Oh wow, we’ve entered our Drew Allar year. Happy birthday to us!

Fifteen years ago, three freshmen in 43 Simmons Hall published “Rumor Mill,” a 29-word article, marking the start of Onward State on November 17, 2008.

Now, as Penn State’s student-run blog, we’ve published nearly 42,000 posts, gained more than 166,000 Twitter followers, gathered almost 59,000 friends on Instagram, and operate as the most-followed independent student media organization in the world.

Over the course of our 15-year history, Onward State has always been in the middle of anything and everything Penn State. We’ve covered plenty of stormy topics like the Sandusky Scandal and Tim Piazza’s death, and you might’ve learned about our coverage of Joe Paterno’s death in your COMM 260W class.

Through it all, our completely student-run staff is dedicated to telling the Penn State story above all else. We’ve done so through our coverage of THON, our analysis of Penn State football, the launch of our podcast, and so much more.

We hold ourselves accountable to ensure we’re generating honest conversation in the hope of enriching the Penn State community and experience. We have a whole lot of fun doing it, too.

Here’s to many more years of saying “folks” too much, receiving death threats over email, 409 jokes, April Fools’ pranks, and our one shared love of Dear Old State. We wouldn’t want it any other way.

For the blog, always. Thank you.

Before we let you go, let’s take a look back at 15 of our most notable posts from the past year. You should probably read them. It’s our birthday after all.

Podward State: Season 7, Episode 5 Ft. Relish Rachel & All-American Ashley

‘A Lot Of Ups’: Sean Clifford Says Goodbye With Rose Bowl Victory

[Photo Story] Penn State vs. Utah Rose Bowl

‘This Is Home’: Former THON Child Tucker Haas Dancing In THON 2023

‘Let’s Be One Family’: Micah Shrewsberry Calls For University-Wide Unity While Mulling Future At NCAA Tournament

Five-Star Bronny James Commits To Penn State Hoops

Sweet As Sue: Former Creamery Manager Shares The Full Scoop On 35 Years Of Service

Penn State Announces Intent To Extend Pepsi Contract Through 2033

Penn State Football Tight End Theo Johnson Charged With Assault

Carbonated Campus Coup: The 1993 Penn State ‘Coke-In’

Penn State Alumna Linda Yaccarino Named CEO Of Twitter

‘There’s No Downside To This’: Char Morett-Curtiss Leading Charge Toward Female Athletic Opportunities

Penn State Student Dies In Park Avenue Pedestrian Crash

Drew Allar Lives Up To Hype In Dazzling First Penn State Start

THON 2023 Raises $15,006,132.46 For The Kids