UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The University is seeking nominees for the role of 2026-27 Penn State Laureate, with nominations due by Friday, Dec. 5.
The endowed annual position of Penn State Laureate was established in 2008 to bring greater visibility to the arts and humanities and the honoree’s work, and to enrich the University.
The Penn State Laureate is a full-time faculty member who is assigned half-time to this role for one academic year. The laureate has opportunities throughout the year to bring his or her artistic perspectives to a variety of audiences, including visits to Commonwealth Campuses and communities statewide.
The 2025-26 Penn State Laureate is Pearl Gluck, an award-winning filmmaker, educator community arts advocate, and associate professor from the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. As Penn State Laureate, Gluck is expanding the Centre Film Festival’s programming across the University’s Commonwealth Campuses. She plans to bring traveling workshops and screenings to inspire regional storytelling, foster student connections across campuses, and create pathways for future collaborations, residencies and artistic engagement. Through this initiative, she aims to promote inclusive access to the arts and celebrate Pennsylvania’s rich legacy of historic theaters and emerging cinematic voices.
Nominations for the 2026-27 Penn State Laureate are encouraged from across the University, and self-nominations are welcome. The nomination process consists of providing the name, unit, and campus of the person being nominated and the name of the nominator (should there be any). Nominations can be submitted via Microsoft Form by Dec. 5. Those who are nominated will be informed by Dec. 15, at which time additional information will be provided regarding the gathering and submission of the materials necessary for continuing in the laureate selection process. Final materials will be due Jan. 9, 2026.
A list of past Penn State Laureates is available on the website of the Office of Faculty Affairs.
If you have any questions about the Penn State Laureate program, please contact Alan Rieck, associate vice provost and associate dean, Undergraduate Education at ajr83@psu.edu.