UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Board of Trustees approved an investment to renovate an athletic facility at Penn State Abington and held its annual elections for various representatives, among other actions on May 8 at the University Park campus.
During its meeting, the board approved:
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A plan to renovate and expand the Physical Education Building at Penn State Abington. The $25 million investment at Abington is designed to enhance students’ education and athletic experiences at the campus;
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The reappointment of directors for the Penn State Health board of directors; and
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The reappointment of directors for the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center board of directors.
In his remarks, Board Chair David Kleppinger recognized Emily Metzgar, who will become dean of the Bellisario College of Communications on July 1; Robert Bohrer, the new chancellor at Penn State Schuylkill, effective July 1; Tonya Peeples, who is stepping down as the Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of the College of Engineering to serve as a special adviser to the executive vice president and provost; and Lee Kump, the John Leone Dean of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, who will step down as dean to return to the faculty.
Kleppinger also recognized Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi, who received the 2026 Impact Innovations Award from Advancing Research Impact in Society and marks her fourth anniversary with the University. The award recognized Bendapudi’s leadership in advancing research that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
The trustees also heard from outgoing Faculty Senate Chair Frank Marko, who talked about the senate’s efforts on student success, its partnership with the University senior administration and Board of Trustees, and its work to increase transparency.
The board also heard from Karen Thole, inaugural director of the Penn State National Security Institute. Thole said that the creation of the National Security Institute reflects Penn State's leadership at a pivotal moment, and discussed the opportunity to connect the University's existing strength in areas central to national priorities in new ways to accelerate discovery. Thole also outlined her priorities to build strong connections across colleges, disciplines and external partners; to grow the institute into a leading national resource that complements and expands the impact of the Applied Research Laboratory; and to invest in the faculty, staff and students upon whom the future of national security will depend.
President Bendapudi presented medals to the newest Evan Pugh University Professors, the highest honor bestowed upon faculty. She also recognized the women’s hockey team for their greatest season in program history after their fourth AHA championship title and first-ever appearance at the Frozen Four.
In her report to the board, Bendapudi also:
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Provided an update on an MOU with Westinghouse Electric Company, signed earlier this week, that strengthens a longstanding partnership with a new five-year agreement to continue advancing nuclear research.
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Discussed two recently announced key initiatives to accelerate the University’s work in the artificial intelligence space
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Lauded the College of Health and Human Development for its recent ranking of being the nation’s No. 1 school of allied health in terms of National Institutes of Health funding.
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Recognized the effort to produce Penn State’s nationally televised brand anthem commercial, “This is a Place,” which is a finalist for the international People’s Telly Awards.
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Acknowledged the approximately 15,000 Penn State degrees that will be awarded during this weekend’s commencement ceremonies across the commonwealth.
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Reflected on the extraordinary power of the alumni network at Penn State, which after this weekend’s spring commencement ceremonies will soon mark the University’s awarding of the one-millionth degree — a milestone expected to be achieved later this year.
The schedule of upcoming meetings can be found on the Board of Trustees website.