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Digging Deeper

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

In this monthly talk show, Penn State President Eric Barron explores how work being done at the University impacts the broader community. Penn State senior Rhea Jha serves as co-host and rounds out each episode by asking President Barron questions that are on the minds of students, faculty, staff, and community members. Learn about the latest research, services, and more on Digging Deeper!

About the Hosts

eric-barronEric J. Barron, Penn State’s 18th president, is a geologist at heart and a scientist who has studied the earth and its processes. In office since May 2014, he’s a rock solid leader for our ever-evolving great public research University. From day one, he has rolled up his sleeves to dig in deeper to the issues impacting Penn State. Read more at President Barron’s blog: Digging Deeper.

Andrew DestinAndrew Destin is a senior from Saratoga, California, double majoring in journalism and political science at Penn State. Destin is a sports director for CommRadio, which is Penn State’s student-run radio station, and is a sports reporter for the Daily Collegian. He also works for the Big Ten Network as a play-by-play broadcaster for various sports on campus. Destin has previously interned for WPSU as a radio news reporter. He has also interned as a sportswriter for the Santa Cruz Sentinel and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Episodes

Penn State President Eric Barron talks to Penn State President elect Dr. Neeli Bendapudi

Penn State’s New President

Posted on May 22, 2022

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. Continue »

 

guests on Digging Deeper

The Pollinator and Bird Garden at the Arboretum

Posted on April 24, 2022

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. Continue »

 

Nursing at Penn State

Posted on March 27, 2022

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. Continue »

 

Innovation Hub and Start Up Week

Posted on February 20, 2022

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. Continue »

 

Telemedicine

Posted on January 23, 2022

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? Continue »

 

The Great Resignation

Posted on December 19, 2021

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? Continue »

 

Immersive Technology in the Classroom

Posted on October 31, 2021

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. Continue »

 

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests on Digging Deeper

Climate Change

Posted on September 27, 2021

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about global climate change, and what Penn State is doing to address the problem. Continue »

 

Eric Barron with guests on Digging Deeper

The Penn State Arboretum

Posted on May 23, 2021

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. Continue »

 

Penn State President Eric Baron with guests on an episode of Digging Deeper

3-D Printing

Posted on April 18, 2021

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. Continue »

 

Digging Deeper Episode 707

University Commencement

Posted on March 21, 2021

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about Commencement. What it is, why it is important, and its history at Penn State. Continue »

 

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests

Student Food Insecurity

Posted on February 21, 2021

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. Continue »

 

Digging Deeper

COVID-19 and Non-Profit Organizations

Posted on January 10, 2021

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. Continue »

 

Eric Barron on the set of Digging Deeper

The Online Classroom

Posted on November 22, 2020

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. Continue »

 

Eric Barron on the set of Digging Deeper

Black Lives Matter

Posted on October 18, 2020

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. Continue »

 

Eric Barron on the set of Digging Deeper

The 2020 Election

Posted on September 29, 2020

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. Continue »

 

digging deeper student debt

Student Debt

Posted on June 10, 2020

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about rising student debt and how institutions of higher education remain relevant in the face of increasing costs. Continue »

 

Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Automation, A.I., and the Economy

Posted on February 10, 2020

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the rise of automation and A.I., and the disruptive effect it could have on certain industries and the economy as a whole. Continue »

 

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Energy 2100

Posted on January 7, 2020

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the Energy 2100 initiative and Penn State’s commitment to renewable energy. Continue »

 

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Sports Gambling

Posted on December 2, 2019

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the rising prominence of sports gambling and what has caused its recent popularity. Continue »

 

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Collegiate Esports

Posted on October 21, 2019

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the rising popularity of Esports and how universities will get involved in the trend. Continue »

 

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Census

Posted on October 18, 2019

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the upcoming census and the importance of the information collected. Continue »

 

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Shaver’s Creek

Posted on May 19, 2019

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, what’s new and what people can expect this summer. Continue »

 

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests

Opioid Crisis

Posted on April 21, 2019

Penn State President Eric Barron talks with Stephanie Lanza, director of The Edna Benett Pierce Prevention Research Center and Glenn Sterner, assistant professor of criminal justice, about the opioid crisis and what Penn State is doing to help. Continue »

 

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests

World in Conversation

Posted on March 24, 2019

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the World in Conversation project, their Martin Luther King Day event, and the importance of facilitated dialogue. Continue »

 

Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Invasive Species

Posted on February 17, 2019

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about some of the new invasive species that have recently been introduced to Pennsylvania, what impact the they might have and what residents need to know. Continue »

 

Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Fake News

Posted on January 20, 2019

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the emergence of fake news, it’s impact on American culture and what it means for the legitimate news media. Continue »

 

Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Big Data

Posted on December 16, 2018

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about big data; what it is, how it is collected, and how it is used. Continue »

 

Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Greek Life Reform, Part 2

Posted on December 4, 2018

Penn State President Eric Barron talks with current Penn State students about the changes to Greek Life on campus since the tragic death of Tim Piazza. Continue »

 

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

1855 Fund

Posted on October 21, 2018

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests discuss the INVENT Penn State initiative and the impact it is having in communities across Pennsylvania. Continue »

 

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Greek Life Reform

Posted on September 23, 2018

Penn State President Eric Barron talks with Jim and Evelyn Piazza, the parents of Tim Piazza, about the steps being taken to implement Greek life reform. Continue »

 

Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Convergence Research

Posted on April 3, 2018

Penn State President Eric Barron discusses a new style of research in which experts from many disciplines coordinate their technologies and knowledge in ways that produce exponential advances. Continue »

 

Eric Barron and guest on the set of Digging Deeper

FaceAge

Posted on February 16, 2018

In this episode of Digging Deeper Dr. Eric Barron speaks with Penn State Laureate Andrew Belser about the award-winning video project: FaceAge. Continue »

 

Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Food Security

Posted on November 9, 2017

Scientists at the “Roots Lab” at Penn State are working on building sustainable sources of food and nutrition for the developing world. Continue »

 

Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Fighting Antibiotic Resistance

Posted on October 24, 2017

A pair of Penn State professors discuss their research study on the effects of overusing antibiotics with Penn State President Eric Barron. Continue »

 

Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Finding Your Roots

Posted on June 9, 2017

President talks with Penn State experts about the impact a summer camp can have on students’ attitudes towards science. Continue »

 

Eric Barrona and Shoba Sivaprasad on the set of Digging Deeper

Immigration

Posted on May 5, 2017

President talks with a Penn State expert about immigration policy and President Trump's executive orders. Continue »

 

Eric Barron and guests on the set of Digging Deeper

Winemaking

Posted on March 26, 2017

President Barron and Penn State experts discuss the fundamentals of growing grapes and making wine in Pennsylvania. Continue »

 

More from WPSU

The Local Groove Presents

Posted on February 28, 2023

The Local Groove Presents is a spin-off of our popular radio show and features musical performances by Pennsylvania artists at WPSU’s studio. The series features a variety of genres from indie rock to folk and bluegrass from local bands and songwriters.

 

3 young adults row a small boat down a river

Water Blues Green Solutions

Posted on October 17, 2021

Water Blues Green Solutions tells stories from across the country of communities that are adopting new ways of thinking about how to protect, restore, and preserve our rivers and sources of drinking water.