem Gambling Section
PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs
Ask a Veterinarian
Watch another edition of Ask a Veterinarian on this episode of Conversations Live. Local veterinarians Debra Smart and Andrea Loar answer pet-related questions such as proper diet and exercise, and more!
Host:
Guests:
College Athletes and Mental Health
Penn State President Eric Barron and Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren talk about the importance of mental health among college athletes, the challenges they face, and what the Big Ten is doing to support athletes.
A Special Conversation on Race Relations in Central PA
Issues on race continue to be front and center in American Society. Questions on critical race theory, calls for police reform, and other topics have challenged the way we think about race. Watch this special pre-recorded conversation on race in Central PA with two panels of experts as they talk about issues related to Communities and Police, and Education and Race.
Segment 1: Communities and Police
Guests

Penn State World Campus Academic Advising & Student Disability Services
Segment 2: Education and Race
Guests
Prof. Cynthia Young
Associate Professor of African American Studies, English, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Prof. JoAnn Foley-DeFiore
Associate Teaching Professor of Biobehavioral Health
Immersive Technology in the Classroom
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about immersive technology in the classroom, how it can enhance learning, and how Penn State is applying the technology.
COVID-19 in 2021-22
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it can be hard to keep up with the information. We’ll talk with a panel of experts about vaccines and booster shots, the impact of the pandemic on mental health particularly children, and what we need to know about “breakthrough” cases.
Guests
Resources
Climate Change
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about global climate change, and what Penn State is doing to address the problem.
Kane

Kane’s long history unfolds as community members share stories of Thomas L. Kane and the Lobo wolves. Community pride is on full display in tales about K.A.R.E. and the library, and stories of Art in the Wilds and Wildcat Park.
Get Your Garden On! (Summer 2021)
Growing season is in full swing — flowers are blooming and summer veggies are on the way. But questions are starting to crop up too. On WPSU’s next Conversations Live, Penn State Extension educators Tom Butzler and Tom Ford will share their gardening expertise on everything from keeping weeds at bay to knowing how much to water your plants.
Guests
Tom Butzler
Penn State Extension Educator, Clinton County
Tom Butzler works with commercial horticulture operations and the landscaping community in Clinton County. His area of expertise is vegetable production and beekeeping.
Thomas Ford
Penn State Extension Educator, Cambria County
Tom Ford works with commercial horticulture operations and growers in Cambria County. His areas of expertise include greenhouse and nursery production and fruit trees.
Portage

Volunteers from the Portage area share stories of coal mining and the railroads, the Portage Women’s Club and library, Summerfest, and Sanders Soda.
The Penn State Arboretum
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the Penn State Arboretum. They discuss the spring and summer schedule of events and the upcoming expansion plans.
Legalizing Marijuana
As more states legalize recreational marijuana, will Pennsylvania follow suit? On WPSU’s next Conversations Live, We’ll talk with a panel of guests to discuss the pros and cons of marijuana legalization. We’ll also take your calls. Join us as we talk about legalizing marijuana.
Guests

Sen. Street is co-sponsor of the Adult Use Marijuana Legalization Bill in Pennsylvania. Elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2016, he represents the Third Senatorial District of Philadelphia.
senatorsharifstreet.com

Director of the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at Ohio State
moritzlaw.osu.edu/faculty/douglas-a-berman
The Investment 2021
The top six Penn State student startup teams from the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP)’s 2021 Inc.U Competition compete on WPSU-TV’s Shark Tank-style TV show The Investment 2021 for a chance at a share of up to $30,000 in funding for their startup. The six student startups in the program include Girls Code the World, JERPA Jeans, Miss Monroe Collection, Sports Data Now, Xora, and Table Rock Markets.
The judges are Lou Childs, co-founder and chief operating officer of Dovetail Essentials (makers of SlumberPod); Robert E. Morgan, founder and CEO of Talaria Media; Sheri Collins Sr. director in the Office of Corporate Relations at the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED); and Jordan Rednor, executive director and chief operating officer of Decoded Advertising.
The sponsors for the competition prize money are Invent Penn State, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the Penn State College of Engineering, the Robert & Tammy Morgan Entrepreneurship Fund, and the Penn State Schreyer Honors College.
The Investment 2021 is supported, in part, by local businesses KCF Technologies, Inc., Everett Cash Mutual Insurance Company, Ulicny Financial Communications, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners.
Cooking at Home
Cooking at home has taken on a whole new life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay-at-home orders and self-quarantining have left millions of people not just with spare time to cook, but a necessity to cook at home. How have our attitudes towards cooking and food changed over the last year? How has it affected where we get our food and our local restaurants? And what kind of cooking trends are likely to remain in a post-pandemic world? We’ll answer these questions, give cooking tips, and more.
Guests
Duke Gastiger
Co-owner of Refarm Cafe at Windswept
Tamra Fatemi
WPSU Events Coordinator, World Kitchen
Beth Egan
Teaching Professor Emeritus in Food Service Management at Penn State
Rethinking Care: Health Humanities and the Pandemic
The COVID 19 pandemic has provided a stress test for the American healthcare system. In Rethinking Care, we view healthcare through the lens of the humanities, focusing on ways to repair some of the inequities of the system, and provide better care for healthcare workers and patients alike.
3-D Printing
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about 3-D printing. The advances that have been made in 3-D printing, how it can be used to make a difference in people’s lives, and what Penn State is doing with the technology.
Best Practices for Simple Video Filming and Editing
WPSU producers share their expertise on filming and editing simple videos to enhance your classroom experiences. These how-to videos will help you create engaging videos for your classroom, and learn basic techniques for editing videos to post online.
Explore the World with Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows
WPSU is delighted to have collaborated with the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows Office at Penn State to create a video series presented by the 2021 Humphrey Fellows. These educational videos, suited for classroom and community viewing, feature each fellow talking about their home country, its culture, history, and people. In addition to online access, WPSU will broadcast the videos as a half-hour program during the weekday instructional television block.
2021 Humphrey Fellows
Bulgaria – Dr. Vladislav Slavov
Dr. Vladislav Slavov is an associate professor and Vice Dean at the Technical University of Sofia in Bulgaria. He is interested in engineering education and the use of artificial intelligence in higher education.
Burkina Faso – Mr. Pamoussa Sawadogo
Mr. Pamoussa Sawadogo is the Supervisor of Ecole Nationale d’Administration et de Magistrature in Burkina Faso. He is focused on project management and adult education.
Ethiopia – Dr. Mekdes Abera
Dr. Mekdes Aberais the Dean of Students at St. Mary’s University in Ethiopia. She is intereste in education policy, higher education administration, and multiculturalism.
Gabon – Mr. Arnaud Freddy Koumba
Mr. Arnaud Freddy Koumbais an English teacher at Ecole Nationale de Commerce in Gabon. He is interested in American English and foundations.
Honduras – Dr. Maria Luisa Rendon Fajardo
Dr. Maria Rendon Fajardo is an administrator at the National University of Honduras. She is interested in online education and higher education administration.
Myanmar – Dr. May Zin Oo
Dr. May Zin Oo is a professor at Mandalay Technical University in Myanmar. She wants to learn more about U.S. higher education and improve her communication skills.
Myanmar – Dr. Zaw Myo Naing
Dr. Zaw Myo Naing is an education coordinator at the Monastic Education Development Group in Myanmar. He is focused on teacher education, professional development, and educational leadership.
Pakistan – Mr. Pir Qasim Shah
Mr. Pir Qasim Shah is an Assistant Director of Quality Assurance at the Higher Education Commission in Pakistan. He is focused on higher education governance, regulation, policy, and data science, as well as education regulation and quality assurance.
Serbia – Dr. Marijan Misic
Dr. Marijan Misic is the principal of Gimnazija Svetozar Markovic in Serbia. He is interested in education policy in the U.S. and educational leadership.
Zambia – Mr. Lubosi Kikamba
Mr. Lubosi Kikamba is the Assistant Registrar for Quality and Risk Assurance at the National Institute of Public Administration in Zambia. He is focused on leadership and improving higher education.
Bringing Penn State and PBS Resources to You
In addition to the videos, we can arrange virtual visits with the 10 fellows during the spring semester as a discussion after the screening. These educators are from Ethiopia, Honduras, Zambia, Gabon, Serbia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Bulgaria, and Burkina Faso.
Please use this form to make your request and answer each question below to the best of your ability. Please send questions to Tamra at tamra@psu.edu.
About the Humphrey Fellowship
The Humphrey Fellowship Program is a one-year non-degree program of combined academic and professional development opportunities. It brings accomplished mid-career professionals from designated countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East to selected universities in the United States for public service, advanced study, professional training, and work-related experiences. Penn State was one of 13 universities originally commissioned in the program. Thirteen universities nationwide participate.
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program at Penn State Facebook Page
Get Your Garden On! (Spring 2021)
Gardening is more popular than ever. And it’s no surprise. At a time when you’re looking for something enjoyable to do that’s close to home, gardening is a great choice. We’ll talk with Penn State Extension educators Tom Butzler and Tom Ford, on what we can do this spring with our gardens. They’ll give tips on everything from starting a vegetable garden, to pruning trees, and we’ll take your questions.
Guests
Tom Butzler
Horticulture Educator, Penn State Extension
Tom Butzler works with commercial horticulture operations and the landscaping community in Clinton County. His area of expertise is vegetable production and beekeeping.
Thomas Ford
Horticulture Educator, Penn State Extension
Tom Ford works with commercial horticulture operations and growers in Cambria County. His areas of expertise include greenhouse and nursery production and fruit trees.
University Commencement
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about Commencement. What it is, why it is important, and its history at Penn State.
Community Discussion: The Role of Black Churches
WPSU invited members of the community to take part in a discussion about the roles Black churches play in central Pennsylvania. Will Price moderates a panel discussion and takes viewers questions and comments.
Moderator
Will Price – Producer/Multimedia Specialist
Will is a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award winning Producer from State College, PA. He is a 2017 graduate of the Donald P. Bellasario College of Communications at Penn State University. He is excited to be leading a discussion on a topic near and dear to his heart!
Panelists
Gary Abdullah, founding member of the Penn State Black Caucus and former president of the Forum on Black Affairs at Penn State
Barbara Farmer, a retired administrator from the State College Area School District and the district’s first African American principal, and a former director of multicultural affairs for Penn State’s College of Informational Sciences and Technology
Paul McReynolds, pastor of the Albright-Bethune/Park Forest Village United Methodist Church in State College
Sylvia Morris, the chaplaincy program director for Pennsylvania’s State Correctional Institute at Smithfield, pastor of Payne Church in Huntingdon and pulpit assistant at Bethel AME Church in Mt. Union.
The panelists will discuss the documentary in three segments: the formation of the Black church in America after the abolition of slavery; the rise of the Black church and its importance to major historical events, and the relationship between the religious and secular worlds; and a look at the Black church today and its role in social justice and equality issues, and its relationship with millennials and Generation Z.
About The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song
In this intimate four-hour series from executive producer, host, and writer Henry Louis Gates, Jr., we trace how this came to be in the 400 year-old story of the Black church in America, all the way down to its bedrock role as the site of African American survival and endurance, grace and resilience, thriving and testifying, freedom and independence, solidarity and speaking truth to power.
Major corporate support for THE BLACK CHURCH: THIS IS OUR STORY, THIS IS OUR SONG is provided by Johnson & Johnson. Major support is also provided by Lilly Endowment, Inc., Ford Foundation, and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS, and public television viewers.
COVID-19 Vaccination
As COVID-19 vaccines are distributed in Pennsylvania and across the country, there are still questions and concerns. How effective are the vaccines? Can someone transmit the virus even after getting vaccinated? When will things return to “normal”? On our next episode of Conversations Live, we’ll answer these questions and more with guest experts. We’ll also take your calls. Join us on Conversations Live: The COVID-19 Vaccine.
Guests
Dr. David Burwell
Chief quality officer for UPMCs Altoona, Bedford, Somerset and Western Maryland
Prof. Beth McGraw
Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics at Penn State
Additional Resources
Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics at Penn State COVID FAQ
To submit questions to the CIDD at Penn State, email AskCIDD@psu.edu.
UPMC COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
Call 844-UPMC-VAC to inquire about COVID-19 Vaccine appointments
Penn State Health COVID-19 Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Resources
Student Food Insecurity
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about student food insecurity on university campuses; what causes food insecurity and what can be done to help the millions of students who are affected.
COVID-19 and Non-Profit Organizations
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the challenges and difficulties facing non-profit organizations during COVID-19, and why their work is more important now than ever.
Ask a Veterinarian
Do you have questions about your pet? Or maybe you’re thinking of adopting one. On our next episode of Conversations Live, we’ll talk about all things pets with veterinarians Fred Metzger from Metzger Animal Hospital, and Debra Smart from Centre Animal Hospital. We’ll cover topics such as proper diet and exercise for your pet, and keeping pets safe from COVID-19.
Guests
Fred Metzger
Owner & Director
Metzger Animal Hospital
Debra Smart
Owner & Director
Centre Animal Hospital
College Athletics During COVID-19
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the challenges of conducting college athletics during COVID-19.
Moshannon Valley

Moshannon Valley’s long history unfolds as community members share stories of coal mining and the Ally Popper. Community pride is on full display in tales about the Houtzdale Revitalization Association and ministerium.
The Online Classroom
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the classroom and the rise of the online classroom.
Children’s Grief
How do children grieve? Is it different from the way adults grieve? And how does grieving change as children grow? On our next episode of Conversations Live, we’ll answer these questions and more when we speak with Vicki Jay from the National Alliance for Grieving Children, Kevin Carter from Uplift Center for Grieving Children, and Melody Ray from Healing Patch.
Guests
The 2020 Election
We’ll talk with the Director of the Franklin and Marshall College Poll, Terry Madonna, and Penn State Political Scientist Candis Watts Smith about the 2020 election. How will the use of mail-in voting and drop boxes affect the election? How are opinions being influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic? And, what issues are important to Pennsylvania voters? We’ll answer those questions and take YOUR calls.
Host
Anne Danahy
WPSU Reporter
Guests
G. Terry Madonna
Director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs
Director of the Franklin and Marshall College Poll
Professor of Public Affairs
Candis Smith
Associate Professor of Political Science and African American Studies
Black Lives Matter
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about how the Black Lives Matter movement is manifesting on college campuses and what work needs to be done in higher education to address systemic racism.
The 2020 Election
This November, America will elect a president. Many people are calling this election historic and there have even been claims that our democracy may hang in the balance. But exactly how do the circumstances of this election fit into the long history of elections in this country and what issues might be central to this election as it progresses?
On this episode, Penn State President Eric Barron talks to Danielle Conway, Dean and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law at Dickinson Law, and Michael Berkman, Director of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy, about the upcoming election.
COVID-19
We answer your questions on the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll cover topics such as as how much longer the pandemic will last, when we will get a vaccine, how havepeople of color been disproportionately impacted, and more.
Guests
- Chris DeFlitch, Penn State Health Vice President and Chief Medical Information Officer
- Niki vonLockette, Associate Professor of Public Policy and African American Studies
- Beth McGraw, Professor and Huck Scholar in Entomology