Topics

More

150th Anniversary of First Classes at Penn State

The first classes at Penn State were held on February 16, 1859. Graham Spanier (or, rather, his people) produced a nice video commemorating the occasion.

Here are some of the most interesting things we learned.

Old Main used to have everything, including labs, classrooms, and even dormitories. Can you imagine being able to have a slumber party with Graham?

Early students were required to do 3 hours of farm labor every day and attend chapel every night.

o rly??? “Many of these early students had either been expelled or dropped out from other colleges.”

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Davis

Creator of @OnwardState. Big fan of sweaters.

Penn State Football Hires Colorado State’s Kashif Moore As Wide Receivers Coach

Moore coached Biletnikoff Award finalist Skyler Bell in 2025.

State College Police Department Releases Annual State Patty’s Warning

The department is sharing these rules and expectations in the hope that residents will “refrain from engaging in behaviors that violate the law or University policy.”

‘It’s A Full Circle Moment For Me’: Alum Nina Royer Finally Danced In THON 2026 After Working Behind The Scenes For Years

“I think this is such a beautiful way to cap off my THON experience.”

113kFollowers
68.5kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter
Other posts by Davis

Penn State and the Process of Life

To paraphrase Mark Twain: The reports of higher education’s death have been an exaggeration. American universities produce more research and relevant knowledge for the world at large than any other institutions I know of. Tuition may be too damn high, but over the long-run, undergraduate degrees are definitely worth the cost. But Penn State could be so much more. It used to be, I think.

Bonded in Blue, White, and Worry

43 Simmons