This week's top stories from across Penn State:
ABINGTON GIFT: Stephen Taub, a former Penn State Abington student and University Park graduate, committed $17.3 million to Abington, the largest gift in the campus' history.
2019 CLASS GIFT: This week, Penn State seniors have the chance to vote for their class gift and leave a legacy to their alma mater. Voting runs through Oct. 19.
MOOD OF THE NATION: Responses to the September McCourtney Institute Mood of the Nation Poll reveal partisan differences concerning President Donald Trump, but also football player and activist Colin Kaepernick, Special Counsel Robert Mueller and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
TOBACCO POLICY: Penn State is new smoke- and tobacco-free. The University updated policy AD32 this fall to prohibit smoking and the use of tobacco in and on all University-owned or leased properties, facilities and vehicles, and launched the informational website tobacco free.psu.edu this week.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: A look at the mental health resources available for students who are struggling. "If you're struggling, seeking help is absolutely a sign of strength, not weakness," said Ben Locke, director of Counseling and Psychological Services. "And if you see something, do something. If you think a friend or peer is struggling in some way, check in, ask them how they are, or reach out for a consultant with a trusted source, like CAPS."
TRANSFORMATIONAL TECH COURSE: A new general education course at University Park campus — GEOG 197 — will immerse students in the world of virtual reality, 360-degree video and augmented reality.
BELLISARIO MEDIA CENTER: An open design to encourage collaboration and creativity anchors plans for the state-of-the-art Donald P. Bellisario Media Center, set to open in the heart of the University Park campus in 2020.
BEEKEEPERS CLUB: The Penn State Beekeepers Club, which was founded in 2013, brings together beekeeping enthusiasts and those who simply are interested in learning about and sharing the beekeeping hobby.