The winning image in the 2026 Penn State Today winter photo contest was submitted by Ireland McDyre, an undergraduate student studying linguistics and anthropology at University Park. The submitted caption reads: “This photo was taken on Feb. 5, 2026, at the Penn State Dairy Barns, looking out to Beaver Stadium. Pictured is Andrew Dutrow, a dairy barn employee.” Credit: Ireland McDyre. All Rights Reserved.
Thank you to all who participated in the 2026 Penn State Today winter photo contest! The winning photo was submitted by Ireland McDyre, an undergraduate student studying linguistics and anthropology at University Park, of Andrew Dutrow, a barn utility worker in the Dairy Complex at the College of Agricultural Sciences.
See more top overall submissions, as selected by Penn State Today editors, in the gallery below.
Photo submitted by Charlie Anderson, professor of biology in Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: “A female Northern cardinal in a snowstorm on Jan. 26, 2026, in State College.” Credit: Charlie Anderson. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Yagna Oza, lab coordinator in the Department of Biobehavioral Health in the College of Health and Human Development. The submitted caption reads: “This photography was taken on campus near the South Allen Street bus stop, around 4 p.m. on Feb. 6 when it was snowing perfect snowflakes. I was able to capture one just sitting over a spoke of this shrub.” Credit: Yagna Oza. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Sharon Siegfried, manager of visual communications at Penn State Harrisburg. The submitted caption reads: “With silvery, soft and fuzzy coating the catkins have emerged, thriving in full sun and signaling the season’s start.” Credit: Sharon Siegfried. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Lauren McPhillips, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, and of agricultural and biological engineering, at University Park. The submitted caption reads: “Footprints and ski tracks from folks out enjoying the snow at the Penn State Golf Courses.” Credit: Lauren McPhillips. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Ruth Fleck, a member of the Labor and Employee Relations team in Penn State Human Resources. The submitted caption reads: “A cardinal at the Arboretum in December.” Credit: Ruth Fleck. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Heidi Reuter, adjunct instructor of photography at Penn State Berks. The submitted caption reads: “Inside Gaige Building at Penn State Berks. I chose this image because it feels like winter on our campus without ever showing snow, which honestly feels never-ending this season. It reflects how campus life shifts indoors this time of year and is quieter and more reflective. The lines, repeating shapes and upward perspective, along with the conversion to black and white, let me focus on the geometry and light.” Credit: Heidi Reuter. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by MD Mashfiqur Rahman, a graduate student in the College of Engineering. The submitted caption reads: “Captured at the start of the new year, this image showcases the iconic Nittany Lion Shrine at University Park during a heavy winter snowfall. The photograph, taken on Jan. 1, 2026, features the massive limestone Lion — a gift from the class of 1940 — rendered in a dramatic high-contrast black and white. The heavy snow creates a thick, textured veil of white flakes cross the dark, wooded background, with fresh powder accumulating along the Lion’s back, ears and paws. Credit: MD Mashfiqur Rahman. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Sunshine Tian, a graduate student studying nutritional sciences in the College of Health and Human Development. The submitted caption reads: “A roadside light with a stacking of snow in my neighborhood complex.” Credit: Sunshine Tian. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Keith Koenig, adjunct lecturer in the School of Science, Engineering, and Technology at Penn State Harrisburg. The submitted caption reads: “This photo was taken on Dec. 14, 2025, on the Harrisburg campus. It was taken early in the morning, illuminated with warm winter sunlight.” Credit: Keith Koenig. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Manan Saini, an undergraduate student studying geosciences in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS). The submitted photo reads: “A lone tree seen through the window of the birdhouse at the Arboretum at University Park.” Credit: Manan Saini. All Rights Reserved.
Photo taken by Dylan Leve, an undergraduate student at Penn State World Campus. The picture shows an aerial shot of the University Campus, with the Bryce Jordan Center shining rainbow lights in the center of the photo. Credit: Dylan Leve. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Tracy Getz, a Penn State alumnus and lifelong member of the State College community. The picture, captioned "Penn State Snow Day," shows a snowy scene on the Old Main lawn 11 years ago, on Jan. 24, 2015. Credit: Tracy Getz. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Kimberly Albright, package room coordinator in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department in Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: “An American robin in Penn State tree No. 2005, Malus (crabapple), on the northeast side of the Armsby Building at University Park.” Credit: Kimberly Albright. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Pam Lugliani, administrative support assistant for Penn State Extension in Erie County. The submitted caption reads: “This photo was taken on Jan. 16, 2026, outside the Penn State Extension office in Erie County, which is located on the Penn State Behrend campus. The area we work in, and the campus in general, is absolutely beautiful — especially after a snowstorm!” Credit: Pam Lugliani. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Julia Otulak, science and engineering adviser at Penn State Abington. The submitted caption reads: “Penn State Abington’s pond and Woodland Building on Jan. 28, 2026.” Credit: Julia I. Otulak. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Ben Friesen, multimedia production coordinator at Penn State Behrend. The submitted caption reads: “During the first significant snowfall at the Behrend campus, this tree near the Glenhill Farmhouse presented a beautiful display as it lost the rest of its leaves.” Credit: Ben Friesen. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Amy Lacko, accountant in the Office of Budget and Finance. The submitted caption reads: “A snowy greeting from Old Main, taken after the delayed campus opening on Dec. 2. Look for the handprint on Mr. Snowman’s waist!” Credit: Amy Lacko. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Joe Klein, an undergraduate student studying photojournalism in the Bellisario College of Communications. The submitted caption reads: “A football sits in the snow on Jan. 25, 2026, at University Park.” Credit: Joe Klein. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Audrey Cobb, an undergraduate student studying corporate communications at Penn State Scranton. The submitted caption reads: “This photo was taken on Feb. 9 in front of the Gallagher Building on the Scranton campus. It is the beautiful scenery you get to view in between classes!” Credit: Audrey Cobb. All Rights Reserved.
The winning image in the 2026 Penn State Today winter photo contest was submitted by Ireland McDyre, an undergraduate student studying linguistics and anthropology at University Park. The submitted caption reads: “This photo was taken on Feb. 5, 2026, at the Penn State Dairy Barns, looking out to Beaver Stadium. Pictured is Andrew Dutrow, a dairy barn employee.” Credit: Ireland McDyre. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Charlie Anderson, professor of biology in Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: “A female Northern cardinal in a snowstorm on Jan. 26, 2026, in State College.” Credit: Charlie Anderson. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Yagna Oza, lab coordinator in the Department of Biobehavioral Health in the College of Health and Human Development. The submitted caption reads: “This photography was taken on campus near the South Allen Street bus stop, around 4 p.m. on Feb. 6 when it was snowing perfect snowflakes. I was able to capture one just sitting over a spoke of this shrub.” Credit: Yagna Oza. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Sharon Siegfried, manager of visual communications at Penn State Harrisburg. The submitted caption reads: “With silvery, soft and fuzzy coating the catkins have emerged, thriving in full sun and signaling the season’s start.” Credit: Sharon Siegfried. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Lauren McPhillips, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, and of agricultural and biological engineering, at University Park. The submitted caption reads: “Footprints and ski tracks from folks out enjoying the snow at the Penn State Golf Courses.” Credit: Lauren McPhillips. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Ruth Fleck, a member of the Labor and Employee Relations team in Penn State Human Resources. The submitted caption reads: “A cardinal at the Arboretum in December.” Credit: Ruth Fleck. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Heidi Reuter, adjunct instructor of photography at Penn State Berks. The submitted caption reads: “Inside Gaige Building at Penn State Berks. I chose this image because it feels like winter on our campus without ever showing snow, which honestly feels never-ending this season. It reflects how campus life shifts indoors this time of year and is quieter and more reflective. The lines, repeating shapes and upward perspective, along with the conversion to black and white, let me focus on the geometry and light.” Credit: Heidi Reuter. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by MD Mashfiqur Rahman, a graduate student in the College of Engineering. The submitted caption reads: “Captured at the start of the new year, this image showcases the iconic Nittany Lion Shrine at University Park during a heavy winter snowfall. The photograph, taken on Jan. 1, 2026, features the massive limestone Lion — a gift from the class of 1940 — rendered in a dramatic high-contrast black and white. The heavy snow creates a thick, textured veil of white flakes cross the dark, wooded background, with fresh powder accumulating along the Lion’s back, ears and paws. Credit: MD Mashfiqur Rahman. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Sunshine Tian, a graduate student studying nutritional sciences in the College of Health and Human Development. The submitted caption reads: “A roadside light with a stacking of snow in my neighborhood complex.” Credit: Sunshine Tian. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Keith Koenig, adjunct lecturer in the School of Science, Engineering, and Technology at Penn State Harrisburg. The submitted caption reads: “This photo was taken on Dec. 14, 2025, on the Harrisburg campus. It was taken early in the morning, illuminated with warm winter sunlight.” Credit: Keith Koenig. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Manan Saini, an undergraduate student studying geosciences in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS). The submitted photo reads: “A lone tree seen through the window of the birdhouse at the Arboretum at University Park.” Credit: Manan Saini. All Rights Reserved.
Photo taken by Dylan Leve, an undergraduate student at Penn State World Campus. The picture shows an aerial shot of the University Campus, with the Bryce Jordan Center shining rainbow lights in the center of the photo. Credit: Dylan Leve. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Tracy Getz, a Penn State alumnus and lifelong member of the State College community. The picture, captioned "Penn State Snow Day," shows a snowy scene on the Old Main lawn 11 years ago, on Jan. 24, 2015. Credit: Tracy Getz. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Kimberly Albright, package room coordinator in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department in Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: “An American robin in Penn State tree No. 2005, Malus (crabapple), on the northeast side of the Armsby Building at University Park.” Credit: Kimberly Albright. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Pam Lugliani, administrative support assistant for Penn State Extension in Erie County. The submitted caption reads: “This photo was taken on Jan. 16, 2026, outside the Penn State Extension office in Erie County, which is located on the Penn State Behrend campus. The area we work in, and the campus in general, is absolutely beautiful — especially after a snowstorm!” Credit: Pam Lugliani. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Julia Otulak, science and engineering adviser at Penn State Abington. The submitted caption reads: “Penn State Abington’s pond and Woodland Building on Jan. 28, 2026.” Credit: Julia I. Otulak. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Ben Friesen, multimedia production coordinator at Penn State Behrend. The submitted caption reads: “During the first significant snowfall at the Behrend campus, this tree near the Glenhill Farmhouse presented a beautiful display as it lost the rest of its leaves.” Credit: Ben Friesen. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Amy Lacko, accountant in the Office of Budget and Finance. The submitted caption reads: “A snowy greeting from Old Main, taken after the delayed campus opening on Dec. 2. Look for the handprint on Mr. Snowman’s waist!” Credit: Amy Lacko. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Joe Klein, an undergraduate student studying photojournalism in the Bellisario College of Communications. The submitted caption reads: “A football sits in the snow on Jan. 25, 2026, at University Park.” Credit: Joe Klein. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Audrey Cobb, an undergraduate student studying corporate communications at Penn State Scranton. The submitted caption reads: “This photo was taken on Feb. 9 in front of the Gallagher Building on the Scranton campus. It is the beautiful scenery you get to view in between classes!” Credit: Audrey Cobb. All Rights Reserved.
The winning image in the 2026 Penn State Today winter photo contest was submitted by Ireland McDyre, an undergraduate student studying linguistics and anthropology at University Park. The submitted caption reads: “This photo was taken on Feb. 5, 2026, at the Penn State Dairy Barns, looking out to Beaver Stadium. Pictured is Andrew Dutrow, a dairy barn employee.” Credit: Ireland McDyre. All Rights Reserved.
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