It is cold outside, but it is the perfect time to think summer classes at Penn State York. Two six-week sessions offer students the opportunity to take day, evening, or online classes, and still have an opportunity to enjoy summer. Some classes may also combine online with face-to-face instruction.

Writers of fiction, poetry and drama who are interested in having their work published or performed should plan to enter the Penn State York Literary Competition sponsored by the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) and “Any Other Word,” the campus’ online literary magazine. The competition is open to Penn State York students; submissions are being accepted through March 2.

Penn State York Benefiting THON is partnering with the American Red Cross for a THON Blood Drive on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Penn State York. The blood drive is from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center, and is open to the public.

Start preparing to take the SAT by enrolling in Penn State York’s SAT prep course beginning Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019. The four-week course will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Saturday through Feb. 16 in Room 112 of the Edward M. Elias Science Building.

Members of the Penn State York women's basketball team put their artistic skills to work and created cards for children who are hospitalized for the holidays. They sent the cards out through the Cards for Hospitalized Kids organization in Chicago.

Like most college students, Luke Marsiglia will remember his college years fondly, but unlike most, the evidence of his work will remain at Penn State York forever. Marsiglia, who will graduate Dec. 14 with a bachelor of science in electro-mechanical engineering technology, had the unique experience of being a part of the construction of the renovated and expanded student center, which opened in 2016. At age 22, Marsiglia is leaving a legacy at Penn State York.

Penn State York will be closed for regular business for the semester break beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, and will reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019.

Penn Players, the Penn State York drama club, is set to perform “Almost, Maine,” a full-length play by John Cariani, at 6 p.m. on Dec. 3 and 4 on the main stage of the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center at the campus. The program is free and open to the public, and tickets are not needed.

“I am not afraid. I was born to do this.” These words from the late Maddie Hill, as she battled cancer, continue to inspire the Penn State York community to honor her during the third annual Maddie Hill Basketball Games on Friday, Dec. 7. Hill was 19 when she died on June 29, 2016, after battling cancer three times.

Penn State York is celebrating its 18th annual fall commencement at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, in the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) at the campus. State Representative Carol Hill-Evans, 95th Legislative District, York, Pennsylvania, and a Penn State York alumna is the commencement speaker.

Penn State York is set to offer a new four-year degree, the bachelor of science in project and supply chain management, beginning in fall 2019. This degree can be completed at the York campus, and brings the total number of four-year degrees available at the campus to 11.

Nominations are being accepted for the 2018-19 James H. Burness Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award is given annually to recognize any aspect of excellent instruction -- lectures, demonstrations, classroom activities, handling of discussions, individual attention, laboratory instruction, etc. -- that contributes to the academic quality of Penn State York.

"If we don’t stand up for children, then we don’t stand for much.” This quote from Marian Wright Edelman explains the guiding force behind Penn State York’s third annual Universal Children Day celebration, set for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, in the Precision Custom Components Community Room in the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center

Penn State York honored its veterans on Friday, Nov. 9 with a luncheon and program that was open to the campus community. The event was sponsored by Penn State York’s student veterans’ group, Student Veterans of America (SVA), York Chapter.