The View from Number Two: Promise, Peril, and Joy in the Journey
Penn State football hasn’t seen a number this small next to its name this early for a very long time.
The Nittany Lions open the 2025 season ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press preseason poll, a first for the program, which last reached the two-spot in October of 2017, only to lose it weeks later in Columbus. In terms of the preseason, State has not been rated this highly since the ill-fated 1999 team began the year ranked third. Perhaps even more striking than the ranking itself is the number of first-place votes awarded to the Lions (23), only two shy of No. 1 Texas! This show of faith from the nation’s voters that James Franklin’s squad belongs near the top of college football is both a compliment and a burden.
Maker Faire Happy Valley: Where Curiosity Meets Community
Happy Valley has always been a place where people turn ideas into reality — where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is valued, and making things with your own hands still matters. This September, that spirit will be on full display at Maker Faire Happy Valley, a two-day celebration of invention, learning, and community connection.
At the heart of it all are Discovery Space and The Rivet, two organizations that believe opportunities to explore and create should be open to everyone.
True Grit, Real Glory—Penn State’s Adaptive Athletes Redefine What It Means to Compete
Saturday night, in a chandeliered ballroom of the Nittany Lion Inn, something quietly revolutionary happened.
While stories from Joe Paterno’s storied 1966 recruiting class flowed with ease and humor—Hall of Famer Lydell Mitchell, Chuck Burkhart, Moose Koegel, and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Mike Reid shared laughter, legacy, and lessons—the night’s true heartbeat belonged to a new generation of Penn Staters. A generation of athletes whose names you might not know yet, but whose courage and grit are writing the next chapter of Penn State history.
The Torch Is Now Theirs—And They’re Carrying It Boldly
In a time when college athletics are shifting rapidly—more professional than amateur, more transactional than transformational—it’s easy to forget the foundations that once made college sports a proving ground not just for talent, but for character.
It’s easy, that is, unless you’re Sue Paterno or Dana Dokmanovich Harris.
Foundations: Building a Penn State Sports Legacy
At the Nittany Lion Inn | Saturday, July 26 at 7 PM
What does the name Mike Reid mean to you?
Grammy Award-winning songwriter. Concert pianist. Penn State All-American. NFL Pro.
On July 26, he returns to where it all began—for one unforgettable night.
Be entertained by Penn State’s own Mike Reid — the embodiment of the “Grand Experiment.”
Teammates for Life—and the Power of Showing Up
Charlene Morett-Curtiss—Penn State legend, two-time Olympian, and lifelong mentor—joined us for our first Connecting the Dots Community Conversation.
From Saloon to Soul: How Manny’s Became Happy Valley’s Most Surprising New Cultural Force
In a town known for football Saturdays and late-night bar crawls, something quietly revolutionary is happening on Hiester Street.
Legislative Breakfast Highlights Key Issues Impacting Happy Valley
The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) hosted its annual Legislative Breakfast on March 20 at Toftrees Golf Resort, bringing together 150 business and community leaders for direct dialogue with elected officials. The event, part of CBICC’s Voice of Business series, focused on policy, economic development, and infrastructure priorities shaping Centre County.
Upcoming conference celebrates women entrepreneurship, connection
“We want to build connections and have women leave feeling empowered.” Snag your spot now for a brand-new, women-focused conference presented by the Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank.
