'Raise the Bar' connects Penn State faculty with far-flung alumni

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Alumni Association’s inaugural "Raise the Bar" series brought Penn State faculty and alumni together in pubs and breweries across the country this spring, creating opportunities for lifelong learning in settings designed to spark conversation and connection.

Over nine stops from Chicago to San Juan, Puerto Rico, alumni traded traditional lecture halls for neighborhood gathering places, where faculty-led discussions unfolded over drinks and shared experiences.

"Raise the Bar was created to offer alumni a different way to engage with Penn State," said Tom Hammond, executive director of engagement for the Penn State Alumni Association. "By pairing timely, thought-provoking faculty discussions with relaxed, social environments, we created opportunities for alumni to connect with the University and one another in a way that feels both meaningful and approachable. The enthusiasm and curiosity we saw across all nine cities reinforces the impact of delivering Penn State’s expertise and experiences directly to alumni in their local communities."

The series opened in Philadelphia at the Little Gay Pub, where Chris Castiglia, distinguished professor of English in the College of the Liberal Arts, explored how queer lives and histories intersect with stories and organizations rooted in Philadelphia’s historic landscape. In New York City, just steps from Broadway in the heart of the theater district, Charlene Gross, associate professor and head of design and technology in the School of Theatre, discussed the stories told by clothing and costumes — a fitting conversation for a neighborhood defined by performance and creative expression.

In Boston, Tahira Reid Smith, Arthur L. Glenn Professor of Engineering Education in the College of Engineering, offered a first-hand account of innovation and interdisciplinary research. In Hershey, Amulya Yadav, associate professor of AI (artificial intelligence) and data science in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, explored the possibilities and challenges of artificial intelligence with attendees.

A Havana-inspired rum bar in Washington, D.C., provided the backdrop for Amy Kristin Sanders, John and Ann Curley Professor of First Amendment in the Bellisario College of Communications, to examine free speech in the age of algorithms and social media, and the historical precedents for today’s challenges. In Lancaster, Michael Bérubé, Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Literature in the College of the Liberal Arts, led one of the series’ most distinctive discussions, on the enduring influence of Mary Shelley’s novel "Frankenstein" on modern culture.

Luiz “Pepe” Barcellos, lecturer in music education in the College of Arts and Architecture, had alumni in Pittsburgh on their feet, participating in a hands-on exploration of Brazilian rhythms, instruments and musical traditions. In Chicago, Molly Countermine, teaching professor of human development and family studies in the College of Health and Human Development, led a conversation inspired by her book "Being Human: A Crash Course," inviting alumni to explore what it means to live a life of purpose, connection and fulfillment.

The series concluded in San Juan, where Pearl Gluck, associate professor of film production in the Bellisario College of Communications and 2025–26 Penn State Laureate, explored Puerto Rico’s influence on film, identity and storytelling.

According to Hammond, the inaugural "Raise the Bar" series demonstrated that some of the most meaningful Penn State conversations can happen far beyond campus. Across every city, alumni were inspired to gather with faculty to exchange ideas, ask questions, and forge new connections — providing an unforgettable example of how the Penn State experience continues well beyond graduation.

The series also showcased Penn State's faculty expertise to alumni communities nationwide while introducing a new model for alumni engagement, Hammond added. By bringing timely discussions into welcoming social spaces, "Raise the Bar" created opportunities for alumni to reconnect with the University and one another in ways that felt both personal and accessible.

To stay up to date on future "Raise the Bar" events and other Penn State Alumni Association programs, follow the Alumni Association on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and explore upcoming events and opportunities through the Alumni Association website.