So long, 2023.

This year had it all. From the Rose Bowl to the Peach Bowl with protests and parades in between, 2023 was packed with memorable and significant moments at Penn State.

Before the clock strikes midnight and the fireworks are set off, let’s look back at this year through the lens of our visual staff.

January: Roses? Smelt.

For the first time since 1995, the Nittany Lions were crowned champions of the Rose Bowl. Penn State defeated Utah 35-21 in the last-ever traditional Rose Bowl game, featuring a career game from quarterback Sean Clifford in his final outing in blue and white. The gunslinger recorded 16 completions for 279 yards and two touchdowns.

February: Dancing (For The Kids)

THON 2023 raised $15,006,132.46 For The Kids, a record total for the event. The 46-hour dance marathon was power-packed with dancing, singing, and celebrating to make the BJC ~boom~.

March: Dancing (In March Madness)

March featured a different kind of dancing. Penn State hoops returned to March Madness for the first time since 2011 on the backs of Jalen Pickett, Seth Lundy, and Myles Dread. Following an upset victory over Texas A&M and the team’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2001, the Nittany Lions fell to Texas in the Round of 32.

April: J.I.D. Rocks Movin’ On

Despite the rainy weather on the IM Fields, rapper J.I.D. brought the energy as the headliner of Movin’ On. He was joined by COIN, Neon Trees, and UPSAHL in the lineup this year.

May: Men’s Lacrosse’s Cinderella Run

Penn State men’s lacrosse reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019 in May and battled all the way to the Final Four. Jeff Tambroni and the Nittany Lions were knocked out of the tournament on the heels of a controversial overtime goal by Duke.

June: Pride Parade Brightens Downtown State College

Following the departure of most students for summer vacation, the annual State College Pride Parade brought thousands of folks and a stream of color through an otherwise quiet Happy Valley.

July: Summer Fun At Arts Fest

The annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts was back in full swing in July, drawing students, artists, community members, Pennsylvanians, and more to Happy Valley. Beyond the art itself, the event brought the community together to celebrate what makes State College so special.

August: Dollar Dogs Are Back

As students returned to campus for the fall semester, so did the State College Spikes’ “Dollar Dog Night” promotion, a favorite among Onward Staters. The deal is just so doggone good.

September: The White Out

The Nittany Lion faithful (all 110,830 of them) packed Beaver Stadium for Penn State’s 31-0 victory over Iowa in the White Out. The second-largest crowd at Beaver Stadium created a hostile environment for the Hawkeyes and created unforgettable memories for every Nittany Lion in attendance.

October: Protests

From pro-Palestine or pro-Israel gatherings to transgender rights events, October was filled with protests in State College.

November: New Look Hoops

After Micah Shrewsberry’s departure following last season, new head coach Mike Rhoades brought in almost an entirely new roster of Penn State hoopsters. The new crew, highlighted by Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Ace Baldwin Jr., has led the blue and white to a 7-6 record in the opening two months of play ahead of the brunt of its conference schedule.

December: Rotten Peaches

Penn State football’s 2023 campaign came to a bitter end in a 38-25 loss to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. A handful of opt-outs and coordinator changes, a lacking pass game, and a talented Rebel squad led to the Nittany Lions’ shortcomings in Atlanta as their hopes to clinch victories in all six New Year’s Six games couldn’t be sealed in 2023.

Happy New Year, Penn State!