The winning photo in the 2026 Penn State Today fall photo contest was submitted by Michael Wang, an undergraduate student studying math in the Eberly College of Science, of a scene on the walkway between Old Main and Pattee Library. Credit: Michael Wang. All Rights Reserved.
Thank you to all who participated in the Penn State Today 2026 fall photo contest! The winning photo was submitted by Michael Wang, an undergraduate student studying math in the Eberly College of Science, of a scene on the walkway between Old Main and Pattee Library.
See more top overall submissions, as selected by Penn State Today editors, in the gallery below.
Photo submitted by Sudipta Kundu, a graduate student from Kolkata, India, studying chemistry. The submitted caption reads: "This photo was taken in front of Pattee Transit Center on Oct 5, 2026. The caption I would prefer is 'Penn State, Golden Edition.'" Credit: Sudipta Kundu. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Darien R. Reimold, an undergraduate student studying film production at Penn State York. The submitted caption reads: "A squirrel in Baumgartner’s Woods on the Penn State York campus enjoying his nut as the sun shines down through the trees on him, taken on Monday, October 19th, 2026." Credit: Darien R. Reimold. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Audrey Cobb, an undergraduate student studying corporate communication at Penn State Scranton. The submitted caption reads: "October 10th, 2026. Penn State football White Out game, walking into the stadium. The best atmosphere." Credit: Audrey Cobb. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Kathleen Hauser, associate teaching professor in engineering at Penn State Berks. The submitted caption reads: "The Nittany Lion enjoys a fall view of the fountain on a warm Friday afternoon outside the Perkins Building at Penn State Berks." Credit: Kathleen Hauser. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Amir Marvasti, professor of sociology at Penn State Altoona. The submitted caption reads: "Fall leaves floating on Spring Run Creek at Penn State Altoona." Credit: Amir Marvasti. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Jonathan O'Harrow, director of strategic communications at Penn State Altoona. The submitted caption reads: "The photo is of the Eve Chapel and the Penn State Altoona reflecting pond. It was taken Oct. 1." Credit: Jonathan O'Harrow. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Jackie Elliott, administrative assistant in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics. The submitted caption reads: "Photo taken on Monday, October 20, 2026 from the 5th floor of Davey Lab, University Park campus. Picture looking over campus towards College Ave. with a hot air balloon and moon in the sky." Credit: Jackie Elliott. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Philip Macclaire Young, a graduate student at Penn State Dickinson Law. The submitted caption reads: "Sunset over the Arboretum at Penn State, 10/13/2026." Credit: Philip Macclaire Young. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Amy Liu, an undergraduate student studying biochemistry and molecular biology in the Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: "Penn State Crew practice, October 14th, 2026 - a decorated sky provided a backdrop for our daily Penn State Club Crew practice at Bald Eagle State Park Joseph Sayers Reservoir. Although sunrises are not a rare sighting for the crew team, the combination of the clear horizon and cloud pattern made this one hard to forget. Pictured: Novice Coach Jess Scheer (PSU graduate student) and an undergraduate member of the Penn State Club Crew women's team." Credit: Amy Liu. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Imran Kabir, a graduate research assistant in the College of IST. The submitted caption reads: "While leaves fall all around him, this little guy is all business. It's a reminder that everyone on campus is preparing for something. The photo was taken on 23rd October near the Westgate building [at University Park]." Credit: Imran Kabir. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Liam Schwarcz, an undergraduate student studying mechanical engineering and engineering science. The submitted caption reads: "The photo was taken on September 26 at 7:05 pm at Beaver Stadium during the Penn State vs. Wisconsin game. During the second half, an incredible sunset was visible from every seat in the stadium, covering the entire sky. The photo highlights the sheer volume of fans in attendance as well as the Homecoming and Helmet Stripe themes present in the crowd. I was in the student section and sprinted to the top right of the stadium to get the best view, near the bottom entrance to the SAU section." Credit: Liam Schwarcz. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Mark Williams, senior supervisor of pre-award services for the Liberal Arts Award Hub at University Park. The submitted caption reads: "Images of leaves left on the sidewalk next to Sparks Building. Most of these images are not of the actual leaves, but are images left behind when leaves got wet, then dried, and then were blown away. Taken Oct. 14, 2026." Credit: Mark Williams. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Kristen Doerschner, marketing and communications specialist at Penn State Beaver. The submitted caption reads: "A view of the fountain with the early morning fog at the entrance to Penn State Beaver. On the hillside in the background is the campus high tunnel. The photo was taken on Oct. 20, 2026." Credit: Kristen Doerschner. All Rights Reserved.
The winning photo in the 2026 Penn State Today fall photo contest was submitted by Michael Wang, an undergraduate student studying math in the Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: "A Quiet Moment in Autumn: Taken on October 13, 2026, at approximately 6 p.m., along the walkway from Old Main toward Pattee Library at campus. While walking to the library, I noticed someone relaxing on a bench beneath a canopy of golden and orange autumn leaves. The peaceful scene caught my attention, and I spontaneously captured this quiet moment amid the beauty of fall on campus." Credit: Michael Wang. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Sudipta Kundu, a graduate student from Kolkata, India, studying chemistry. The submitted caption reads: "This photo was taken in front of Pattee Transit Center on Oct 5, 2026. The caption I would prefer is 'Penn State, Golden Edition.'" Credit: Sudipta Kundu. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Darien R. Reimold, an undergraduate student studying film production at Penn State York. The submitted caption reads: "A squirrel in Baumgartner’s Woods on the Penn State York campus enjoying his nut as the sun shines down through the trees on him, taken on Monday, October 19th, 2026." Credit: Darien R. Reimold. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Audrey Cobb, an undergraduate student studying corporate communication at Penn State Scranton. The submitted caption reads: "October 10th, 2026. Penn State football White Out game, walking into the stadium. The best atmosphere." Credit: Audrey Cobb. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Kathleen Hauser, associate teaching professor in engineering at Penn State Berks. The submitted caption reads: "The Nittany Lion enjoys a fall view of the fountain on a warm Friday afternoon outside the Perkins Building at Penn State Berks." Credit: Kathleen Hauser. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Amir Marvasti, professor of sociology at Penn State Altoona. The submitted caption reads: "Fall leaves floating on Spring Run Creek at Penn State Altoona." Credit: Amir Marvasti. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Jonathan O'Harrow, director of strategic communications at Penn State Altoona. The submitted caption reads: "The photo is of the Eve Chapel and the Penn State Altoona reflecting pond. It was taken Oct. 1." Credit: Jonathan O'Harrow. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Jackie Elliott, administrative assistant in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics. The submitted caption reads: "Photo taken on Monday, October 20, 2026 from the 5th floor of Davey Lab, University Park campus. Picture looking over campus towards College Ave. with a hot air balloon and moon in the sky." Credit: Jackie Elliott. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Philip Macclaire Young, a graduate student at Penn State Dickinson Law. The submitted caption reads: "Sunset over the Arboretum at Penn State, 10/13/2026." Credit: Philip Macclaire Young. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Amy Liu, an undergraduate student studying biochemistry and molecular biology in the Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: "Penn State Crew practice, October 14th, 2026 - a decorated sky provided a backdrop for our daily Penn State Club Crew practice at Bald Eagle State Park Joseph Sayers Reservoir. Although sunrises are not a rare sighting for the crew team, the combination of the clear horizon and cloud pattern made this one hard to forget. Pictured: Novice Coach Jess Scheer (PSU graduate student) and an undergraduate member of the Penn State Club Crew women's team." Credit: Amy Liu. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Imran Kabir, a graduate research assistant in the College of IST. The submitted caption reads: "While leaves fall all around him, this little guy is all business. It's a reminder that everyone on campus is preparing for something. The photo was taken on 23rd October near the Westgate building [at University Park]." Credit: Imran Kabir. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Liam Schwarcz, an undergraduate student studying mechanical engineering and engineering science. The submitted caption reads: "The photo was taken on September 26 at 7:05 pm at Beaver Stadium during the Penn State vs. Wisconsin game. During the second half, an incredible sunset was visible from every seat in the stadium, covering the entire sky. The photo highlights the sheer volume of fans in attendance as well as the Homecoming and Helmet Stripe themes present in the crowd. I was in the student section and sprinted to the top right of the stadium to get the best view, near the bottom entrance to the SAU section." Credit: Liam Schwarcz. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Mark Williams, senior supervisor of pre-award services for the Liberal Arts Award Hub at University Park. The submitted caption reads: "Images of leaves left on the sidewalk next to Sparks Building. Most of these images are not of the actual leaves, but are images left behind when leaves got wet, then dried, and then were blown away. Taken Oct. 14, 2026." Credit: Mark Williams. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Kristen Doerschner, marketing and communications specialist at Penn State Beaver. The submitted caption reads: "A view of the fountain with the early morning fog at the entrance to Penn State Beaver. On the hillside in the background is the campus high tunnel. The photo was taken on Oct. 20, 2026." Credit: Kristen Doerschner. All Rights Reserved.
The winning photo in the 2026 Penn State Today fall photo contest was submitted by Michael Wang, an undergraduate student studying math in the Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: "A Quiet Moment in Autumn: Taken on October 13, 2026, at approximately 6 p.m., along the walkway from Old Main toward Pattee Library at campus. While walking to the library, I noticed someone relaxing on a bench beneath a canopy of golden and orange autumn leaves. The peaceful scene caught my attention, and I spontaneously captured this quiet moment amid the beauty of fall on campus." Credit: Michael Wang. All Rights Reserved.
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