Today marks the last day of classes, making this the perfect time to reflect on another school year behind us. In a year full of football, computer-incompetent ITS employees, and even a snow day, we decided to wrap it all up so nothing is forgotten. Don’t be afraid to get nostalgic either: I think we’ll all remember where we were the day Joe Paterno got his wins back.

So step into the time machine with us as we relive the 2014-2015 school year here in Happy Valley.

Penn State Takes Down UCF Across The Pond

Saturday, August 30

Kickin’ Sam Ficken and the Nittany Lions started off the 2014 season with a thrilling 26-24 victory in Dublin, Ireland. After a dominating first half, Penn State fell behind UCF with 1:13, but with a taste of what to expect the rest of the season, Ficken hit a 36-yard field goal as the clock struck zero to give Penn State a pristine 1-0 record.

Bowl Ban Lifted, Scholarships Reinstated, Students Celebrate

Monday, September 8

After George Mitchell’s second annual report to the NCAA on Penn State’s compliance, the NCAA announced Penn State will again be bowl eligible, and all scholarships will be restored by the end of the 2015-16 school year as a result of Penn State’s compliance and integrity. Later that day, the Big Ten also announced that Penn State would be eligible to compete in the Big Ten Championship.

Later that night, students clad in white gathered at Old Main lawn and eventually progressed to Beaver Stadium and Beaver Ave. to celebrate the announcement.

 

Peaceful, spirited rallies take place.

 Brief Burrito Hiatus

Wednesday, September 10

In quite possibly the most tragic event all year, Chipotle was closed for part of a day after employees claimed “borderline sweatshop conditions.” Though four managers quit, the Mexican chain restaurant was closed for less than six hours.

HUB Shooting Threat Posted On Yik Yak

Sunday, October 12

After a HUB shooting threat was posted on the anonymous social media app Yik Yak, police went on high alert to both find the culprit and protect students. Though the student who posted the threat said it was just a “prank,” he was charged with misdemeanor counts of terrorist threats and disorderly conduct.

Snapchat’s Campus Story Takes Over Penn State’s Smartphones

Thursday, October 16

Snapchat chose Penn State (and three other schools) to test out its new Campus Story, allowing students on campus to submit to a Snapchat “channel” that can only be seen by others on campus. Whether you love it or hate it, every student who has the app has likely watched (and/or tried to get on) the Campus Story at least once. Though at times it can be a little predictable, there’s no disputing that it’s a convenient, cool way to see what others are up to around campus.

A Rollercoaster Of A White Out Game 

Saturday, October 25

In a thrilling overtime White Out classic, Penn State lost to the eventual NCAA-Champion Ohio State Buckeyes 31-24, thanks to a couple of shitty calls calls plagued with controversy. Though the game itself ultimately ended with a tally in the “L” column, Beaver Stadium was radiating, as a #107kstrong White Out crowd registered in at 111 (!) decibels to put more than a little tremble in the Buckeyes’ cleats.

Students React To Ferguson Decision, Stage “Die-Ins”

Tuesday, December 2

In response to the happenings in Ferguson, Mo., namely the non-indictment of police officer Darren Wilson, students demonstrated “die-ins,” similar to the sit-ins of the civil rights movement, wherein participants laid on the ground floor of the HUB, causing pedestrian traffic jams. The next day, students took the protest to Old Main, where President Barron joined for a controversial photo-op in the “hands up, don’t shoot” pose.

Women’s Volleyball National Champs (Again)

Saturday, December 20

Russ Rose’s Women’s Volleyball team won it’s second straight national championship with a sweep over unranked BYU. The victory, which was also the team’s sixth national championship in eight years as well as it’s record-breaking seventh all time, came as a great conclusion to a 36-3 season lead by AVCA National Player of the Year Micha Hancock.

Nittany Lions Win The Pinstripe Bowl

 

Saturday, December 27

With the bowl ban lifted and a 6-6 record, Penn State earned a trip to New York City to take on Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl. In Penn State’s first bowl victory since 2009, the Nittany Lions beat the Eagles in dramatic fashion, winning 31-30 in overtime, again thanks to a clutch extra point from Sam Ficken as well as Hackenberg’s four touchdown passes.

Joe Paterno’s Wins Restored To 409

Friday, January 16

In a settlement agreement that resulted from Senator Jake Corman and Treasurer Rob McCord’s lawsuit filled against the NCAA, the 112 vacated wins were restored, again making Joe Paterno the winningest college football coach in history with 409 victories. In addition, the NCAA agreed to keep the $60 million fine in the state of Pennsylvania to benefit victims of child sexual abuse. Students, players, and Penn State fans alike rejoiced, setting the semester off to an exciting and prideful start.

 Mike Waite Replies All

Sunday, February 15

Inboxes everywhere (literally the entire Timely Warning LISTSERV) got a little more full one Sunday night when ITS employee Mike Waite replied all to a Timely Warning mass e-mail regarding a forcible sexual assault, saying that he wanted to unsubscribe from such non-important messages. According to Waite, a forcible sex offense is not a message deemed important enough for him to receive.

THON 2015 Raises $13,026,653.23 FTK  

Friday, February 20 to Sunday, February 22

A whopping 708 dancers stood for 46 hours in the fight against pediatric cancer as part of the 2015 IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, and though the overall total was a decrease from 2014, the annual philanthropic effort left no reason for disappointment. The 2015 theme, Empower the Dreamers, was materialized throughout Penn State and State Coll…err, the City of THON as the magical weekend at the BJC was highlighted by performances, special appearances, and Four Diamonds feels. Even a recap of everything that happened at THON would be too lengthy, so check out our best features of THON as well as our extensive coverage of every little sight and sound that happened throughout the inspiring weekend.

 

The 2015 Line Dance (which gets stuck in my head anytime I hear “woop,” “Primanti Bros.,” or “BJC.”)

Keith Olbermann Hates On THON, Penn State

Monday, February 23

What would the 2014-15 school have been without the ever-loving and supportive Keith Olbermann? After students raised over $13 million at THON, Olbermann took to Twitter to call the students of Penn State “pitiful.” Due to his social media antics, the ESPN host was temporarily suspended, though he was forced to did eventually apologize.

The “New HUB” Opens

Monday, March 2

The HUB expansion project finally opened after what seemed to be an eternity, offering new dining, studying, and seating options for students, most notably the giant, “High School Musical”-esque grand staircase. Additionally, this opening brought the book store off of the HUB lawn into its more spacious and permanent home.

Early Dismissal AND A Snow Day

Tuesday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 4

A regular old day of State College freezing over turned into the days that hell, too, froze over, as students, faculty, and staff were dismissed when the university closed early on Tuesday at 4 p.m. and remained closed for a snow day on Wednesday. Considering that Penn State is notorious for not handing out free snow days (let alone two days back-to-back) this occurrence is one that will be remembered likely forever.

Kappa Delta Rho In Hot Water Over Private Facebook Group

Sunday, March 15

Kappa Delta Rho was placed on full-chapter suspension and subject to national media attention after police discovered private Facebook pages containing images of nude women, many of whom appeared to be passed out or sleeping. Though the case is still under review from both police and the university, the story drew a large public outcry, as did comments from a brother of KDR defending the fraternity and its actions.

Greg Drane Announced As New Blue Band Director

Monday, March 23

After nearly two decades of a Blue Band under the direction of Richard Bundy, Penn State alum Greg Drane was selected as the next leader of the best collegiate marching band in the United States. Drane, who beat out two other finalists for the position, has served as Blue Band assistant director to Bundy since 2005.

Emily McDonald Takes Office

Wednesday, April 1

Emily McDonald, along with vice president-elect and running mate Terry Ford, won the race for president of UPUA’s tenth assembly by collecting a whopping 64.3 percent of the record number of votes.

But Wait, There’s More

Though today is the last day of classes, the year is still not quite finished with us yet. Movin’ On will take over the IM fields tonight, headlined by Passion Pit and Big Sean, and Frat Formal Friday will see couples emerge dressed in their best.

The year will finally come to a close as everyone moves out next week and the seniors walk across the stage at graduation to receive their well-earned Penn State diplomas.

What was your favorite moment of the 2014-2015 Penn State academic year? Whether or not it made our list, let us know in the comments.