UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream flavor will get a new name during the months of May and June to celebrate graduates and recognize the successes of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications.
The temporarily renamed "Bellisario College Chocolate Pretzel Crunch" will be available for commencement in early May, when nearly 800 students earn their undergraduate and graduate degrees, and for the Alumni Association’s honorary alumni activities in early June, when Vivienne Bellisario will be recognized as an honorary alumnus of the University.
“The creamery is a fun stop for anyone visiting Penn State, and there will be lots of reasons to be on campus this spring,” Dean Marie Hardin said. “We’re looking forward to giving the Bellisario College community another delicious excuse to visit the creamery.”
The flavor will be available for scooping in the Berkey Creamery’s retail store for two months. Half-gallons featuring a label with Bellisario College branding will be available for purchase in the store or online.
Additional Bellisario College activities and celebrations during the two-month period when the ice cream will be renamed include "Maymester in Manhattan," when a small group of students spends a week in New York City networking with prominent alumni, and the presentation of the Bart Richards Award for Media Criticism, conducted by the Bellisario College at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Bellisario College Chocolate Pretzel Crunch will be available at on-campus activities for prospective students and for celebrations such as Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Father’s Day as well.
The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications was established in April 2017 when the Penn State Board of Trustees expressed its appreciation for a transformative $30 million gift from Donald P. Bellisario, a 1961 Penn State graduate, and his wife, Vivienne. The couple previously endowed the Donald P. Bellisario Trustee Scholarship with a $1 million commitment in 2006.
Penn State’s history of communications education started with the University’s first journalism course in 1911. The first radio course was added in 1941, followed by the first public relations course in 1952. An initial motion-picture course was added in 1957 and a television course in 1958.
The Berkey Creamery has worked with many partners on temporary renaming efforts the past couple of years. This is the first such effort to last two months.
“It’s always exciting to do something new,” said Jim Brown, assistant manager of the creamery. “We’re pleased with the partnership and hope people try Bellisario College Chocolate Pretzel Crunch while it’s available.”
Bellisario College Chocolate Pretzel Crunch will be available on the creamery’s website starting May 1.