Hello, and welcome to the latest episode of our campus news podcast. Today is Monday, August 11, 2025, and we have several important updates from Penn State University. Penn State University Park is set to revamp its New Student Orientation (NSO) program for 2025. The updated program will separate academic advising and course registration from the in-person orientation, allowing for a more streamlined process. Students will complete online modules and meet with academic advisers virtually before attending the on-campus orientation, which will focus on community-building activities. This change aims to accommodate the growing number of incoming students and enhance their onboarding experience. In a significant decision, Penn State's Board of Trustees has approved the closure of seven Commonwealth campuses by the end of the 2026-2027 academic year. The campuses affected are DuBois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York. This move comes in response to declining enrollments and financial challenges. The university plans to support current students, faculty, and staff during this transition period. Beaver Stadium is undergoing major renovations aimed at enhancing the fan experience and expanding the venue's usability year-round. The project, approved by the Board of Trustees, includes updates to infrastructure, seating, and facilities to accommodate a wider range of events beyond football games. The renovations are expected to be completed before the 2027 college football season. The Penn State Nittany Lions women's volleyball team is gearing up for the 2025 season under the leadership of fourth-year head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. As the defending NCAA champions, the team is set to begin their season with matches against Creighton and Kansas later this month. Fans are eagerly anticipating another strong performance from the team. Penn State has announced the launch of the National Security Institute, a research center dedicated to enhancing contributions to defense and national security. The institute will focus on areas such as infrared-signal and radiation detection, energy storage, and robotics and aerospace technologies development and manufacturing. This initiative aims to position Penn State as a leader in national security research. The university has received substantial estate gifts aimed at supporting various programs. Burl Burleigh, a 1970 graduate, has left his entire estate to bolster undergraduate scholarships in the College of Agricultural Sciences. Additionally, an anonymous alumnus from the 1960s has pledged an $8.5 million estate commitment to the Department of Chemical Engineering, funding multiple initiatives to support the growth of students and faculty. Dr. Réka Albert, a professor of physics and biology at Penn State, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences for her work in network science. Her research provides new insights into complex systems, impacting fields such as medicine, environmental science, and public health. Dr. Albert's election brings Penn State's representation in the academy to 26 members. William and Wendy Korb, both 1962 graduates, have made a $565,000 gift to Penn State Behrend's School of Engineering. The endowment will support research initiatives, innovative teaching approaches, and professional development opportunities for faculty and staff. In recognition of their generosity, the lobby of the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Center has been named the Korb Family Atrium. Pennsylvania Senator Elder Vogel Jr. has been honored with the Friend of Penn State Legislative Award for his strong support of the university, particularly in areas related to agriculture and rural health initiatives. Senator Vogel's dedication to advancing higher education in Pennsylvania has been recognized as a significant contribution to the university's mission. That's all for today's episode. Stay tuned for more updates on campus events and news.