Steve Sampsell

A half dozen standout entries from Penn State students were announced as Region 1 Mark of Excellence winners in a competition conducted by the Society of Professional Journalists to determine the best in collegiate journalism.

Steve Manuel, associate teaching professor in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State, has announced his retirement. His last day as faculty member at the University will be June 30. A Penn State alum, Manuel has been teaching public relations, crisis communications and photojournalism since October 1996 — one month after he retired to end a 28-year career of military service.

Fourteen Penn State entries were selected as winners in their categories of the annual Golden Quill Awards, a competition sponsored by the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania.

A feature story by a Penn State student about a South Carolina town with a reputation as a Little Leage baseball powerhouse was selected as one of five finalists for the inaugural Dan Jenkins Medal for Excellence in Sports Writing.

Two video projects produced by Penn State students for University partners earned five awards — including a prestigious Gold Telly Award — in an international competition that honors video and television across all screens.

“To Kill a Nazi,” a Penn State faculty member's documentary about a French family man’s quest to kill his father’s Gestapo executioner, will make its world premiere June 22 as an official selection at Dances With Films, and will screen at the legendary TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

Jocelyn Bilker, a rising senior from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, is completing an internship at NBC News’ national bureau in Washington, D.C., supporting “Hallie Jackson NOW.”

Several Penn State students have been credentialed to participate in the Capital One All-Star Village experience around Major League Baseball’s 96th All-Star Game in Philadelphia.

“To Kill a Nazi,” a Penn State professor’s critically acclaimed documentary about a French family man’s quest to assassinate his father’s Gestapo executioner, will make its international debut July 27 at a 17th-century Croatian fortress overlooking the Adriatic Sea during the Croatian International Film Festival in Šibenik, Croatia.

Fourteen different Penn State student productions or individuals earned nominations in seven different categories for the 2026 College Student Production Awards, presented as part of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.