We came, we voted, and we won. After tallying thousands of votes, the national chapter named Penn State’s Net Impact chapter as the nation’s No. 1 undergraduate program.

Voting opened up in mid-August as three programs were nominated in the category — the chapters in Indiana’s Kelley School of Business, New York University’s Stern School of Business, and Penn State’s Smeal College of Business. The latter won the national vote by a slim margin. A total of 16,889 votes were cast, as NYU’s chapter received 1,542 votes (9.12 percent), Indiana received 7,565 votes (44.77 percent), and Penn State received 7,792 votes (46.11 percent).

In addition to the popular vote, the decision was reached through the opinions of three judges, who agreed that the Nittany Lions were the best of the best.

The chapter’s website explains that the group’s mission is to “inspire, educate, and equip individuals to use the power of business to create a more socially and environmentally sustainable world.” Last spring, it held a Corporate Citizenship Conference, featuring leaders from some of the nation’s most recognizable companies.

Congratulations to Penn State’s Net Impact, the nation’s best and most deserving.

About the Author

Doug Leeson

Doug is a sophomore and Onward State's Assistant Managing Editor. Dislikes: popcorn, Rutgers, and a low #TimberCount. Likes: "Frozen," Rec Hall, and you. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @DougLeeson.