A large contingent of researchers and scholars will represent Penn State at the annual National Communication Association Convention, Nov. 8-11.

Ten Penn State students have been selected as the inaugural group of Bellisario College Fellows in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. The 10 students, two each from the Bellisario College’s five majors, were selected after initial faculty recommendations and by completing a rigorous application process that included reviews by alumni and faculty, as well as personal interviews.

Mary Beth Oliver, a Penn State faculty member renowned for her research in entertainment psychology and her mentorship of students, has been named the inaugural Donald P. Bellisario Professor of Media Studies.

Two award-winning journalists will speak at the annual Foster-Foreman Conference of Distinguished Writers, a series of free public lectures Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 on the University Park campus.

Three Penn State alumni, a faculty member and an award-winning Pennsylvania television leader earned the top annual awards from the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications Alumni Society Board.

Penn State alumnus James P. Jimirro -- whose illustrious career has included roles as the founding president of both The Disney Channel and Disney Home Video, and who revived the National Lampoon brand -- has endowed a $1 million professorship in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications.

A panel of experts, including media members and faculty, will address the potential impact of legalized sports gambling on the landscape of athletics during a free public session at 6 p.m. Oct. 3 in 121 Sparks Building.

A leading researcher in digital communications will discuss the challenge of framing conversations about marriage equality and religious freedom during a free public lecture Oct. 10 on the University Park campus at Penn State.

The large Penn State contingent at an international communications conference in Washington, D.C., this week included the organization's newly installed president, the recipient of a top individual award, and researchers responsible for nine award-winning papers.

Nearly 40 faculty members, graduate students and alumni of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications will participate in the 68th annual International Communication Association Conference in Prague, Czech Republic, this week.