Spring 2025 NewsletterIn this Issue:
Greetings, Penn State Triangle Chapter Family!
As we step into a new chapter of 2025, we invite you to celebrate our journey so far by exploring the highlights and achievements shared in this newsletter.
A Fond Farewell and Heartfelt Thanks We extend our deepest gratitude to Robert Johnson for his remarkable three-and-a-half years of service as our Communications Chair. Robert’s dedication has greatly shaped our chapter, and while we’ll miss him, we wish him all the best as he embarks on an exciting new chapter as a weatherman at Philadelphia’s NBC station. Thank you, Robert, and good luck!
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for 2025
This achievement reflects the unwavering dedication and passion of our alumni community here in the Triangle. Thank you to every single one of you for making this possible.
We Are!
Food Donation DriveFood Donation Drive:
We are thrilled that our chapter did a call to action for their remarkable volunteer efforts and humanitarian contributions in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in Asheville, North Carolina. This dedicated group exemplifies the essence of service, stepping up when it mattered most.
Rising to the Challenge: A Summary of Efforts
Following Hurricane Helene’s impact on September 27, the Triangle Chapter took swift action to support recovery efforts in Asheville. Their commitment to aiding affected communities was nothing short of extraordinary:
The Triangle Chapter’s dedication in the face of adversity speaks volumes about the power of community and the Penn State spirit. The board is proud of the Triangle call to action in all the donations that poured in.
Membership Update
Do you know that the odds of randomly meeting a Penn State Alumnus in the Triangle Area are 876,600 times greater than your chances of buying a winning Powerball ticket? I’m going to try to forget this fact next time I invest in my Win the Lottery Retirement Fund. We have more than 5400 Penn State Alumni in the Triangle Region, of which more than 1200 are members of the Penn State Alumni Association (PSAA). Our local chapter has been recognized by the National Association with the Elm Level Group of Distinction. This is the highest level of recognition awarded and recognizes our chapter for efforts in career networking, social interaction, student support and THON-related and other philanthropic activities.
Our chapter provides numerous opportunities for connecting with other Penn Staters. Football watch parties are our most popular events with the total over 220 different people attending one or more games this season and an average attendance of 52 people per game. Our annual picnic is another well attended event with representatives of graduating classes spanning over eight decades attending. Other events include gatherings at Hurricanes and Durham Bulls games, ice cream socials, THON fundraisers and periodic meet and greets.
If you are an area alumnus who is not a PSAA member, you might wonder about the benefits of membership. On the top of that list may be career networking opportunities. At least two of our current Board members have found and landed new job opportunities with the help of connections made through the Alumni Association.
Some would argue that the subscription to the bimonthly Penn Stater magazine alone could justify the membership dues. It features articles about Penn State and past and current Penn Staters. Other alumni publications include the monthly AlumnInsider e-newsletter and one of my personal favorites, The Football Letter, delivered by email weekly during the football season. As I was composing this piece, I tried one of the benefits I had not used before – the Alumni Directory. It allowed me to connect with one of my classmates that I had fallen out of touch with since our graduation in 1980. We are now working on plans for an in-person reunion. There is a long list of other benefits that can be found HERE.
Perhaps the most compelling reason to become a member is to help ensure the health of our local chapter. With the new membership model that PSAA rolled out a couple of years ago, membership in PSAA also includes membership in your local chapter. It eliminated “local chapter only” membership, as well as the Triangle Chapter dues we used to collect. Now, PSAA provides our local chapter with funding based on the number of PSAA members we have in the region, so increased membership increases our funding.
If you are interested in becoming a member, it is easy to do so HERE. PSAA typically offers reduced membership rates a couple of times each year, usually around March Madness and Black Friday, and sometimes to celebrate special events such as the Women’s Volleyball Team National Championship. If you are planning to become a new member, my suggestion would be to watch for and take advantage of these discounts.
PSAA member or not, we welcome you as part of our Triangle Region Penn State Family and invite you to join us at any of our Chapter events.
THON/Philanthropy
What an incredible year for our THON fundraising efforts! Thanks to the dedication and generosity of our local alumni, we more than doubled our fundraising goal of $2,000, bringing in an amazing $3,969 to support THON’s mission in the fight against childhood cancer.
This success wouldn’t have been possible without the support of everyone who participated in our fundraising events:
Other Community Impact
This year, our alumni chapter also came together to make a meaningful impact in our local community through fundraising and hands-on volunteer efforts.
PSU Alumni Triangle Chapter Game Day Parties
What’s better than being at Beaver Stadium to watch our Nittany Lion Football team square off against its B1G rivals? Well, nothing is better than that, but when you live in the Triangle, it’s hard to be there for every game. So, what’s the next best thing for we in the Triangle to watch our team? Each game day in the fall, the Triangle Chapter hosts a game day watch party at Woody’s Sports Tavern in Morrisville.
We had vibrant attendance this fall, particularly for the big games. A few “Fun Facts:”
Here’s what to expect as you attend:
Social Events
We've had the privilege of hosting various happy hours and other social events throughout the year and there is even more to come!
PSU Alumni Coffee Meetup
We had a fantastic time at the PSU Alumni Coffee Meetup at Bad Cat Coffee in Morgan Street Food Hall! It was great to see familiar faces and welcome some alumni we haven't seen in awhile! The morning was filled with great conversations, networking, and, of course, delicious coffee.
Thank you to everyone who joined us—we love seeing our Penn State connections grow! If you missed this one, don’t worry—there will be more opportunities to connect soon. We look forward to seeing even more of you at our next event!
Carolina Hurricanes Hockey Game
We had a great time together at the Carolina Hurricanes Hockey game! Thank you to everyone who came out to connect. Look out for some more exciting opportunities this Spring to connect with PSU Alumni and enjoy some great sports in the Triangle!
Opportunity for PSU Alumni Small Business Owners
Calling All PSU Alumni Business Owners!
Are you a small business owner in the Triangle and a proud PSU Alumni? We want to feature you in our exclusive PSU Alumni Business Directory!
Share your business details with us, including:
Submit your details today by completing the form here!
- President's Message
- Food Donation Drive
- THON & Philanthropy
- Scholarship
- Social Events
Greetings, Penn State Triangle Chapter Family!
As we step into a new chapter of 2025, we invite you to celebrate our journey so far by exploring the highlights and achievements shared in this newsletter.
A Fond Farewell and Heartfelt Thanks We extend our deepest gratitude to Robert Johnson for his remarkable three-and-a-half years of service as our Communications Chair. Robert’s dedication has greatly shaped our chapter, and while we’ll miss him, we wish him all the best as he embarks on an exciting new chapter as a weatherman at Philadelphia’s NBC station. Thank you, Robert, and good luck!
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for 2025
- Meet and Greet with PSU Football Coaches: Save the date for Saturday, May 10th, as we host Ty Howle, Penn State’s Co-Offensive Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach, and Danny O’Brien, Quarterbacks Coach, as guest speakers. Both coaches bring a wealth of expertise and experience from their time on and off the field. The coaches will give a talk about Penn State football and answer any questions you may have. Stay for the food and raffle items!
- Alumni Leadership Conference: July 25th to 27th, our board members will attend the Alumni Leadership Conference at the University. This annual gathering provides a fantastic opportunity to connect with alumni chapters, groups, and societies nationwide. It also keeps us updated on the latest from the Alumni Association while equipping us with strategies to enhance our events and initiatives.
- Annual Picnic & Student Sendoff: Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 2nd! Join us for a day of fun and fellowship at our annual picnic and student sendoff. The cherry on top? There’s a very good chance you’ll be treated to Creamery ice cream!
- Game Watch Parties: This football season, we’re excited to return to Woody’s in Morrisville for our game watch parties. Be sure to check our website for details on upcoming events in 2025. Don’t miss Steve’s dedicated section for all the scoop on our game watch fun.
This achievement reflects the unwavering dedication and passion of our alumni community here in the Triangle. Thank you to every single one of you for making this possible.
We Are!
Food Donation DriveFood Donation Drive:
We are thrilled that our chapter did a call to action for their remarkable volunteer efforts and humanitarian contributions in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in Asheville, North Carolina. This dedicated group exemplifies the essence of service, stepping up when it mattered most.
Rising to the Challenge: A Summary of Efforts
Following Hurricane Helene’s impact on September 27, the Triangle Chapter took swift action to support recovery efforts in Asheville. Their commitment to aiding affected communities was nothing short of extraordinary:
- Immediate Response: On October 9, the chapter's leadership unanimously decided to allocate all ongoing fundraising proceeds to hurricane relief.
- Impactful Fundraising: They redirected funds from their traditional 50/50 raffle, raising $4,427 for the United Way of North Carolina. These efforts provided essential support to families in need.
- Food Contributions: In an inspiring move, the chapter also shifted their non-perishable food drive to support Asheville. The result? Over 600 pounds of food were donated during the football season, equating to an astonishing total contribution of 2.514 tons of food.
The Triangle Chapter’s dedication in the face of adversity speaks volumes about the power of community and the Penn State spirit. The board is proud of the Triangle call to action in all the donations that poured in.
Membership Update
Do you know that the odds of randomly meeting a Penn State Alumnus in the Triangle Area are 876,600 times greater than your chances of buying a winning Powerball ticket? I’m going to try to forget this fact next time I invest in my Win the Lottery Retirement Fund. We have more than 5400 Penn State Alumni in the Triangle Region, of which more than 1200 are members of the Penn State Alumni Association (PSAA). Our local chapter has been recognized by the National Association with the Elm Level Group of Distinction. This is the highest level of recognition awarded and recognizes our chapter for efforts in career networking, social interaction, student support and THON-related and other philanthropic activities.
Our chapter provides numerous opportunities for connecting with other Penn Staters. Football watch parties are our most popular events with the total over 220 different people attending one or more games this season and an average attendance of 52 people per game. Our annual picnic is another well attended event with representatives of graduating classes spanning over eight decades attending. Other events include gatherings at Hurricanes and Durham Bulls games, ice cream socials, THON fundraisers and periodic meet and greets.
If you are an area alumnus who is not a PSAA member, you might wonder about the benefits of membership. On the top of that list may be career networking opportunities. At least two of our current Board members have found and landed new job opportunities with the help of connections made through the Alumni Association.
Some would argue that the subscription to the bimonthly Penn Stater magazine alone could justify the membership dues. It features articles about Penn State and past and current Penn Staters. Other alumni publications include the monthly AlumnInsider e-newsletter and one of my personal favorites, The Football Letter, delivered by email weekly during the football season. As I was composing this piece, I tried one of the benefits I had not used before – the Alumni Directory. It allowed me to connect with one of my classmates that I had fallen out of touch with since our graduation in 1980. We are now working on plans for an in-person reunion. There is a long list of other benefits that can be found HERE.
Perhaps the most compelling reason to become a member is to help ensure the health of our local chapter. With the new membership model that PSAA rolled out a couple of years ago, membership in PSAA also includes membership in your local chapter. It eliminated “local chapter only” membership, as well as the Triangle Chapter dues we used to collect. Now, PSAA provides our local chapter with funding based on the number of PSAA members we have in the region, so increased membership increases our funding.
If you are interested in becoming a member, it is easy to do so HERE. PSAA typically offers reduced membership rates a couple of times each year, usually around March Madness and Black Friday, and sometimes to celebrate special events such as the Women’s Volleyball Team National Championship. If you are planning to become a new member, my suggestion would be to watch for and take advantage of these discounts.
PSAA member or not, we welcome you as part of our Triangle Region Penn State Family and invite you to join us at any of our Chapter events.
THON/Philanthropy
What an incredible year for our THON fundraising efforts! Thanks to the dedication and generosity of our local alumni, we more than doubled our fundraising goal of $2,000, bringing in an amazing $3,969 to support THON’s mission in the fight against childhood cancer.
This success wouldn’t have been possible without the support of everyone who participated in our fundraising events:
- 50/50 Halftime Collections – During our football watch parties, alumni rallied together, contributing to an exciting way to give back while cheering on the Nittany Lions.
- Heyday THON Fundraiser – We celebrated Penn State pride while raising critical funds to support THON and Four Diamonds families.
- Annual Online THON Auction – Our alumni came through once again with competitive bidding and generous donations, making this year’s auction one of our best yet!
Other Community Impact
This year, our alumni chapter also came together to make a meaningful impact in our local community through fundraising and hands-on volunteer efforts.
- Fundraising for a Cause: During our football watch parties, we hosted 50/50 halftime collections, raising funds donated to United Way in support of Hurricane Helene Relief.
- Hope Reins Volunteer Event: In September, we dedicated a Saturday morning to supporting Hope Reins, assisting with farm maintenance and improvements that help provide a healing environment for kids in crisis.
PSU Alumni Triangle Chapter Game Day Parties
What’s better than being at Beaver Stadium to watch our Nittany Lion Football team square off against its B1G rivals? Well, nothing is better than that, but when you live in the Triangle, it’s hard to be there for every game. So, what’s the next best thing for we in the Triangle to watch our team? Each game day in the fall, the Triangle Chapter hosts a game day watch party at Woody’s Sports Tavern in Morrisville.
We had vibrant attendance this fall, particularly for the big games. A few “Fun Facts:”
- Over the season, we had 832 Penn State fans come out.
- Highest attendance was 123 people. However, you can expect to see 50 to 75 people in Woody’s cheering their lungs out on any given game day.
Here’s what to expect as you attend:
- As a fan, alum or not, you’ll be welcomed into our Triangle Chapter family. Sit anywhere and get to know new people each week.
- Nearly every screen in the place will have the Penn State game on, so you always have a good view of the action.
- Free giveaways at the registration table
- Sign up for our weekly 50/50 raffle, the proceeds from which are split between the winner and the Chapter Scholarship Fund. Our scholarship fund provides a significant scholarship to a local student who has chosen to go to Penn State.
- Contribute to our food drive, serving the Urban Ministries food bank. Our efforts during the season typically result in the donation of a ton of food to this valuable community organization.
- Enjoy the halftime show, as we talk about Penn State trivia, remember our times there as students, and pay tribute to the institution that’s had such a big effect on all our lives. We have several drawings for Penn State logo gifts, a ticket for which is given to each alum in attendance.
- Woody’s, our host, loves having us there: great food and drink, friendly service, and a warm and inviting atmosphere.
- Lastly, even when it’s searing hot early in the season, or bitter cold late in the season, Woody’s is always warm, dry, and welcoming!
Social Events
We've had the privilege of hosting various happy hours and other social events throughout the year and there is even more to come!
PSU Alumni Coffee Meetup
We had a fantastic time at the PSU Alumni Coffee Meetup at Bad Cat Coffee in Morgan Street Food Hall! It was great to see familiar faces and welcome some alumni we haven't seen in awhile! The morning was filled with great conversations, networking, and, of course, delicious coffee.
Thank you to everyone who joined us—we love seeing our Penn State connections grow! If you missed this one, don’t worry—there will be more opportunities to connect soon. We look forward to seeing even more of you at our next event!
Carolina Hurricanes Hockey Game
We had a great time together at the Carolina Hurricanes Hockey game! Thank you to everyone who came out to connect. Look out for some more exciting opportunities this Spring to connect with PSU Alumni and enjoy some great sports in the Triangle!
Opportunity for PSU Alumni Small Business Owners
Calling All PSU Alumni Business Owners!
Are you a small business owner in the Triangle and a proud PSU Alumni? We want to feature you in our exclusive PSU Alumni Business Directory!
Share your business details with us, including:
- Business name
- Website
- Contact person
- Contact phone number
- Social Media Handles
- Brief description of your services
Submit your details today by completing the form here!
