From the Dean

A Year of Milestones

In higher education, summer is the time for “end-of-year” reflection and resolution-setting as we close out one academic year and prepare for another. As I read through this issue, I was struck at the significant achievements of our people and the milestones for our programs in 2023-24.

Here are some highlights:

• Our first Evan Pugh Professor. Shyam Sundar, our James P. Jimirro Professor of Media Effects, has now been recognized as one of the most distinguished and impactful researchers at the University and is the first professor of ours to be given this highest of honors. Shyam is also one of our longest-serving faculty members (he arrived in 1995) and leads Penn State’s Center for Socially Responsible AI. But he’s not all-work, no-fun: For instance, he’s hosted a jazz radio show on the campus student-run station for years.

• Two decades of leadership in sports journalism. The John Curley Center for Sports Journalism celebrated its 20th anniversary with an incredible slate of opportunities for students through the year, starting with a partnership with the Associated Press to cover early rounds of the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. The Curley Center, a pioneer program widely copied among our peers, offers one of the most strongly enrolled certificates at Penn State and is flourishing under the leadership of our Knight Chair, John Affleck.

• Two decades of ethical leadership in public communication. The Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication was a brainchild of legendary alumnus Larry Foster (’48 Journ), who called former dean Doug Anderson with the idea 20 years ago. A small group convened in 101 Carnegie Building, and from that the Page Center emerged. Larry was a tireless fundraiser for the Page Center, which today boasts an endowment of more than $4 million, along with a set of online modules used by faculty and students around the globe, and research that connects industry to the academy with impact.

• National recognition for our students. Of course, our students make us proud with big contest wins every year. But this year was especially gratifying. The headliner: Our student team advanced to the finals of the American Advertising Federation’s National Student Advertising Competition from a field of more than 100 schools — a first in more than a decade. Other highlights: Our Association for Women in Sports Media chapter was honored — for the third time in six years — as chapter of the year; and “Centre County Report” was honored at the state, regional and national level as a top newscast.

There is much, much more in this issue of our annual report to convince you this past year was truly remarkable — and to make you proud of the Bellisario College and Penn State. I look forward to sharing much more in the way of good news as we look ahead. Thank you for your enduring support of our work.

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Dean Marie Hardin