2026 Schreyer Honors College Summer Medals Ceremony
LOCATION: Bryce Jordan Center,
REGISTRATION: RSVP,
The Schreyer Honors College summer 2026 Medals Ceremony will be held on Friday, August 14 at 5:00 p.m. in the 1855 Club of the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC). Please enter at the lower level, at the entrance facing the baseball field. Note that the BJC has a strict bag policy, so please remind your guests about that at https://bjc.psu.edu/bryce-jordan-center-bag-policy.
Friday, August 14, 2026, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM.
Books with the Dean: Murder on the Orient Express
Location: Zoom
Registration: Register for this and other sessions here!
Join the Schreyer Honors College for a fall literary read as part of our Books with the Dean series.
Join Dean Patrick Mather, current Scholars, and alumni of the Schreyer Honors College and Presidential Leadership Academy for an online book discussion.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Detective Hercule Poirot investigates a murder aboard a snowbound luxury train, uncovering a web of secrets and a shocking collective motive in this classic mystery.
Books with the Dean is organized in conjunction with the Scholar Alumni Society. .
Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Student Council Welcome Mixer
Location: Atherton Hall Courtyard,
Whether you are a new Scholar or returning Scholar, this event is the perfect chance to meet new people and reconnect with friends. Enjoy live music, food, and games while learning more about what Schreyer Student Council has planned for the year ahead.
We look forward to welcoming you and kicking off another great semester together!
For more details or questions, reach out to Krisha Patel at kap6539@psu.edu.
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Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Books with the Dean: The Anxious Achiever
Location: Zoom
Registration: Register for this and other sessions here!
Join the Schreyer Honors College for a fall leadershp read as part of our Books with the Dean series.
Join Dean Patrick Mather, current Scholars, and alumni of the Schreyer Honors College and Presidential Leadership Academy for an online book discussion.
The Anxious Achiever: Turn Your Biggest Fears into Your Leadership Superpower by Morra Aarons-Mele
Shows how anxiety can be transformed into a leadership strength through self-awareness, boundary-setting, and empathy, blending personal stories with expert insights.
Books with the Dean is organized in conjunction with the Scholar Alumni Society. .
Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Neighborhood Bash
Location: William A. Schreyer Courtyard-Atherton Hall 1st Floor Lobby and Grandfather Clock Lounge if inclement weather,
Get ready for an afternoon of fun and community at the Schreyer Neighborhood Bash. This event is open to all Scholars, so don't miss out on the chance to enjoy great food, play a variety of games, and engage in one of the first Neighborhood Bash's of the academic year.
Meet new friends and reconnect with old ones as you participate in this special time in the community! Whether you're competitive or just looking to relax, there's something for everyone. And don't worry about the weather! If the skies are less than friendly, we'll move the fun indoors to the Atherton Hall Lobby and Grandfather Clock Lounge, ensuring the event goes on without a hitch.
This is a perfect opportunity to kick off the semester, meet fellow Scholars, and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon.
If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Dierks at lqk5402@psu.edu.
Friday, August 28, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM.
Scholar Involvement Fair
Location: Atherton Hall Ground Floor Lobby,
All Scholars are invited to the All-Scholar Involvement Fair and join student leaders from the Schreyer Honors College to explore the many student organizations within Schreyer and discover how you can get involved, make connections, and shape your Scholar experience.
If you have any questions, please contact Rosanna Mersinger at rlm29@psu.edu.
Sunday, August 30, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Schreyer and Penn State Librarians Meet and Greet
Location: W043 Dewey Room, Pattee Library Meet in the Atherton Lobby at 4:40 to walk together or meet at the library,
Registration: RSVP Form,
Meet your Schreyer Honors College librarian and other college-specific librarians who can help you with all your research needs! A light dinner is provided. Penn State librarians will showcase the many services you can access at the Library! This event is great for new students who are not yet familiar with the library as well as students beginning their research journeys.
Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Rhonda Demchak at rrr11@psu.edu in advance of the program.
Thursday, September 3, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
First Year Scholar Academic Chat
Location: 134 HUB-Robeson Center,
Registration: RSVP Form Link,
Scholars are highly encouraged to attend this meeting that will inform them of their academic requirements, ensure that they know where to find all the necessary academic information, and introduce them to Associate Dean Laura Rotunno as well as Sarah Richards, their central contact for all Schreyer Honors College Academic Requirement questions. Lunch will be provided. ,
Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Rhonda Demchak at rrr11@psu.edu in advance of the program.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
Second-Year Scholar Academic Chat
Location: 134 HUB-Robeson Center,
Registration: RSVP Form Link,
Scholars are highly encouraged to attend this meeting that will inform them of their academic requirements, ensure that they know where to find all the necessary academic information, and introduce them to Associate Dean Laura Rotunno as well as Sarah Richards, their central contact for all Schreyer Honors College Academic Requirement questions. Lunch will be provided. ,
Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Rhonda Demchak at rrr11@psu.edu in advance of the program.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
Third-Year Scholar Academic Chat
Location: 233A HUB-Robeson Center,
Registration: RSVP Form Link,
Scholars are highly encouraged to attend this meeting that will inform them of their academic requirements, ensure that they know where to find all the necessary academic information, and introduce them to Associate Dean Laura Rotunno as well as Sarah Richards, their central contact for all Schreyer Honors College Academic Requirement questions. Lunch will be provided. ,
Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Rhonda Demchak at rrr11@psu.edu in advance of the program.
Thursday, September 10, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
Schreyer Alumni Connect: City Series (6 cities!)
Join Schreyer Honors College alumni at one of six networking & community building happy hours in major metro areas.
Light appetizers will be provided by the Scholar Alumni Society; drinks will be "buy on your own."
Cities include:
Boston, MA: TBA
, Chicago, IL: TBA
, New York, NY: Jack Doyle's
, Philadelphia, PA: Independence Beer Garden
, Pittsburgh, PA: Narcissi Winery
, Washington, DC: The Admiral
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All events will be at 6:00 p.m. local time.
Registration is required and spots are limited; please register here!
Thursday, September 10, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Arboretum Natural Lands Day of Service
Location: Penn State Arboretum, meet at Atherton Hall,
Registration: Schreyer Arboretum Natural Lands Day of Service – Fill out form,
Help our beautiful Arboretum thrive and meet other environmentally-minded Schreyer Scholars by volunteering for the Schreyer - Penn State Arboretum Natural Lands Day of Service. Volunteers will help provide trail maintenance, remove invasive plants, and install beneficial species.
Breakfast will be provided at Atherton Hall at 8 am. Volunteers will walk over as a group at 8:15 am. Please wear clothing that would be comfortable for working outside, including closed-toe shoes.
Registration required at the form above.
Saturday, September 12, 2026, 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Fourth-Year Scholar Academic Chats
Location: 233A HUB-Robeson Center,
Registration: RSVP Form Link,
Scholars are highly encouraged to attend this meeting that will inform them of their academic requirements, ensure that they know where to find all the necessary academic information, and introduce them to Associate Dean Laura Rotunno as well as Sarah Richards, their central contact for all Schreyer Honors College Academic Requirement questions. Lunch will be provided. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Rhonda Demchak at rrr11@psu.edu in advance of the program.
Monday, September 14, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
Distinguished Honors Faculty Program: Addressing the challenges in healthcare
Location: The Allen Street Grill,
Registration: RSVP FORM,
Join Dr. Yunfeng Shi and his colleague, Dr. Dennis Scanlon for a lively discussion over dinner at the Allen Street Grill. Dr. Scanlon is the Distinguished Professor of Health Policy & Administration, and the former Director of Center for Health Care Policy Research. He will share his decades of extensive experiences in working with the health care industry and provide insights into why (and how) health care can be highly relevant for your study and future work, regardless of your major.
Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Rhonda Demchak at rrr11@psu.edu in advance of the program.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Hike with the Dean: Coyler Lake
Location: Coyler Lake,
All Scholars are invited to join Dean Mather and the Schreyer Wellness Warriors for a hike at Coyler Lake. Transportation will be provided, pick-up will be at the Shortlidge bus stop in front of White building at 12:45 p.m.
If you plan to participate, please click the following RSVP link and RSVP by September 16: September Wellness Hike RSVP – Fill out form,
Just a reminder to wear appropriate hiking attire.
If you have any questions, please contact Shreya Bellum at sfb6198@psu.edu. .
Sunday, September 20, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Distinguished Honors Faculty Program: Stories from Research Abroad
Location: The Tavern Restaurant,
Registration: RSVP Form,
Deadline to Register: September 21, 2026,
LIMIT: 15,
Please Join Dr. Shomir Wilson over dinner at the Tavern Restaurant on September 23, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. as he shares from being a visiting researcher at three universities outside the US: Macquarie University in Australia, the National University of Singapore, and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Dr. Wilson's desire for adventures motivated each of the experiences, but they also became assets toward his career goals. Afterward, the group will discuss how to prepare strong applications for funded travel experiences, and how to extract value from rejections and uncertainty that sometimes follow.
Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Rhonda Demchak at rrr11@psu.edu in advance of the program.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Distinguished Honors Faculty Program: The unique conservation and human development challenges facing the Galápagos
Location: The Tavern Restaurant,
Registration: RSVP Form,
Deadline to Register: September 28, 2026,
The Galápagos Islands have long captivated the scientific imagination, serving as a crucible for foundational theories in evolutionary biology and the geosciences (Darwin, 1859). A Secret recipe of conditions and isolation from human presence has resulted in an extraordinarily high rate of endemism (i.e. organisms that exist nowhere else.) With human presence now escalating in the islands, the fundamental question guiding this DHFP Program is thus one that is relevant the world over -- how can we ensure the survival of biological diversity and unique endemic species as the human footprint on our planet continues to grow? Professor Carter Hunt and Doctoral Candidate Carolina Carrión invite Schreyer Scholars of all majors to discuss that very question. They are excited to help Scholars learn more about the Galápagos and bring their disciplinary training to bear on conversations about how best to…
Thursday, October 1, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Atherton Hall Red Cross Blood Drive
Location: Grandfather Clock Lounge, Atherton Hall,
Registration: Schedule a Blood, Platelet or Plasma Donation | American Red Cross,
Join us for a blood drive with the American Red Cross. Blood donations are a lifeline for trauma victims, patients with sickle cell disease, surgery patients, cancer patients, and many others. Give back to your community by giving blood and supporting the blood drive.
Even though not everyone qualifies to donate blood, everyone can volunteer to support the drive. If you would like to volunteer at the drive, please reach out to Ash Mayes at ashmayes@psu.edu.
Snacks will be provided. Plan for about an hour for your donation.
Please share this event with Schreyer scholars and non-Schreyer scholars alike! Registration for a donation appointment at the Red Cross website above is required.
Monday, October 5, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
Behind the Scenes with Thesis Supervisors
LOCATION: Donato Family Classroom, C-9 Atherton Hall
REGISTRATION: RSVP Form,
Scholars are invited to interact thesis supervisors from a variety of disciplines. They will answer your thesis-related questions and provide tips for how to approach professors with whom you want to work. They will talk about how to forge strong faculty and grad student relationships, and MUCH MORE! Dinner will be provided.
Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Rhonda Demchak at rrr11@psu.edu.
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Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Distinguished Honors Faculty Program: Walking with Ghosts
LOCATION: Penn State Erie (The Behrend College),
RSVP: RSVP Link,
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: Ocotber 5, 2026,
LIMIT: 15 Scholars,
For Penn State Erie Scholars, please join Dr. Sharon Gallagher for a Guided Tour of Erie. This tour is based on the fact that wherever people have lived, they have left something behind. Somtimes it is an artifact that has fallen to the ground and is awaiting discovery centuries later. It may also be a family heirloom passed down from one generation to the next. Often it is a story that sounds so fantastic that we doubt it but love it - and are plesantly surprised to learn that it did happen....and sometimes these stories are about ghosts.
Erie has an abundance of such stories, because it was the home for Native Americans, then in the 1750s the first Europeans made their way into the wilderness and to the shores of Lake Erie. On this walking tour through downtown Erie you will hear some of these stories of haunted places, legends of the lake, and a little history which…
Friday, October 9, 2026, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM.
Distinguished Honors Faculty Program: Code-switching
LOCATION: The Allen Street Grill,
REGISTRATION: Registration Form,
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: October 9, 2026,
Code-switching is one of the most fascinating concepts in linguistics and social science. It refers to the way people shift language, behavior, and identity depending on context. You already do this. You talk differently with your advisor than your roommates and carry yourself differently at a career fair than a tailgate. But have you stopped to examine why? Join Dr. Dan Isbell for a dinner conversation that uses music as a lens to introduce code-switching, then turns the focus to the experiences you bring to the table. Come ready to share your stories.
Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Rhonda Demchak at rrr11@psu.edu in advance of the program.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.