'This is Penn State' enters second year of celebrating campus treasures

From hanging with raptors to making Creamery ice cream to racing with Olympic hopefuls, “This is Penn State” (TIPS) takes viewers behind the scenes at the University.

Now entering its second year, the video series aims to educate, entertain and connect viewers with a better understanding of the complex parts that keep Penn State moving. The series kicked off in May with a look at West Halls cookies (the top-viewed episode at more than 3,600 views) and ventured to other locales such as Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, Berkey Creamery and the Valley Preferred Cycling Center near Penn State Lehigh Valley. The first six episodes plus two "shorts" have garnered more than 11,400 views and counting on YouTube.

Hosted by Bill Zimmerman, social media manager at Penn State, under the direction of Curtis Parker, video manager in Strategic Communications, the duo creates videos that shine a spotlight on inspired doers, cutting-edge research and the inner workings of Penn State departments from University Park to the Commonwealth Campuses. "This is Penn State" looks for ways to share Penn State pride and connect Penn Staters past and present to the campuses they love.

"As we enter year two, we're looking for more chances to get right in the mix, recognize areas of Penn State that may be overlooked, take viewers into the experiences and continue to celebrate the exceptional know-how and creativity of Penn Staters," Zimmerman said.

The Web series, which can be found at http://news.psu.edu/thisispennstate and on Penn State’s official YouTube channel, is also featured regularly on Altoona, Pennsylvania’s WTAJ-TV’s “Central PA Live.” From the Web to television and from social media to email, the series uses the digital landscape to share stories from Penn State that show this is the place where “head meets heart.”

Upcoming episodes take the TIPS team to the Center for Pollinator Research for a hands-on look at honey bees and a backstage glimpse of set design at the School of Theatre.

To submit an episode idea, contact Zimmerman at wfz1@psu.edu.