Academic Building ribbon-cutting marks new era of student success at Penn State Abington

ABINGTON, Pa. — Penn State Abington celebrated the official ribbon-cutting of its new Academic Building, marking a major milestone for the campus and bringing the Abington Experience to life in new ways. The 86,000 square-foot space, which opened for classes this fall, expands hands-on learning opportunities and career preparation through its collaborative spaces, MakerSpace, engineering lab and podcast studio.

Throughout the ceremony, the speakers emphasized the building's role in strengthening the Abington Experience through leadership development, internships, research with faculty, and global learning. Their remarks reflected a shared vision of the building and campus as a place where students gain the skills, experiences, and connections needed to become "Future Ready" while advancing Abington’s role as Penn State's presence in Greater Philadelphia.

Preparing for what’s next

Khadi Bah, Student Government Association president, highlighted the Academic Building’s spaces for collaboration, hands-on learning, and innovation will help prepare students for future careers while enhancing the overall student experience.

“This building gives us a place to prepare for what’s next by equipping us for careers that exist today and for opportunities that haven’t been created yet," Bah said.

Launching from campus to career

"Our students are on many different journeys," said H. John Thompson, associate teaching professor of art. "There is no one path, and our job is to help each student find the thing that will sustain them professionally, intellectually, and creatively long after their time with us."

Referencing the student-built wooden boat on display in the Academic Building, Thompson said the facility reflects the interconnected nature of learning at Abington. He emphasized that the flexible learning spaces and interdisciplinary environment help students build the knowledge, experiences, and skills needed for future careers.

An Investment in student success

Abington Chancellor Gary Liguori said the Academic Building expands opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with real-world experience, and it reflects Penn State Abington's innovative, student-centered approach to education.

"In the Academic Building, students work across disciplines, explore new ideas, and build the confidence and real-world capabilities that employers value," Liguori said. "Just as importantly, they form relationships with faculty, staff, and classmates that endure long after they leave this campus."

'Future Ready' in Greater Philadelphia

Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos shared that the Academic Building advances Penn State's goal of preparing students to be "Future Ready" while representing Abington's role as the University's presence in Greater Philadelphia and its investment in the region.

"Penn State Abington is not simply a campus located in Greater Philadelphia," Sotiropoulos said. "It is Penn State's commitment to Greater Philadelphia."

About Penn State Abington

Penn State Abington, home to nearly 3,000 students in Greater Philadelphia, offers four-year degrees, the first two years of any Penn State degree, and NCAA Division III athletics. The Abington Experience launches students from campus to career through internships, leadership development, academic travel, and faculty-led research and creative work. Penn State Abington — where the city's energy meets the best of the suburbs.