Administration

The achievements and legacy of President Eric J. Barron

On May 8, the University's 18th president will conclude his tenure at the helm of Penn State

Credit: Penn State. 

By Curtis Chan

Penn State President Eric J. Barron's wide-ranging efforts have touched nearly every facet of campus life, including promoting greater access and affordability; bolstering the University's support for student veterans; positioning Penn State as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship across the commonwealth; and growing the University’s world-class research enterprise.

He has been a leader on the national stage, serving on a number of high-profile organizations and efforts, including promoting higher education’s work in community and economic development, helping to pass laws that promote safety in fraternities and sororities, and advocating for the success of student-athletes.  

To lead a massive land-grant institution encompassing more than 88,000 students, $1 billion in research expenditures, 24 locations across the commonwealth, a budget exceeding $7 billion and an ambitious comprehensive campaign, Penn State President Eric J. Barron has continually returned to the University’s core missions of teaching, research and service, and a commitment to bettering society, as his touchstone to inform his plans and decisions. Barron has often referred to this central tenet as “living the mission” as he steered Penn State through a period of transition, transformation and growth over eight years. 

Major initiatives and accomplishments

During his tenure at Penn State, Barron has led a number of major University initiatives and accomplishments. 

A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence

Under Barron’s tenure, the University launched the “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence” comprehensive campaign. With an overall goal to raise $2.1 billion, the campaign reflects Barron’s vision for the role of the modern land-grant university: keeping the doors to higher education open to hardworking students; creating transformative experiences that go beyond the classroom; and impacting the world by serving communities and fueling discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. Although the campaign will end on June 30, 2022, Penn State has already joined only 15 institutions nationwide to secure $1 billion or more in three separate fundraising campaigns. 

Invent Penn State

Launched in 2015, just one year into Barron’s tenure, Invent Penn State leverages Penn State’s existing infrastructure, expertise and research profile to help bring the University’s intellectual property to the marketplace. Invent Penn State supports entrepreneurial faculty, students and alumni through enhanced programming, and advances Penn State’s service-to-society mission by promoting statewide economic development.  

Today, Penn State’s LaunchBox and Innovation Hub Network — part of Invent Penn State — encompasses 21 locations across the commonwealth that are open to anyone, with 96% of Pennsylvanians having a LaunchBox or innovation hub within 30 miles of where they live or work. A six-story, state-of-the-art, multi-use building fully focused on innovation was opened in November 2021 in State College as the cornerstone of the Penn State entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

To date, the network has supported 4,976 entrepreneurs; graduated 464 startups from accelerator programs; and helped start 218 new Pennsylvania companies. Additionally, over 19,000 students from 169 majors have enrolled in at least one course offered from the University’s Intercollege Minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation over the past 10 years.  

Wide-Ranging Impacts

$2B

Raised so far as part "A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence" comprehensive campaign.

21

Innovation Hubs located across the commonwealth serving campus and local communities.

Strategic planning

To help guide Penn State, Barron and University leadership developed an institution-wide strategic plan for 2016 through 2020, comprising five overarching thematic priorities: Transforming Education, Enhancing Health, Stewarding Our Planet’s Resources, Advancing the Arts and Humanities, and Driving Digital Innovation. 

The plan has spawned five signature initiatives, including One Penn State 2025 (Transforming Education), the Consortium to Combat Substance Abuse (Enhancing Health), the Humanities Institute (Advancing the Arts and Humanities), the Center for Immersive Experiences (Driving Digital Innovation) and the Consortium for Integrated Energy Systems (Stewarding Our Planet’s Resources). 

To continue the plan’s momentum and realize various initiatives, Penn State’s Board of Trustees approved extending the plan through 2025. 

STRATEGIC PLAN: The University’s 10-year strategic plan has sparked creative thinking and guided advancements in the areas of health, sustainability, digital technology, the arts and humanities, and education, and set the institution on a path to innovate new solutions to further cement the University as a leader in Pennsylvania and beyond. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

A GREATER PENN STATE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: Under Barron, Penn State launched “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” a $2.1 billion comprehesive campaign. Generous support by donors has allowed the University to name the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications and the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing.  Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

INVENT PENN STATE: Barron says Invent Penn State was designed to be a complete end-to-end ecosystem, taking ideas to the marketplace. “Early in my presidency, I recognized an opportunity for the University to further maximize the collective knowledge and skills of faculty, staff, students and partners to grow a statewide ecosystem of collaboration, programming and mentorship to support entrepreneurs throughout our communities.”  Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

INVENT PENN STATE INNOVATION HUB: In November 2021, the University unveiled the new Innovation Hub, an 85,000-square-foot facility that serves as the home of Happy Valley LaunchBox and provides state-of-the-art entrepreneurial and innovation resources such as makerspaces, a virtual-reality/immersive technology laboratory, storage for student organizations, a sixth-floor vista point/overlook event space and collaborative areas designed to accelerate innovation, technology commercialization, and local startup companies through peer learning, knowledge sharing, and mentorship.  Credit: Brian Reed / Penn State. Creative Commons

COMMITMENT TO VETERANS: Penn State continues to celebrate Military Appreciation Week each November. Since it began in 2011, Military Appreciation Week has grown steadily to include celebrations, vigils, resources to support veterans and their families and the annual military appreciation football game. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

COMMITMENT TO VETERANS: In 2019, Penn State opened the 6,300-square-foot Student Veteran Center in the renovated Ritenour Building on the University Park campus. The $4-million center includes a student veteran lounge, a student veteran study area and multi-use rooms that provide space for student veteran organizations, support groups and programming.  Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

NEW PALMER MUSEUM OF ART: The new Palmer Museum of Art replaces the existing facility located on Curtin Road on the University Park campus. The new museum’s project budget is $85 million and will encompass 71,254 square feet.  Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

ARBORETUM AT PENN STATE EXPANSION: The three-acre Pollinator and Bird Garden increased the arboretum’s acreage by 60%. Among its features are two dead Table Mountain pine trees that were harvested and mounted to serve as perches for birds, especially raptors, and as a source of food and homes for woodpeckers and wildlife.  Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

MUSSER GAP TO VALLEYLANDS: The University is seeking to preserve 355 acres located roughly between Whitehall Road and Rothrock State Forest at Musser Gap in Ferguson Township. A team of Penn State landscape architecture faculty and students with input from the community, local officials and environmental groups, developed seven design elements for the site that will help guide the project’s direction.  Credit: Daniel Meehan. All Rights Reserved.

STRATEGIC PLAN: The University’s 10-year strategic plan has sparked creative thinking and guided advancements in the areas of health, sustainability, digital technology, the arts and humanities, and education, and set the institution on a path to innovate new solutions to further cement the University as a leader in Pennsylvania and beyond. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

A GREATER PENN STATE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: Under Barron, Penn State launched “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” a $2.1 billion comprehesive campaign. Generous support by donors has allowed the University to name the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications and the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing.  Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

INVENT PENN STATE: Barron says Invent Penn State was designed to be a complete end-to-end ecosystem, taking ideas to the marketplace. “Early in my presidency, I recognized an opportunity for the University to further maximize the collective knowledge and skills of faculty, staff, students and partners to grow a statewide ecosystem of collaboration, programming and mentorship to support entrepreneurs throughout our communities.”  Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

INVENT PENN STATE INNOVATION HUB: In November 2021, the University unveiled the new Innovation Hub, an 85,000-square-foot facility that serves as the home of Happy Valley LaunchBox and provides state-of-the-art entrepreneurial and innovation resources such as makerspaces, a virtual-reality/immersive technology laboratory, storage for student organizations, a sixth-floor vista point/overlook event space and collaborative areas designed to accelerate innovation, technology commercialization, and local startup companies through peer learning, knowledge sharing, and mentorship.  Credit: Brian Reed / Penn State. Creative Commons

COMMITMENT TO VETERANS: Penn State continues to celebrate Military Appreciation Week each November. Since it began in 2011, Military Appreciation Week has grown steadily to include celebrations, vigils, resources to support veterans and their families and the annual military appreciation football game. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

COMMITMENT TO VETERANS: In 2019, Penn State opened the 6,300-square-foot Student Veteran Center in the renovated Ritenour Building on the University Park campus. The $4-million center includes a student veteran lounge, a student veteran study area and multi-use rooms that provide space for student veteran organizations, support groups and programming.  Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

NEW PALMER MUSEUM OF ART: The new Palmer Museum of Art replaces the existing facility located on Curtin Road on the University Park campus. The new museum’s project budget is $85 million and will encompass 71,254 square feet.  Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

ARBORETUM AT PENN STATE EXPANSION: The three-acre Pollinator and Bird Garden increased the arboretum’s acreage by 60%. Among its features are two dead Table Mountain pine trees that were harvested and mounted to serve as perches for birds, especially raptors, and as a source of food and homes for woodpeckers and wildlife.  Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

MUSSER GAP TO VALLEYLANDS: The University is seeking to preserve 355 acres located roughly between Whitehall Road and Rothrock State Forest at Musser Gap in Ferguson Township. A team of Penn State landscape architecture faculty and students with input from the community, local officials and environmental groups, developed seven design elements for the site that will help guide the project’s direction.  Credit: Daniel Meehan. All Rights Reserved.

Arboretum expansion and new art museum

Barron is a strong advocate for the arts and the humanities at Penn State and their positive impact on the campus and local communities. His administration supported the construction of a new Palmer Museum of Art and the expansion of the Arboretum at Penn State. 

The new art museum, slated to open in spring 2024 on the University Park campus, replaces the existing Palmer Museum of Art and includes expanded gallery and exhibition space, providing greater access to its 10,300-object collection; enhanced learning, creative and social opportunities for students; and areas for events and community gatherings. 

The new museum will be located next to the Arboretum at Penn State, which unveiled its three-acre Pollinator and Bird Garden expansion in June 2021. The new garden includes a bird blind and honeybee observation hive, with parts of the garden designed for research to advance the goal of attracting all native pollinators to the local region. 

Barron envisioned the combined facilities as a cultural hub and destination, drawing visitors to the Centre Region. 

Musser Gap to Valleylands

As part of the University’s sustainability efforts , Barron announced in 2019 Penn State’s intent to conserve 355 acres of land it owns in the Musser Gap area in State College near the University Park campus. 

Partnering with the local nonprofit ClearWater Conservancy and soliciting community input, the University is developing a plan for the property — dubbed Musser Gap to Valleylands — that will protect the environment while providing natural recreation for the community. 

Commitment to veterans

Under Barron’s leadership, the University affirmed and deepened its commitment to support those who served in the military. One of the most high-profile efforts to support student veterans was realized with the opening of the Student Veteran Center in Ritenour Building on the University Park campus in 2019. 

Located in the core of campus, the Student Veteran Center consolidates many of the key services for student veterans under a single, dedicated space. The center serves as a hub of activity for student veterans, a place to gather and a place where they can take part in peer-to-peer mentoring and virtual events and programs with Commonwealth Campuses. 

Barron with crowd behind him

A leader on the national stage

Throughout Barron's presidency, he has provided leadership and guidance well beyond Penn State's campuses, serving on a number of high-profile national organizations and efforts. 

Barron has maintained a strong national leadership focus on universities contributing to community and economic development. In 2017, Barron became chair of the Association of Public Land-Grant Universities' (APLU) Commission on Economic and Community Engagement, which focuses on activities that support, promote and advance community and economic engagement through innovation and talent and workforce development across APLU institutions. He also has chaired the Universities Research Association's (URA) audit committee and its board of trustees. 

He has discussed on a national stage the importance of turning issues into strengths and demonstrated a commitment to change by driving discussions with presidents across the country on fraternity and sorority safety efforts. He has also demonstrated the University’s commitment to bettering society and meeting some of its greatest challenges, such as through advancing support for the Child Maltreatment Solutions Network — the first national center for child maltreatment studies.  

Barron has also made an impact in areas like student-athlete success by serving as a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics during major name, image and likeness changes, and is one of 11 university presidents and chancellors on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers. During his time as president, he also stayed connected to his research roots as a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Science Advisory Board. 

Barron is on the boards of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, the Universities Research Association and Kish Bancorp Inc. He's written national thought pieces on topics like entrepreneurship in higher education, innovation and economic development, how federally funded university research transforms lives and critical Greek life reform. 

Penn State President Eric Barron speaks at the annual Penn State Capital Day on March 22, 2017, an annual event that brings Penn Staters together with Pennsylvania's elected officials. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons

Six imperatives 

After his inauguration in May 2014, Barron quickly introduced his six presidential priorities, which have served as his administration’s guiding principles during the course of his tenure: 

  • Excellence: Soon after becoming president, Barron wrote, “As a University, we are the keepers, creators and transmitters of knowledge, and we must excel in each across a broad spectrum of fields.” Barron’s drive for Penn State excellence in fulfilling its core missions has resulted in significant progress in key areas such as applications and enrollment, fundraising, research rankings and expenditures. The president has pointed to the growth of Invent Penn State, rising graduation rates, smaller course section sizes, improved student-to-faculty ratios, and increases in the percentage of underrepresented students as some of the indications of Penn State’s broad and inclusive excellence. 

Indicators of excellence

162,062

degrees conferred between 2014-15 and 2020-21.

$1B

In annual research expenditures. Under Barron, Penn State's research expenditures for competitively awarded grants and contracts have grown from $800 million to $1 billion.

  • Student engagement: Barron believes strongly that students should take full advantage of their time at Penn State, getting involved in campus life, internships, international experiences, leadership opportunities, research and service. “Many of our students are making the most out of their time at Penn State,” he said early in his presidency. “But Penn State has an obligation to target barriers — particularly financial ones — that are preventing more students from being engaged. Steps can be taken so more students are happier, healthier and primed for success.” To promote the effort, the University launched the Student Engagement Network to connect students with experiences that empower them to make a positive impact as citizens and future leaders.

EXCELLENCE: Institutional metrics such as enrollment, fundraising, research and ranks are among the information and data that Penn State is using to help assess performance and success across the institution. In 2021, Penn State is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world, is recognized in the top five universities where corporations recruit, and 16 research fields have ranked in the top 10 for research expenditures.  Credit: Cathy Benscoter / Penn State Beaver / Penn State. Creative Commons

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT: Barron has defined student engagement experiences as out-of-class activities and engaged scholarship as experiences that complement class-based learning. He said that engaged students learn time-management and face fewer unhealthy distractions; associate with peer groups that reinforce success; have higher grade-point averages; and build a resume throughout their college careers.  Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

DIVERSITY AND DEMOGRAPHICS: The importance of diversity, equity and inclusion as part of Penn State is enshrined as one of six foundations within the University’s Strategic Plan and articulated in its Penn State Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Throughout Barron’s tenure, Penn State has undertaken a number of actions and initiatives to foster diversity, equity and inclusion.  Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

STUDENT CAREER SUCCESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Barron noted that Penn State’s strengths in research funding, its longstanding tradition of research innovation, outreach programs that support small-business and entrepreneurial ventures can help to create a network of innovation across all of its locations. To help promote student success, Barron suggested the University instill elements of career success through its advising resources and through its curricula — requiring competencies such as critical thinking and communication skills.  Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY: To help Penn State students, the Board of Trustees voted to keep tuition essentially flat four out of five years between the 2015-16 to 2020-21 academic years. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

TECHNOLOGY AND CURRICULUM DELIVERY: Barron’s One Penn State 2025 vision seeks to make the University more integrated, flexible and responsive. The goal is to by 2025 have every facet of Penn State offering a seamless 24/7/365 online experience that will create a fluid, personalized and collaborative environment that enables students, faculty and staff to achieve their goals, regardless of their location in the world.  Credit: Rebecca Dietrich / Penn State. Creative Commons

EXCELLENCE: Institutional metrics such as enrollment, fundraising, research and ranks are among the information and data that Penn State is using to help assess performance and success across the institution. In 2021, Penn State is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world, is recognized in the top five universities where corporations recruit, and 16 research fields have ranked in the top 10 for research expenditures.  Credit: Cathy Benscoter / Penn State Beaver / Penn State. Creative Commons

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT: Barron has defined student engagement experiences as out-of-class activities and engaged scholarship as experiences that complement class-based learning. He said that engaged students learn time-management and face fewer unhealthy distractions; associate with peer groups that reinforce success; have higher grade-point averages; and build a resume throughout their college careers.  Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

DIVERSITY AND DEMOGRAPHICS: The importance of diversity, equity and inclusion as part of Penn State is enshrined as one of six foundations within the University’s Strategic Plan and articulated in its Penn State Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Throughout Barron’s tenure, Penn State has undertaken a number of actions and initiatives to foster diversity, equity and inclusion.  Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

STUDENT CAREER SUCCESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Barron noted that Penn State’s strengths in research funding, its longstanding tradition of research innovation, outreach programs that support small-business and entrepreneurial ventures can help to create a network of innovation across all of its locations. To help promote student success, Barron suggested the University instill elements of career success through its advising resources and through its curricula — requiring competencies such as critical thinking and communication skills.  Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY: To help Penn State students, the Board of Trustees voted to keep tuition essentially flat four out of five years between the 2015-16 to 2020-21 academic years. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

TECHNOLOGY AND CURRICULUM DELIVERY: Barron’s One Penn State 2025 vision seeks to make the University more integrated, flexible and responsive. The goal is to by 2025 have every facet of Penn State offering a seamless 24/7/365 online experience that will create a fluid, personalized and collaborative environment that enables students, faculty and staff to achieve their goals, regardless of their location in the world.  Credit: Rebecca Dietrich / Penn State. Creative Commons

  • Student career success and economic development: Barron believes the University can deliver greater support for students’ professional achievement while also helping to grow the state’s economy. To accomplish those goals, he has worked to foster a culture of entrepreneurship on and off campus by promoting patents, licensing and startups; investing in innovation; encouraging economic development in the regions surrounding Penn State campuses; embedding student career success in the curriculum and advising; and advancing career readiness through the University’s Career Services. A May 2020 survey of corporate recruiters ranked Penn State 5th in the nation by top corporate college recruiters for preparing students for careers after graduation. The findings echoed a 2018 LinkedIn study in which Penn State ranked No. 2 among top universities for producing CEOs. 
  • Access and affordability: Making sure students are able to afford a high-quality Penn State degree has been a top priority for the University under Barron’s leadership. The collective efforts aimed at access and affordability were unified under the “Achieve Penn State” initiative. Penn State has taken significant steps to keep the cost of tuition in check while also providing support to help students graduate on time and manage debt.
  • Technology and curriculum delivery: Barron envisioned leveraging innovative technology to help Penn State offer a seamless 24/7/365 online experience while making the University more integrated and flexible, allowing students, faculty and staff to achieve their goals regardless of their location in the world. Additionally, the use of technology like AI and virtual reality has been integrated into the curriculum of cutting-edge research and educational programs — from engineering and agriculture to special education and music. 

    Under his One Penn State 2025 vision, the goal is to provide a seamless student experience; offer a unified curriculum that can be delivered across multiple modes and digital platforms; design academic programs that meet professional and societal needs in a timely manner; engage learners throughout their lifetimes; and achieve the highest level of efficient use of University resources. 

    Because of this strong infrastructure and the fact that many faculty were already used to teaching within a flexible environment, the University quickly moved 18,000 courses and 97,000 students to remote delivery in the spring 2020 semester when COVID-19 mitigation efforts impacted universities across the world. 

ribbon cutting

Building a home for student veterans

In November 2019, the University Park campus celebrated the opening of the new Student Veteran Center, located inside a renovated Ritenour Building on the University Park campus. 

The new 6,300-square-foot center consolidated and expanded services, support and activities for student veterans in a central location on campus. The $4 million center serves as the home of the Office of Veterans Programs, which provides assistance with GI Bill benefits, transition-to-college programs, peer-to-peer mentoring and support, and counseling resources.  

The renovated facility includes a student veteran lounge, a study area, and multi-use rooms that provide space for student veteran organizations, support groups and programming for the more than 375 student veterans enrolled at University Park, and those beyond. 

For Barron, who has deep family ties to the military, the opening of the center was a way to honor the service and sacrifice of individuals who served in the armed forces. "I had four uncles who served in World War II and my father was a paratrooper in the Pacific theater," he wrote in his blog. "The experience was profound, and it was followed by the opportunity to gain a college education on the GI Bill." 

"Opening the Student Veteran Center has long been a goal at Penn State," he said. "The Student Veteran Center is not only for University Park student veterans — it will serve student veterans studying at other campuses, using livestream video to present workshops on timely discussions. Creating a successful environment for veterans is a priority for every Penn State campus." 

Penn State President Eric Barron led a group of University and community leaders in the official ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Penn State Student Veteran Center. The facility officially opened on the afternoon of Nov. 15. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Last Updated June 28, 2022

Tags