Steve Sampsell

A weekly podcast that offers a recap of Centre County news and provides a summary of local government meetings from across the county has launched, thanks to the efforts of Penn State communications students.

Films produced by Penn State students will be screened during the annual Blue and White Film Festival on April 13 at the State Theatre in downtown State College.

Penn State alumnus Mark Lima, who serves as vice president and Washington bureau chief for CBS News, will deliver the commencement address for the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications on May 9 at the Bryce Jordan Center.

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.”