WPSU TV/FM - Penn State Public Broadcasting

Press Releases

4.8.2008
WPSU-FM'S “THIS I BELIEVE” FEATURES AN ESSAY BY TYRONE RESIDENT
At the age of 22, Tyrone native Ryan Kenawell is officially “all grown up.” But, as the featured radio essayist for this week’s installment of WPSU-FM’s new series, “This I Believe,” Kenawell expresses his belief in the power of cartoons and video games to keep you young forever. View release...

4.8.2008
WPSU-FM'S "THIS I BELIEVE" FEATURES AN ESSAY BY COGAN STATION
They're out there, somewhere. The man known as "Dr. Seti" believes it. View release...

4.7.2008
WPSU SEEKING WWII STORIES AT ALTOONA EVENT
WPSU invites the "greatest generation" to recount their unique experiences of WWII. WPSU-TV is asking those who lived through WWII to offer their stories during a video recording session to be held on Saturday, May 3 at the Penn State Altoona campus. In order to take part in the event, those with firstperson accounts of WWII must call 814-863-6636 to schedule an appointment--spaces are limited, anyone interested should call soon. Appointments must be made by Thursday, April 24. View release...

4.4.2008
PUBLIC CAN JOIN A STUDIO AUDIENCE AT WPSU FOR INTERVIEW WITH PERUVIAN
WPSU and Penn State's Institute for the Arts and Humanities (IAH) present a public conversation with Mario Vargas Llosa, one of Latin America's leading novelists and essayists. "A Conversation with Mario Vargas Llosa" will be held at WPSU's studios in the lobby of the Outreach Building in Penn State's Innovation Park at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10. The public is welcome to be part of this broadcast event and can participate with their questions and comments. The event is free and no tickets are required. View release...

3.31.2008
PUBLIC IS INVITED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 5TH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL RACE
WPSU invites the public to participate in a public conversation on the issues facing residents in the 5th Congressional District. The public is welcome join the studio audience of this broadcast event entitled "Race for the 5th," at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 7 in the lobby of the Outreach Building in Penn State’s Innovation Park. Seating is limited; if possible, please call in advance to secure a seat by calling 863-6242. View release...

3.28.2008
WPSU'S STUDIOS SETTING FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION WITH MEAVE LEAKEY
WPSU and the Rock Ethics Institute at Penn State host a public conversation with Meave Leakey, the current standard-bearer for the Leakey fossilhunting dynasty. The public is welcome to be part of this broadcast event entitled "A Conversation with Meave Leakey," and can participate with their questions and comments at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2 in the lobby of the Outreach Building in Penn State’s Innovation Park. View release...

3.17.2008
PUBLIC IS INVITED TO DISCUSS LOCAL FOODS AT WPSU'S STUDIOS
Farmer's market season is almost here, and across central Pennsylvania families are asking for ways to find sources for good, fresh, local produce. WPSU presents a public discussion that will explore local foods as part of its Common Ground Lobby Talks series. Producer Patty Satalia and a panel of experts will discuss many aspects of the local foods movement— building stronger local economies; environmental and ethical implications of agriculture; resources for local foods; and the state of small family farms and industrial agriculture in our community. Anyone is welcome to join in the conversation as an audience member and participate with questions and comments at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26 in the lobby of the Outreach Building in Penn State's Innovation Park. View release...

3.13.2008
PUBLIC IS INVITED TO DISCUSS POSITIVE AGING AND CREATIVE RETIREMENT
WPSU and OLLI at Penn State present a public discussion to provide insight to those entering and in late adulthood. A group of experts on positive aging will participate in a discussion on the opportunities and challenges that arise during what is known as "Third Age," the years between 50 and 80. The public is welcome to be part of this broadcast event entitled "Third Age: Designing the Second Half of Life," and can participate with their questions and comments at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18 in the lobby of the Outreach Building in Penn State’s Innovation Park. View release...

3.11.2008
WPSU-FM LAUNCHES LOCAL "THIS I BELIEVE"
WPSU-FM invites residents in central Pennsylvania to speak out about their personal philosophy and the core values that guide their daily lives for a new radio program, WPSU’s "This I Believe." View release...

2.22.2008
DUBOIS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS CREATE DOCUMENTARY FOR WPSU-TV
Middle school students from DuBois will be featured in the newest installation of WPSU-TV's "Our Town" series, set to air Thursday, March 13 at 8 p.m. Students videotaped DuBois landmarks and told stories that are important in their lives and, with the help of parents and teachers, turned their footage and stories into "Our Town: DuBois–The Kids' Cut." The program can also be watched online by visiting www.wpsu.org during the broadcast. View release...

2.22.2008
LEWISTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS CREATE DOCUMENTARY FOR WPSU-TV
Middle school students from Lewistown will be featured in the newest installation of WPSU-TV's "Our Town" series, set to air Thursday, March 20 at 8 p.m. Students videotaped Lewistown landmarks and told stories that are important in their lives and, with the help of parents and teachers, turned their footage and stories into "Our Town: Lewistown–The Kids' Cut." The program can also be watched online by visiting www.wpsu.org during the broadcast. View release...

2.22.2008
EXECUTIVE HOBBIES DISCUSSED ON WPSU-TV/FM WITH PENN STATE PRESIDENT
Experts say that business leaders who pursue passionate hobbies that put them into a completely different realm of activity and accomplishment recharge their thinking batteries and improve their business performance. Pens State President Graham Spanier invites his guests, two top-level executives, to discuss the unconventional ways they use their downtime during "To The Best Of My Knowledge." The live call-in show airs at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, on WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM. View release...

2.5.2008
WPSU CONNOISSEUR'S DINNER AND AUCTION RAISES MORE THAN $40,000
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (Feb. 5, 2008) – Nearly 300 guests came to The Nittany Lion Inn to learn the secrets of Cajun and Creole cooking at the 16th Annual Connoisseur's Dinner and Auction. This benefit for WPSU was held on Saturday, Feb. 2. PBS guest chef for this year's fundraiser was John Folse, host of "A Taste of Louisiana with Chef John Folse & Company," seen at 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays on WPSUTV. This year's auction raised more than $40,000 for Penn State Public Broadcasting. View release...

1.18.2008
PENN STATE PRESIDENT DISCUSSES HEART ATTACK SURVIVAL ON WPSU-TV/FM
When it comes to surviving a heart attack, minutes matter. Each year, about 1.1 million Americans suffer a heart attack; more than 40% are fatal. On the next edition of "To the Best of My Knowledge” Penn State President Graham Spanier and guests will discuss what factors determine survival of a heart attack and explore a life-saving procedure called Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, or PCI. The live call-in show airs at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, on WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM. View release...

1.11.2008
WPSU-TV “LOBBY TALK” TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF SPORTS GAMBLING
Sports betting continues to be a growing problem on college campuses nationwide. According to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission (NGISC), as many as 1.1 million kids between the ages of 12 and 18 are considered pathological gamblers, making the proportion of adolescent gamblers in the United States three times that of adults. On the next “Common Ground Lobby Talk,” Penn State President Graham Spanier will discuss sports gambling and its effects on students and college athletics. View release...

12.4.2007
LOCAL FILMMAKER’S DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES MODERN JOURNALISM THROUGH PENN STATE’S “DAILY COLLEGIAN”
From gay rights to racial bias, from plummeting circulation to “infotainment,” from burntout reporters to hard-bitten editors, the documentary “The Paper” goes inside a newsroom to reveal the drama of pressurecooker journalism. But this is not some big-city major daily. It’s “The Daily Collegian,” published by students at Penn State who, in the course of year face crashing deadlines, ethical dilemmas, doubts and disagreements—all while shouldering courses, homework and exams. “The Paper” will have its national broadcast premiere on the Emmy Awardwinning PBS series “Independent Lens” on Tuesday, Dec. 11 (check local listings or http://www.pbs.org/tvschedules/). The program will air on Penn State’s PBS station, WPSU-TV, at 10:00 p.m. on Dec. 11. View release...

11.28.2007
FRIENDLY FACES OF BROCKWAY APPEAR ON WPSU-TV
The friendly faces of Brockway are now appearing on WPSU-TV between programs. Brockway locals are appearing during the evening on weekdays and all day on weekends during the breaks between shows. The residents are captured on camera identifying where they are from with smiling faces and Brockway landmarks in the background. View release...

11.19.2007
ISLAM IN EUROPE DISCUSSED IN STATE COLLEGE
Why is it important for central Pennsylvania to understand the impact of Islam on Europe? Throughout history, Muslim neighbors to Europe have shared concepts such as paper, Arabic numerals, and medicine. As news coverage of Muslim issues increasingly highlights not cultural contributions but rather violence, WPSU-TV invites the public to bring their questions and be part of a discussion with a panel of experts on Islam and its representation in Europe. "Islam in Europe," a Common Ground Lobby Talk, will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at the Outreach Building on Penn State's University Park campus. View release...

11.19.2007
PENN STATE PRESIDENT DISCUSSES CUTTING DISORDERS ON WPSU-TV/FM
Cutting disorders and other forms of self-injury will be the topic of the next edition of "To the Best of My Knowledge," Penn State President Graham Spanier's monthly call-in show, airing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, on WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM. View release...

11.15.2007
WPSU-TV CELEBRATES ITS SELECTION AS STATION PARTNER IN THE NEW NATIONAL PBS KIDS RAISING READERS LITERACY INITIATIVE
WPSU-TV has been selected as one of the first 10 PBS member station partners in the country to participate in the new national PBS KIDS Raising Readers literacy initiative. This initiative will use research-based, dynamic and entertaining PBS KIDS® programs and related multi-media content to help meet the urgent literacy needs of kids, ages 2-8, from low income families. The national project is funded as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Ready To Learn grant and is managed by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), PBS and WTTW-TV through a cooperative agreement. View release...

10.23.2007
LOCAL TEACHERS CAN FIND FREE RESOURCES TO USE IN THE CLASSROOM AT WPSU-TV’S FALL FEST
For many teachers, new and creative resources to use in the classroom can be hard to find—and expensive. Now local teachers can go to an event, hosted by Penn State Public Broadcasting’s WPSU-TV Educational Services, which showcases the free resources available to them through WPSU, PBS, and other educational broadcasters. View release...

10.22.2007
SHAKESPEARE'S FOREVER-RELEVANT THEMES DRIVE DISCUSSION ON "REINVENTING SHAKESPEARE"
"Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn, and cauldron bubble," chant the witches in "Macbeth." Two Actors from the London Stage and literary experts explore famous quotations and themes from the works of William Shakespeare as part of WPSU's next Common Ground Lobby Talk series, held on the eve of Halloween. View release...

10.17.2007
WPSU AND COMCAST LAUNCH PBS WORLD AND CREATE CHANNELS IN CENTRE REGION
Comcast today announced the launch of two new channels to their Digital Cable lineup in the Centre Region. The value-added channels come at no additional cost to area customers. View release...

10.9.2007
WPSU SEEKING WWII STORIES AT BRADFORD EVENT
As part of a community engagement campaign centered around the national PBS broadcast of "The War," a Ken Burns documentary that explores the history and horror of the Second World War from an American perspective, WPSU invites the "greatest generation" to recount their unique experiences. WPSU-TV is asking those who lived through WWII to offer their stories during a video recording session to be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007, at the University of Pittsburgh Bradford campus. In order to take part in the event, those with first-person accounts of WWII must call 814-863-6636 to schedule an appointment--spaces are limited, anyone interested should call soon. View release...

10.5.2007
BROCKWAY AREA TO BE FOCUS OF "OUR TOWN" PRODUCTION—VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Public television station WPSU has announced that the Brockway area will be featured in the station's "Our Town" series. The "day-in-the-life" one-hour video scrapbook will focus on the people, places and happenings of the Brockway, Pa., area, as seen through the eyes of its residents. View release...

9.17.2007
WPSU-TV PREMIERES WWII DOCUMENTARY FEATURING LOCAL VETS
One and a quarter million of the armed forces in World War II came from Pennsylvania, a state that supplied both young men and women, and raw materials for the war effort. Many of those Pennsylvanians who returned from the service considered themselves the "lucky ones." From hometowns across the state—Erie, Lock Haven, Altoona—they served; they survived. These World War II experiences of Pennsylvania veterans are shared in this WPSU-TV documentary, "Pennsylvania War Stories: The Lucky Ones," premiering on Sunday, September 30, at 7 p.m. on WPSUTV. View release...

9.17.2007
WPSU HELPING TO TELL THE STORIES OF WWII
As part of an enormous community engagement campaign for "The War," WPSU-TV/FM invites veterans, and their families, to share their stories in the studios of Penn State Public Broadcasting. Audio and video recordings of first-person accounts will be taken by appointment, beginning at 8:30 a.m. through 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2007. Those interested must call 814-863-6636 to schedule an appointment--spaces are limited, please call soon. View release...

9.17.2007
WPSU-TV TO AIR KEN BURNS DOCUMENTARY SERIES "THE WAR"
WPSU-TV will air the new Ken Burns documentary series, "The War," beginning September 23 at 8 p.m. The seven-part documentary series, directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, explores the history and horror of the Second World War from an American perspective by following the fortunes of so-called ordinary men and women who get caught up in the greatest cataclysm in human history. View release...

9.17.2007
REMEMBRANCES OF WWII DISCUSSED BEFORE LIVE AUDIENCE
This month, PBS will be airing Ken Burns' new sevenpart documentary, "THE WAR," examining the experience of Americans who lived through the Second World War. As part of WPSU's Common Ground Lobby Talk series, a panel discussion, "The War Remembered, The War Forgotten" will explore some of the themes raised by the PBS documentary. The event will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 20 in the lobby of the Outreach Building in Penn State's Innovation Park. The public is invited to be part of a television studio audience and participate with their questions and comments at the event. View release...

9.6.2007
WPSU-TV'S "HUDDLE UP NITTANY LION FANS" TACKLES THE UPCOMING NOTRE DAME GAME
WPSU-TV’s production, "Huddle Up Nittany Lion Fans," tackles the world of Penn State football. The weekly program airs at 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Fridays, and, beginning September 15 the program will have an encore broadcast at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays throughout the football season on WPSU-TV. The program is podcast and available via streaming online at www.wpsu.org/huddleup. Friday’s edition will review the season opening win over Florida International and preview Notre Dame’s upcoming visit to Beaver stadium. View release...

8.28.2007
WPSU-TV HIGHLIGHTS MEMBERSHIP DRIVE WITH CELTIC WOMAN
WPSU-TV offers viewers an exclusive ticket opportunity to see Celtic Woman at the Bryce Jordan Center along with great performance programs during the public broadcasting station's membership drive at the beginning of September. View release...

8.23.2007
WPSU AND ATLANTIC BROADBAND TO LAUNCH PBS WORLD CHANNEL
PBS WORLD, a new channel featuring documentary, public affairs, and news programming from public television’s awardwinning signature series and acclaimed independent filmmakers, will make its local debut on September 1st and will be carried on cable channel 16 serving Atlantic Broadband cable TV customers in the Altoona/Johnstown area. View release...

8.14.2007
PRESS INVITED TO SCREENING OF WPSU-TV'S "OUR TOWN: EVERETT"
Press is invited to attend the private screening of "Our Town: Everett" on Tuesday, August 28 at 7 p.m. The screening will be held in the Everett High School auditorium. Community members from the Everett area that helped to produce the program will be at the screening to catch the first glimpse of what they created with the help of WPSU-TV. View release...

6.29.2007
EVERETT AREA TO BE FOCUS OF "OUR TOWN" PRODUCTION—VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Public television station WPSU has announced that the Everett area will be featured in the station's "Our Town" series. The "day-in-the-life" one-hour video scrapbook will focus on the people, places and happenings of the Everett, Pa., area, as seen through the eyes of its residents. View release...

6.27.2007
WPSU AT LOCAL FESTIVALS THIS WEEK
WPSU-TV will be visiting local arts festivals this week, providing children with balloons, crafts, and smiles; conveying the importance of creativity and imagination through crafts and activities. View release...

6.21.2007
PENN STATE PRESIDENT DISCUSSES POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER ON WPSU-TV/FM
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be the topic of the next edition of "To the Best of My Knowledge," Penn State President Graham Spanier's monthly call-in show, airing at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 26, on WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM. View release...

6.18.2007
PENN STATE PUBLIC BROADCASTING WINS PAIR OF ‘TELLY’ AWARDS
Penn State Public Broadcasting took home silver and bronze awards at the recent 28th Annual Telly Awards. View release...

6.18.2007
NEWLY DIGITIZED 'WARING'S PENNSYLVANIANS' AVAILABLE ONLINE
The recently restored and digitized 1927 film short, "Waring's Pennsylvanians (No. 428)," has been made available at http://streams.wpsu.psu.edu/Warings06012.html online. This is the first time the sound and picture have been merged as one synchronized program. View release...

6.13.2007
FIVE CRITICAL CHILDREN’S HEALTH ISSUES FEATURED IN NEW PUBLIC TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY
Researchers say we are at risk of raising the first generation of American children who will live sicker and die younger than the generations before them. A new one-hour program called "PA Healthy Kids: Back to Basics," focuses on five critical children’s health issues—nutrition, physical activity, self-esteem, grieving and bullying—and will air on WPSU-TV at 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 21. View release...

6.11.2007
WPSU KIDS' DAY AT DELGROSSO'S BRINGS MONKEY BUSINESS TO TIPTON
On Saturday, June 23, DelGrosso's Amusement Park will be all monkey business when the lovable and mischievous monkey, Curious George, swings by to visit the park. View release...

5.30.2007
WPSU-TV SEEKS SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING
WPSU-TV, the public television station for central Pennsylvania, will be highlighting the importance of educational children's programming during their upcoming pledge drive. The drive offers a variety of special programming and runs from Saturday, June 2 through Sunday, June 10 with a goal of $35,000. View release...

5.25.2007
"OUR TOWN: JERSEY SHORE" PREMIERES ON WPSU-TV
Community members from Jersey Shore ventured out into the community this spring, cameras in hand, to tell the story of their hometown. The production, "Our Town: Jersey Shore" will premiere at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 7 on WPSU-TV. View release...

5.25.2007
COMCAST LAUNCHES PENN STATE ON DEMAND
Comcast Cable and Penn State University today announced the launch of Penn State ON DEMAND, a unique, groundbreaking collaboration that delivers the diverse resources of Penn State to 2.4 million Comcast customers throughout Pennsylvania. The service, available at no additional cost to Comcast Digital Cable customers, brings hundreds of hours of interviews, instructional and educational videos, documentaries, and newly uncovered archival material to consumers on their own schedule. View release...

5.21.2007
WPSU-TV SALUTES SOLDIERS ON MEMORIAL DAY
On the eve of Memorial Day, WPSU-TV salutes America’s lost soldiers and veterans and those currently serving with four programs that pay tribute to America’s soldiers. WPSU begins the tribute with PBS's "National Memorial Day Concert" at 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 27. The deeply moving and reverential tribute will be broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol before an on-site audience of more than 300,000, as well as millions more watching at home. View release...

5.10.2007
WPSU-FM'S SPRING PLEDGE DRIVE RESUMES
In April, WPSU-FM's membership drive was cut short so that the public radio station could air important breaking news. To complete the station's fundraising effort for the drive, WPSU-FM will return to the air to conduct a three-day membership drive, beginning Thursday, May 17. The goal for the drive will be $28,000. View release...

5.7.2007
PENN STATE PRESIDENT DISCUSSES CAMPUS VIOLENCE ON WPSU-TV/FM
Campus violence and troubled students will be the topic of the next edition of "To the Best of My Knowledge," Penn State President Graham Spanier's monthly call-in show, airing at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 15 on WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM. View release...

5.3.2007
STUDENTS AND THEIR "GREAT TEACHERS" PROFILED ON WPSU-TV DURING MAY
Local teachers and students from several school across central Pennsylvania will be featured on WPSUTV to recognize their submissions in WPSU's "Great Teachers: Making A Difference Essay Contest". Students and their "great" teachers will be profiled on WPSU-TV's "Pennsylvania Inside Out" at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays in May. The essay contest attracted more than 400 entries from thirdthrough 12th-grade students located throughout WPSU-TV's 29 county coverage area. View release...

4.30.2007
MICHAEL FELDMAN’S WHAD’YA KNOW? LIVE AT EISENHOWER AUDITORIUM
WPSU-FM is pleased to welcome public radio host Michael Feldman to central Pennsylvania for a live broadcast of his national show, Michael Feldman’s Whad’Ya Know?. Feldman brings the show to the Eisenhower Auditorium on Penn State's University Park campus on June 9, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. View release...

4.23.2007
PUBLIC IS INVITED TO DISCUSS CLIMATE CHANGE
The public is invited to be part of a television studio audience to discuss the ethical, religious and social justice implications of climate change—important parts of the global warming debate that are often left out of mainstream discourse. "Climate Change, Climate Justice" will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25 in the lobby of the Outreach Building in University Park, near the Penn Stater. The production is part of WPSU-TV's Common Ground Lobby Talk series and is hosted by Patty Satalia. For more information, visit wpsu.org/lobbytalks. View release...

4.20.2007
PENN STATE PRESIDENT DISCUSSES SPORTS JOURNALISM ON WPSU-TV/FM
Sports journalism and the role of sports in society will be the topic of the next edition of "To the Best of My Knowledge," Penn State President Graham Spanier's monthly call-in show, airing at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 24 on WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM. View release...

4.17.2007
WPSU-FM HOSTS EVENT WITH AUTHOR TAWNI O'DELL
New York Times bestselling author Tawni O'Dell will be the featured speaker at the upcoming "BookMark: Meet the Authors" event on Sunday, April 29, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the lobby of the Outreach Building in Innovation Park, near the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center. This event is being produced as an extension of WPSU-FM's weekly program, "BookMark," a community book-review show. View release...

4.9.2007
"AMERICA AT A CROSSROADS" TO AIR ON WPSU-TV
A national TV event examining the war on terrorism, conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the experience of American troops, and schisms within the Muslim world comes to WPSU-TV. "America at a Crossroads," a new groundbreaking series will launch on Sunday, April 15 and run through Friday, April 20, airing from 9 – 11 p.m. each night. View release...

4.9.2007
DANIEL LIBESKIND TO TALK AT WPSU
Daniel Libeskind, the architect who created the master plan for the reconstruction of the World Trade Center, will be the featured guest of the next Common Ground Lobby Talk series on Tuesday, April 17, at 4:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Outreach Building in Innovation Park. The public conversation, in which audience questions and comments are encouraged, will be hosted by WPSU's Patty Satalia and is presented by Penn State Public Broadcasting in collaboration with Penn State's Institute for the Arts and Humanities. The event is free and open to the public. No tickets or reservations are required. View release...

4.9.2007
WPSU-FM'S 5-DAY PLEDGE DRIVE TO BEGIN
Last fall, WPSU-FM marked new territory in its fundraising efforts by cutting the on-air membership drive in half to five days, receiving great response from listeners and members, and reaching the membership goal in record time. For the spring drive, the public radio station will hold another 5-Day Drive. The station's goal is to reach $342,000 in year-to-date membership contributions by the end of the campaign. The spring 5-Day Drive begins on Thursday, April 12. View release...

4.6.2007
PUBLIC IS INVITED TO DISCUSS SPORTS JOURNALISM WITH PENN STATE PRESIDENT
Sports journalism will be discussed during a special public television production of "To the Best of My Knowledge" with Penn State President Graham Spanier on Monday, April 9 at 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Outreach Building on Penn State’s University Park campus. View release...

4.2.2007
TAINTED PET FOOD MAY BRING ATTENTION TO SAFETY IN FOOD MANUFACTURING
The recent rodenticide contamination in many major pet foods highlights the need for effective food safety education in both manufacturing and restaurant environments. In addition to the health threat that is posed to pets by contaminated food, the CDC estimates that foodborne microbiologic hazards may be responsible for "as many as 76 million cases of illness in the United States each year and are thus an important food safety challenge." View release...

3.12.2007
PUBLIC IS INVITED TO DISCUSS APPROACHES TO ALZHEIMER'S
WPSU invites the public to "Beyond Medicine: Meeting the Challenge of Alzheimer's Disease Today" on Thursday, March 29 at 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Outreach Building in University Park, near the Penn Stater. As part of the Common Ground Lobby Talk series, host Patty Satalia and a panel of experts will discuss perspectives and approaches to dealing with dementia that go beyond the medical approach and will focus on expanding the current thinking of Alzheimer's Disease. The public is invited to participate in the discussion with their questions and comments. View release...

2.27.2007
PENN STATE PUBLIC BROADCASTING WINS FOUR COMMUNICATOR AWARDS
Penn State Public Broadcasting (WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM) has received four awards in the 13th Annual Communicator Awards competition, an international contest that honors excellence in communications. View release...

2.26.2007
MARCH IS MEMBERSHIP AND MUSIC MONTH ON WPSU-TV
Live concerts by timeless artists, bright new stars and neverbefore- seen performances will be coming to a television near you. WPSU-TV will air a host of new music programs this March ranging from the distinctive vocal trio Andiamo to never previously aired archival performances from the Lawrence Welk Show. The programs and concerts give viewers the chance to have a front row seat for everything from rock 'n' roll to classical without even buying a ticket. The programs will air during WPSU-TV's March membership drive, which begins Saturday, Mar. 3 and ends Sunday, Mar. 25. The goal for the drive is $145,000. View release...

2.19.2007
KIDS GET WIRED AND FIRED UP WITH "DESIGN SQUAD"
A weekly reality competition series that will inspire a new generation of engineers begins Friday, February 23 at 5 p.m. "Design Squad" has eight high schoolers competing to design (and build!) whimsical and worthy machines—everything from dragsters to waterslides—for real-life clients. Fun for people of all ages, this fresh, fast-paced PBS series is the fuel behind a national multimedia initiative designed to attract kids to careers in engineering. View release...

2.8.2007
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE "NEW ORLEANS" ON WPSU-TV
On August 29, 2005, a catastrophic hurricane named Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast of the United States. When the skies finally cleared, the survival of a major American city hung in the balance. For more than 200 years, that city had been an iconic feature on the national landscape — a vital port; a cosmopolitan mecca; a sensual, mysterious refuge. Now, the storm had laid it waste, raising a stark and previously unthinkable question: What exactly would America be without New Orleans? "New Orleans" airs Monday, February 12, at 9 p.m. on WPSU-TV. View release...

2.1.2007
BOOK DRIVE TO BENEFIT LOCAL CHILDREN
WPSU-TV and RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) of Centre County are teaming up to sponsor the Have a Heart Book Drive to benefit local summer reading programs for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The drive will run throughout the month of February with drop-off locations throughout Centre County. View release...

1.30.2007
"MUSIC FROM PENN STATE" PREMIERES ON WPSU-TV
Bright lights, big smiles and grand local performances await the audience of "Music from Penn State," a series created by WPSU-TV in collaboration with Penn State's Schools of Music and Theatre. The series highlights various musical groups and performers to showcase the high-quality performance happening at Penn State. Installments air Thursdays at 9 p.m. with encore broadcasts on Sundays at 7 p.m. during the month of February. View release...

1.29.2007
WPSU CONNOISSEUR'S DINNER AND AUCTION RAISES MORE THAN $42,000
More than 300 guests came to The Nittany Lion Inn to sample Italian cuisine for the 15th Annual WPSU Connoisseurs Dinner and Auction Saturday. PBS guest chef for this year's fundraiser was Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, host of "Lidia's Family Table," seen at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays on WPSU-TV. View release...

1.11.2007
BAYOU STATE'S MULTI-CULTURAL FOODS IMMIGRATE TO PENNSYLVANIA FOR WPSU-TV'S 16TH ANNUAL CONNOISSEUR'S DINNER
PBS Chef John Folse, host of "A Taste of Louisiana with Chef John Folse & Company: Our Food Heritage," brings the secrets of Cajun and Creole cooking to the 16th Annual Connoisseur's Dinner and Auction. This benefit for WPSU-TV will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College. Tickets are $180 per person, $68 of which is a tax-deductible gift to WPSU. Reservations for the event can be made by calling 814-863-6635, or e-mailing conndinner@psu.edu. For more information about Folse, the menu and reservations, visit wpsu.org/conndinner. The deadline for reservations is January 25. View release...

12.4.2006
AUCTION, CELEBRITY CHEF AND ITALIAN CUISINE HIGHLIGHT 15TH ANNUAL WPSU CONNOISSEUR'S DINNER
PBS chef Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, host of "Lidia's Family Table," brings her hearty and heartwarming Italian fare to the 15th annual WPSU Connoisseur's Dinner and Auction, beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 in the at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College. Tickets are $175 per person, $70 of which is a tax-deductible gift to WPSU. Reservations for the event can be made by calling 814-863-6635 or writing to conndinner@psu.edu. More information about Bastianich, the menu and reservations, visit wpsu.org/conn07. The deadline for reservations is January 19, 2007. View release...

11.28.2006
FRIENDLY FOLKS OF ROARING SPRING ON WPSU-TV
Community members from Roaring Spring ventured out into the community this fall, cameras in hand, to tell the story of their hometown. The production, "Our Town: Roaring Spring" will premiere at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14 on WPSU-TV, with an encore broadcast at 9:30 p.m. View release...

11.27.2006
WPSU-TV HIGHLIGHTS MEMBERSHIP DRIVE WITH MUSIC
Staff and volunteers for central Pennsylvania’s public television station, WPSU-TV, will appeal directly to loyal viewers this December with plans to raise $100,000 in contributions from new and current members. The on-air membership drive is a key part of the station’s annual fundraising efforts for this budget year—which began July 1, 2006 and ends June 30, 2007—to raise more than $1.2 million from businesses and individuals that offsets the station’s programming and operational expenses. WPSU-TV will highlight the drive with a wide variety of music productions. View release...

11.27.2006
PRESIDENT OF ISLAMIC SOCIETY AT NEXT WPSU COMMON GROUND LOBBY TALK
The public is invited to “A Conversation with Ingrid Mattson,” president of the Islamic Society of North America on Wednesday, December 6, at 3:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Outreach Building in Innovation Park. This Common Ground Lobby Talk, hosted by Penn State Public Broadcasting in partnership with the Institute for the Arts and Humanities, will be moderated by WPSU's Patty Satalia. It is free and open to the public. View release...

11.27.2006
"OUR TOWN: PORT ALLEGANY" PREMIERES ON WPSU-TV
Community members from Port Allegany ventured out into the community this fall, cameras in hand, to tell the story of their hometown. The production, "Our Town: Port Allegany" will premiere at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7 on WPSU-TV, with an encore broadcast at 9:30 p.m. View release...

11.14.2006
WPSU THANKS THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR DONATING MORE THAN 5,300 SWEATERS IN THE "MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD" SWEATER DRIVE
More than 5,300 sweaters were donated during WPSU-TV's "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" Sweater Drive, which concluded at the beginning of November. In cooperation with the Salvation Army, the drive was organized by WPSU as an opportunity for the region to provide warmth to others—a tribute to Fred Rogers and his example of being a caring neighbor. View release...

11.10.2006
"MUSLIMS IN AMERICA" THEME OF NEXT WPSU COMMON GROUND TALK
Penn State Public Broadcasting, in partnership with its Public Service Media Study Group, will offer a "Common Ground Lobby Talk" called "Muslims in America" at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15 held in the lobby of the Outreach Building in Innovation Park. WPSU, in collaboration with Penn State's Institute for the Arts and Humanities, invites members of the community to join in this open forum, which will explore what it is like to be Muslim in central Pennsylvania in a post- 9/11 world. View release...

11.2.2006
SPECIAL VETERANS DAY PROGRAM ON WPSU-TV
Veterans from across America perform in a live stage show at the 2006 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival from Rapid City, South Dakota. The variety show features vocal and instrumental music, choral selections, and dance and drama acts performed by veterans who are receiving or have received treatment at Veterans Affairs hospitals nationwide. The stage show will be condensed into a one-hour program, which will air at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11 on WPSU-TV as a special Veteran's Day tribute. View release...

10.30.2006
PLAIN PEOPLE OF PENNSYLVANIA TO BE DISCUSSED AT PENN STATE PUBLIC BROADCASTING COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
Penn State Public Broadcasting and Research/Penn State's Research Unplugged series are hosting a Common Ground Lobby Talk called "Plain People of Pennsylvania" at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6 in the lobby of the Outreach Building in Innovation Park. Members of the community are invited to join in this open forum, which will explore the beliefs and traditions of the complex cultures of Old Order Mennonite, Amish and Brethren folk. View release...

10.30.2006
WPSU-FM '5-DAY DRIVE' A SUCCESS IN FOUR DAYS
WPSU-FM’s fall on-air pledge drive concluded successfully on Sunday afternoon -- just four days into an already reduced five day drive. The drive concluded with over $143,000 in contributions and pledges. View release...

10.16.2006
"THE ALLEGHENY FRONT" ON WPSU-FM
"The Allegheny Front," a program exploring environmental issues, will air now air twice a week on WPSU-FM at 7 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Sundays. The program covers various environmental topics that affect the community through stories, interviews, news, and commentaries. View release...

10.16.2006
MORE THAN EIGHTY SCHOOLS COMPETE IN "SCHOLASTIC SCRIMMAGE" ON WPSU-TV
More than 80 central Pennsylvania high schools will compete in the 2006-2007 season of WPSU-TV's fast-paced production of "Scholastic Scrimmage." Premiering October 21 at 6 p.m. on WPSU-TV, "Scholastic Scrimmage" is broadcast weekly Saturdays and Sundays at 6 p.m. The academic quiz bowl is now in its fourth season. View release...

10.11.2006
WPSU'S "GREAT TEACHERS" CONTEST NOW ACCEPTING ESSAYS
Class, take out a sheet of paper and a pencil—it's time to start writing your essays. WPSU's ninth annual "Great Teachers: Making A Difference Essay Contest" is sending out the call for entries on Oct. 16, and will accept entries through Dec. 1. Students in grades three through 12 can nominate their teacher by submitting an essay on why their teacher is exceptional. The contest is co-sponsored by WPSU and the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA). View release...

10.3.2006
WPSU-FM LAUNCHES 5-DAY PLEDGE DRIVE
Each morning, thousands of people tune in to "Morning Edition" on WPSU-FM during their commute to work. But several times a year, the programming is interrupted by an on-air membership campaign. Believing that there might be a better way to raise money to support the station and its programming, WPSU-FM is reducing its on-air pledge drive by half—from 10 days to five and challenging listeners to respond. View release...

9.15.2006
WPSU-TV'S "A ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE" WINS MID-ATLANTIC EMMY AWARD
In an awards ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 9 in Philadelphia, WPSU-TV was recognized with a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for its production, "LifeLink PSU: A Road to Independence." Winning in the documentary category, the program traces the individual stories of a group of high school students with special educational needs participating in college classes as they work toward independence. The program will air this Sunday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. on WPSU-TV and is currently being distributed to PBS stations nationally through American Public Television (APT). View release...

9.15.2006
WPSU HOSTS OPEN HOUSE FOR THE COMMUNITY
WPSU along with Mr. McFeely and the Purple Panda from Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Curious George are hosting an Open House on Saturday, September 23. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the community is invited to join in the fun and festivities at the Outreach Building in Innovation Park. Attendees can take self-guided tours for a behindthe- scenes look of the television and radio studios as well as walk away with great WPSU giveaways. View release...

9.15.2006
LOCAL FAMILY ENDOWS A DAY OF PROGRAMMING ON WPSU-TV
For the next decade, Sept. 16 will be recognized on WPSU-TV as the day that the Zimmerman family endowed 24 hours of public television. This Saturday marks the first of the ten endowed days to come in the next decade that have been provided for thanks to the Zimmerman's contribution to the Endow-A-Day campaign. The Endow-A-Day program helps Penn State Public Media create a permanent endowment to build a legacy of quality programming for central Pennsylvania. View release...

9.11.2006
HUNTINGDON COUNTY ENDOWS A DAY OF PROGRAMMING ON WPSU-TV
For the next decade, WPSU-TV will recognize Sept. 20, the date on which Huntingdon County was established in 1787, as the day that generous residents of Huntingdon County endowed 24 hours of public programming on WPSU-TV. Huntingdon County will celebrate its day of programming in a special event for donors and friends of WPSU, to be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14 at The Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts at Juniata College. The Endow-ADay program helps Penn State Public Media create a permanent endowment to build a legacy of quality programming for central Pennsylvania. View release...

8.22.2006
ADULT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR RURAL STUDENT PEN PAL PROGRAM
One letter per month for seven months, multiplied by 200 students and 200 adults equals a world of difference. Two hundred students in the Bald Eagle Area School District and 200 adults from central Pennsylvania will be paired together with the help of Penn State Public Broadcasting's educational services unit for a pen pal program to help improve literacy skills in rural school districts. View release...

8.1.2006
ALL THINGS PENNSYLVANIA ON WPSU TV/FM THROUGHOUT AUGUST
From family reunions at the Grange Fair to Little League playoff games in Williamsport to ice cream at the Penn State Creamery, central Pennsylvania is home to many summertime traditions, and WPSU is highlighting them throughout August. View release...

7.26.2006
WPSU-TV BROADCASTS "SIGNING TIME!"
The multi-sensory series "Signing Time!," premiering Sunday, July 30, at 7:30 a.m. on WPSU-TV, introduces children and their parents to ASL (American Sign Language), an empowering “hands on” second language used by millions. Songwriter and musician Rachel Coleman, her daughter Leah (who is deaf), Alex (Leah’s cousin, who can hear) and their animated pet frog Hopkins, teach hundreds of ASL vocabulary-building signs that are useful in daily life. Throughout the series, children learn signs for first words, family members, animals, the alphabet, feelings, manners, foods, everyday objects and activities. "Signing Time!" also makes learning sign language easy and fun for the whole family as each episode features charming animation and delightful original songs. View release...

7.7.2006
CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG AT AREA ARTS FESTIVALS
Central Pennsylvania will be a sea of Clifford the Big Red Dog ears as children meet and hug Clifford the Big Red Dog and make their very own red Clifford ears at local arts festivals with WPSU TV/FM. The station will bring Clifford, crafts to make big red ears, coloring activities and balloons to the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts for Children's Day on Wednesday, July 12 and to the People's Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts on Saturday, July 15. View release...

2.24.2006
WPSU-TV PRODUCTION EXAMINES INNOVATIVE COLLEGE PROGRAM FOR DISABLED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
The process of transitioning from high school to life in the "real world" can be a challenging experience for anyone, and the transition can be even more overwhelming for high school students coping with physical, social, or learning disabilities. "LifeLink PSU: A Road to Independence" is a new documentary produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting that airs Friday, February 24 at 10 p.m. on WPSU-TV. The film explores the Penn State LifeLink program designed to ease the transition for students with disabilities from high school to collegiate life. The documentary follows a group of students as they cope with taking classes, living independently, interviewing for jobs and more. View release...