A new controversy has arrived, folks, and Penn State’s students and alumni deserve answers.

Earlier this month, economics professor Jadrian Wooten pointed out a strange discrepancy in the university’s logo. Is there a space between the words “Penn State,” or have we been fooled this entire time?

I have been at Penn State for 7 years now and am just now realizing that our branded marks have no space between the words "Penn State" pic.twitter.com/howrnuOYTU

— Jadrian Wooten (@Wootenomics) March 11, 2021

Penn State’s wordmark received a facelift back in August 2015 when it was updated to look like the one on the right. Personally, I like the one on the left better since it features the classic Nittany Lion Shrine and the year in which the university was founded, but that is neither here nor there.

Wooten is absolutely correct. In both logos, there is zero space between the last N in “Penn” and the S in “State.” With that in mind, have we pronouncing “Penn State” wrong this entire time?

Generally, when people pronounce Penn State, they put just a bit of time between the two words. That’s unless, of course, they’re your relatives who still think you go to “Penn,” but that’s a whole other discussion.

Has Penn State actually just been one word this whole time? If so, just about every piece of this school’s identity needs to change. Just imagine it: “We Are!…PennState.” It’d probably come out sounding something like “Penn’s Tate,” and that just isn’t right.

Look, I understand when you’re saying Penn State it can sound like one word. Everyone knows what you mean anyway, the school only has the nation’s largest dues-paying alumni association (we see you, Paul Clifford!). That doesn’t change the fact that we may have an identity crisis on our hands.

In his final year or so in office, I believe Penn State President Eric Barron has the responsibility to speak on his logo controversy. If “PennState” is actually one word, fine. We’ll need to deal with the consequences. If it isn’t, though, it may be time for a new shield with some better spacing.

Your move, Penn State, if that’s even what you’re really called.