Hello, 2024.

The spring semester is upon us after a restful winter break, hopefully. If you ditched Happy Valley as soon as you could for some home-cooked meals and a shower without shoes, we get it. Plenty happened at Dear Old State while you were gone, so we’re here to catch you up on everything you missed while you were away.

Here’s a recap of everything that happened in the valley during winter break.

News

• The Palmer Museum of Art’s new location at the Arboretum is set to open on June 1 and will feature 20 galleries, a museum store and café, and a Dale Chihuly installation.
• A former Blue Band majorette sued the university for its failure to protect her from harassment by former majorettes head coach Heather Bean. The complaint accuses Bean of bullying, fat-shaming, and harassment.
• The State College Borough Council passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War.
• Happy Valley runs on Dunkin’. A new Dunkin’ storefront opened at 141 S. Garner St. in the former location of Starbucks.
• Convenience store Smoke ‘N’ Subs Express will open “soon” on South Pugh Street in the former location of Subway.

Sports

• On the first day of finals week, three-star Shorter University offensive tackle Alan Herron announced his commitment to Penn State football but flipped his commitment in favor of Maryland 11 days later.
• Penn State women’s volleyball stars Taylor Trammell, Jess Mruzik, and Camryn Hannah each announced their plans to return to Rec Hall for their final seasons of eligibility.
• Ahead of Penn State’s battle with Ole Miss, New Trail Brewing Company launched a limited edition release of “State Light Peach” to support the Nittany Lions.
• After time at Georgia, Pennsylvania Little League legend Cole Wagner announced his return to baseball and commitment to Mike Gambino.
• Several Penn State football players announced their declarations for the NFL Draft over winter break including:
  • Curtis Jacobs
  • Caedan Wallace
  • Daequan Hardy
  • Olu Fashanu
  • Adisa Isaac
  • Kalen King
  • Alex Felkins
  • Trey Potts
• Mike Rhoades and Co. couldn’t get the job done against Georgia Tech at Madison Square Garden. Rebounding struggles were the story of the Nittany Lions’ overtime loss.
• The Lady Lions made history with a 119-43 victory over St. Francis. Their 76 points marked the team’s largest margin of victory in program history.
• After Manny Diaz left a vacancy at the defensive coordinator position, Penn State football hired former Indiana head coach Tom Allen to fill the position.
• Seventeen four-stars and eight three-stars committed to Penn State football’s Class of 2024 on early signing day, highlighted by tight end Luke Reynolds, running back Quinton Martin, and quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer.
• At his introductory press conference, defensive coordinator Tom Allen perhaps made a few Nittany Lion enemies when he reestablished Michael Penix Jr.’s two-point conversion in 2020 was, in fact, good.
• While his tight end counterpart Theo Johnson declared for the draft, Tyler Warren announced his plans to return to Penn State for the 2024 season.
• Cael Sanderson was busy over the break and picked up commitments from Nate Desmond and William Henckel.
• Nittany Lion wrestling legend Bo Nickal was named ESPN’s Rookie of the Year after his undefeated debut in the world of UFC.
• Penn State fell 38-25 to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl after poor secondary play, more opt-outs than originally anticipated, and a slew of penalties.
• After originally committing to out-of-state universities, Pennsylvania natives Julian Fleming and Nolan Rucci transferred to Penn State out of the portal, marking James Franklin’s biggest portal splashes thus far. Edge rusher Jordan Mayer and kicker Chase Meyer also transferred to the program.
• Wide receiver Dante Cephas entered the transfer portal following his lone season in Happy Valley. He didn’t appear in the Peach Bowl and recorded 22 receptions and 246 in 2023.
• Defensive tackle Dvon Ellies and Hakeem Beamon announced their returns for the 2024 season. Ellies and Beamon will join Warren as the only players to formally announce their returns so far.
• Penn State hoops downed Michigan 79-73 at The Palestra in Philadelphia. Demetrius Lilley, Jameel Brown, and Jimmy Martelli had special moments as the Nittany Lions played in front of their hometown crowds, and Martelli, meanwhile, played against his father, an assistant at Michigan.