March / April 2021 cover: Mike Croce and Jeff Sorg
March / April 2021

Meet Them At the Corner, On the road with Muhammad Ali, Deb Kelly's Innovative Cancer Research,

Features

A View to a Cure

Backed by a world-class facility, researcher Deb Kelly is making strides toward a breakthrough in the fight against breast cancer.
Mark Roth

Turning a Corner

The new alumni owners of Hotel State College and Co. knew they’d have their hands full balancing respect for tradition and long-overdue updates to the iconic downtown business. They didn’t know they’d have to cope with a pandemic, too.
Robyn Passante '95 Com

Stepping Into the Storm

In the midst of electoral unrest, government corruption, and a divided populace, Peru turned to Francisco Sagasti, a career academic who hoped to provide a steadying hand as the country’s president.
Michael Weinreb '94 Com

The Champ Is Here

In 1969, Muhammad Ali was one of the most famous—and most polarizing—people on the planet. As a handful of  Penn State students discovered one memorable night that spring, the once and future heavyweight champ was also unguarded, accessible, and fascinating company on a road trip.
Ryan Jones '95 Com

Campus Life

Everyday People

After Shannon Thaler’s sophomore year of high school, a representative from a New York City modeling agency contacted her after seeing one of her Instagram photos.

Sports

Goals Aplenty

The commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League says she developed confidence at Penn State.
Mark Wogenrich '90 Com

The Right Angle

Grae Buck ’12 Agr never thought he’d be able to make a career out of fishing. He was wrong.
Michael Weinreb '94 Com

Faculty Expertise

Top Marks

The U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 Best Online Programs rankings placed Penn State World Campus in the top 10 of five graduate degree disciplines and the bachelor’s degree category—the most of any institution.

From the Editor

Eyes Wide Open

The first meeting of Chris Beem’s spring seminar took place on Jan. 19, the day before the presidential inauguration. It seemed as good a time as any to kick off a class discussing the health and stability of global democracy.

My Thoughts Exactly

Association News

Commitment to Diversity

Former Alumni association president Kevin Steele ’92 JD Law and his wife Tracy ’95 JD Law announced a $25,000 gift in December to create the Steele Family Leadership Program Educational Equity Scholarship at Dickinson Law.

New Members