We Are Weekend at Penn State DuBois brings together community support

DuBOIS, Pa. — The spirit of Penn State DuBois and community togetherness was fully alive and well during We Are Weekend, a homecoming event that took place on April 12. The event, which was a collaborative effort of the DuBois Educational Foundation (DEF), the Penn State DuBois Alumni Society and Penn State DuBois, featured multiple events throughout both days, culminating in the Lions, Legacy and Laughter event at the PAW Center.

“We Are Weekend was a strong showing of support and community for Penn State DuBois,” Alex Gasbarre, DuBois Educational Foundation president, said. “A large amount of hard work and effort were put into the events by countless individuals, and for that we are truly grateful.”

“We are also grateful for the overwhelming support, both in person and financially, that our community showed for the foundation and the campus,” Gasbarre continued. “It’s impossible for me to put into word how much this means to everyone.”

The day got off to a running start, literally, with the Lion 5k Run/Walk. Starting at the PAW Center, nearly 20 participants completed a 5k course that included much of the campus and the area around it, ending at the PAW Center.

On Saturday evening, the pinnacle event of the weekend took place with Lions, Legacy and Laughter. The event featured a silent auction, basket raffle, grid boards and more opportunities for attendees to win prizes. The evening also included the Penn State DuBois Alumni Society Awards Ceremony, in which four individuals were honored. The honorees were:

• Outstanding Alumni Award – Thomas Keller, class of 2005, class of 2007
• Dave Shaffer Outstanding Young Alumni Award – Dylan Treaster, class of 2023
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Stephen Massini, class of 1985
• Distinguished Ambassador Award – Michael Peduzzi, class of 1987

The evening was highlighted by a performance from Happy Valley Improv, State College’s premier long-form improvisational theater company.

All proceeds from We Are Weekend contribute to campus initiatives, such as dual credit opportunities for high school students.

“Overall, We Are Weekend was another shining example of what makes Penn State DuBois and our community so amazing,” Jungwoo Ryoo, chancellor and chief academic officer, said. “I thank our We Are Weekend team for their teamwork and dedication to produce such a fantastic event.”

Supporters of events like We Are Weekend advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.