Onward State has grown to be more than simply Penn State’s blog.

Since publishing our first post on November 17, 2008, Onward State has established itself as one of the quickest and most informative places for access to Penn State and State College community content produced by Penn State student writers.

What began as a small group of innovative Penn State freshmen has grown into an editorial team of writers, photographers, videographers, and editors, who work to produce content that is interesting and relevant. Onward State harnesses the power of social media not only to share content rapidly, but also to get a pulse for the Penn State student body. As evidenced by its rapid presence at Penn State, in May 2011, Onward State formed a partnership with StateCollege.com, a successful regional news and media company.

Onward State in the News

Onward State has received national recognition on a number of occasions.

In February 2009, the U.S. News & World Report’s Paper Trail Blog included Onward State in its annual Best of College Newspapers competition. Competing against older sites such as Bwog and Wesleying in the Best Alternative Media Outlet category, Onward State ended up claiming the title.  Established Penn State newspaper, The Daily Collegian, covered the award.

In January 2010, the Chronicle of Higher Education profiled Onward State.
Later in January 2010, Onward State won the Best Alternative Media Outlet a second time.

In March 2010, the blog Mashable illustrated how Onward State and its dissimilarities with the established Daily Collegian typify the old/new media divide emerging on University campuses and elsewhere. The Huffington Post College Page further addressed the blog.

College Media Matters has also written about Onward State on several occasions.