He’s making a list, checking it twice, and he’s about to reveal who in Happy Valley has been naughty or nice…

As the year wraps up, Santa is putting his finishing touches on his official Penn State naughty-or-nice list. Fortunately, we managed to get the inside scoop from one of his very chatty elves — and they weren’t shy about spilling who (and what) from Penn State made the cut this year.

Nice List

THON

After setting a record of raising $$17,737,040.93 for childhood cancer and uniting the entire campus, THON will continue to stay on Santa’s nice list forever. Santa loves a good cause, and THON delivers every single time.

The Nittany Lion

The man under the suit did not disappoint.

When Mason Reber was revealed as the Nittany Lion, he immediately shook the internet. Santa respects a man who can get the crowd hyped, do flips and push-ups in costume, and be a campus heartthrob.

The HUB Salad Bar Boneless Wings

Easily the most delectable item on campus. Garlic Parmesan. Barbecue. Buffalo. Sweet and Sour. And the true winner? Cajun Ranch. Santa himself reports that he stops into the HUB to pick up a few while flying over State College. Crispy, saucy, and always there when you need them. An easy, nice list pick.

Professors Who Don’t Track Attendance

Bless these holiday angels. On the days that you just truly can’t face getting out of bed and sitting through a lecture, these professors have never made you feel guilty for prioritizing your sanity. Onto the nice list they go.

Onward State

Santa made it very clear he didn’t need to check his list twice for this decision. Onward State absolutely belongs on the nice list, and no, this has nothing to do with the fact that I’m the one writing this article.

OS has consistently delivered chaos, news, visuals, and everything in between. Though not everyone in OS has made the nice list this year. Santa specifically flagged some repeat offenders: Editors Maggie Alderisio and Hannah Guidotti, writer Michael Siroty, and even some photographers, like Tia Kaschauer and Brandon Hurley.

Naughty List

Pat Kraft

Rumor has it that some of the elves were debating what list to put him on. Santa said he’d see how next football season goes, and he might change his mind. His hired are well liked by the man up North, but the things he’s said, especially about the folks in Oregon, have tarnished his reputation.

Better luck next year, Pat.

The Great State College Blackout Of 2025

No power for days. No charging phones. Sparking power lines. Porta-potties are literally taking flight and pummeling the IM referees. The Great Penn State Blackout will probably make history textbooks. Even the generators are calling it quits? Santa was not impressed.

Pollock Testing Center

A student’s worst nightmare. Long lines, bright fluorescent lights, and employees who look just as exhausted as the students themselves, all before you even enter the exam. As if the test anxiety isn’t enough, the testing center adds its own version of misery.

Santa says that the Pollock Testing Center can forget the red sack of presents and stick with their blue backpacks. To the naughty list they stay.

Eduroam

For the tuition paid here, you’d think Penn State could manage one reliable Wi-Fi network. Joke’s on you!

Eduroam will always buffer in the most important moments: starting a timed exam, filling out the attendance on TopHat, or trying to get an assignment turned in before its due date. Santa tested the connection himself and couldn’t even load his naughty list to share with us.

Susan Welch Building Catastrophe

From cracked walls to stranded students, this catastrophe took the internet by storm. A new building having this many structural issues? Loud booming noises and cracks traveling up walls? Naughty. Extremely naughty.