The winning photo in the 2026 Penn State Today summer photo contest was submitted by Claire Thomas, emerita associate professor of biology and of biochemistry and molecular biology in Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: "This photo was taken on July 11 at a musical concert on the Old Main lawn." Credit: Claire Thomas. All Rights Reserved.
Thank you to all who participated in the Penn State Today 2026 spring photo contest! The winning photo was submitted by Claire Thomas, emerita associate professor of biology and of biochemistry and molecular biology in Eberly College of Science, of the Old Main bell tower at sunset.
See more top overall submissions, as selected by Penn State Today editors, in the gallery below.
Photo submitted by Aduanne Carter, an undergraduate student studying material science and engineering in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. The submitted caption reads: "This photo was taken on July 8, 2026, of the sunset happening in the courtyard between the Business Building and the Forest Resources Building [on the University Park campus]." Credit: Aduanne Carter. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Jasmine Zhao, a doctoral student in the Department of Economics in the College of the Liberal Arts. The submitted caption reads: "A young ruby-throated hummingbird guarding his patch of coral honeysuckle in the Arboretum at Penn State. If you zoom in, you can see his ruby throat popping up!" Credit: Jasmine Zhao. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Jason Vogel, IT support specialist at Penn State Altoona. The submitted caption reads: "A great blue heron enjoys the fountain view at the Penn State Altoona pond on the morning of July 22, patiently eyeing the fish and scaring the local duck and turtle populations." Credit: Jason Vogel. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Ray Sowers, director of renovation and building services in the Office of Physical Plant. The submitted caption reads: "This is a picture of the tower crane at Sackett Building [on the University Park campus] taken from the west side close to the Hintz Alumni Center. The picture was taken at 7:25 a.m. on July 9 and captures the sun trying to break through the heavy morning fog." Credit: Ray Sowers. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Christopher Norris, an undergraduate student studying marketing at Penn State Mont Alto, of Conklin Hall on the Mont Alto campus. Credit: Christopher Norris. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Mitch Spear, research project manager at Penn State Harrisburg. The submitted caption reads: "Summer morning enjoying the flowers and meticulous landscaping of the Vartan Plaza at Penn State Harrisburg." Credit: Mitch Spear. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Kate Rawson, assistant director of the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, a division of Student Affairs. The submitted caption reads: "This photo was taken on June 2 while strolling through the Millennium Science Complex garden. The photographer is looking up toward the clouds while standing in the middle of the garden." Credit: Kate Rawson. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Priyasha Fernando, a graduate student in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. The submitted caption reads: "From the ECoRE Building [at the University Park campus] on July 4, of dark clouds before the storm hits the ground." Credit: Priyasha Fernando. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Kelly Chan, administrative assistant in Academic Affairs at Penn State Abington of the campus' Nittany Lion statue on July 22. Credit: Kelly Chan. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Sam Otieno, a graduate student studying comparative literature in the College of the Liberal Arts, of a view at the Arboretum at Penn State on July 17. Credit: Sam Dennis Otieno. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Gabrielle Zuiker, veterinary technologist in the Animal Resource Program. The submitted caption reads: "This photo was taking on Aug. 6 in the Centralized Biological Laboratory parking lot [on the University Park campus.] After being discovered on the bottom of my car tire and a begrudging relocation, a newly emerged female Neotibicen canicularis cicada decided she would be much more comfortable on my pant leg instead." Credit: Gabrielle Zuiker. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Dennis Shea, associate dean in the College of Health and Human Development. The submitted caption reads: "Visiting the Arboretum, the momma and baby ducks in the lily pond were so adorable." Credit: Dennis Shea. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Darien Reimold, an undergraduate student studying film production at Penn State York. The submitted caption reads: "The Nittany Lion mascot statue sitting outside the Bradley Building between pink flowers on Aug. 1 at the Penn State York campus." Credit: Darien R. Reimold. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Brenda Zinram, a staff member at Penn State Behrend, of a squirrel looking into the weight room in Erie Hall at the Behrend campus. Credit: Brenda Z.. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Genia Harpster, administrative assistant for Penn State Ag Progress Days Facility in the College of Agricultural Sciences. The submitted photo reads: "Looking west from the Ag Progress Days wheat field, the setting sun paints the horizon in soft shades of orange, pink and gold. The foreground is filled with a broad expanse of ripening wheat, its golden heads stretching across gently rolling ground. A dark tree line frames the horizon, creating a striking contrast against the colorful evening sky. Wispy clouds catch the last light of day, spreading warm pastel tones across the landscape and highlighting the peaceful beauty of central Pennsylvania farmland at sunset on July 14, 2026. Credit: Genia Harpster. All Rights Reserved.
The winning photo in the 2026 Penn State Today summer photo contest was submitted by Claire Thomas, emerita associate professor of biology and of biochemistry and molecular biology in Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: "This photo was taken on July 11 at a musical concert on the Old Main lawn." Credit: Claire Thomas. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Aduanne Carter, an undergraduate student studying material science and engineering in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. The submitted caption reads: "This photo was taken on July 8, 2026, of the sunset happening in the courtyard between the Business Building and the Forest Resources Building [on the University Park campus]." Credit: Aduanne Carter. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Jasmine Zhao, a doctoral student in the Department of Economics in the College of the Liberal Arts. The submitted caption reads: "A young ruby-throated hummingbird guarding his patch of coral honeysuckle in the Arboretum at Penn State. If you zoom in, you can see his ruby throat popping up!" Credit: Jasmine Zhao. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Jason Vogel, IT support specialist at Penn State Altoona. The submitted caption reads: "A great blue heron enjoys the fountain view at the Penn State Altoona pond on the morning of July 22, patiently eyeing the fish and scaring the local duck and turtle populations." Credit: Jason Vogel. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Ray Sowers, director of renovation and building services in the Office of Physical Plant. The submitted caption reads: "This is a picture of the tower crane at Sackett Building [on the University Park campus] taken from the west side close to the Hintz Alumni Center. The picture was taken at 7:25 a.m. on July 9 and captures the sun trying to break through the heavy morning fog." Credit: Ray Sowers. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Christopher Norris, an undergraduate student studying marketing at Penn State Mont Alto, of Conklin Hall on the Mont Alto campus. Credit: Christopher Norris. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Mitch Spear, research project manager at Penn State Harrisburg. The submitted caption reads: "Summer morning enjoying the flowers and meticulous landscaping of the Vartan Plaza at Penn State Harrisburg." Credit: Mitch Spear. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Kate Rawson, assistant director of the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, a division of Student Affairs. The submitted caption reads: "This photo was taken on June 2 while strolling through the Millennium Science Complex garden. The photographer is looking up toward the clouds while standing in the middle of the garden." Credit: Kate Rawson. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Priyasha Fernando, a graduate student in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. The submitted caption reads: "From the ECoRE Building [at the University Park campus] on July 4, of dark clouds before the storm hits the ground." Credit: Priyasha Fernando. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Kelly Chan, administrative assistant in Academic Affairs at Penn State Abington of the campus' Nittany Lion statue on July 22. Credit: Kelly Chan. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Sam Otieno, a graduate student studying comparative literature in the College of the Liberal Arts, of a view at the Arboretum at Penn State on July 17. Credit: Sam Dennis Otieno. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Gabrielle Zuiker, veterinary technologist in the Animal Resource Program. The submitted caption reads: "This photo was taking on Aug. 6 in the Centralized Biological Laboratory parking lot [on the University Park campus.] After being discovered on the bottom of my car tire and a begrudging relocation, a newly emerged female Neotibicen canicularis cicada decided she would be much more comfortable on my pant leg instead." Credit: Gabrielle Zuiker. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Dennis Shea, associate dean in the College of Health and Human Development. The submitted caption reads: "Visiting the Arboretum, the momma and baby ducks in the lily pond were so adorable." Credit: Dennis Shea. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Darien Reimold, an undergraduate student studying film production at Penn State York. The submitted caption reads: "The Nittany Lion mascot statue sitting outside the Bradley Building between pink flowers on Aug. 1 at the Penn State York campus." Credit: Darien R. Reimold. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Brenda Zinram, a staff member at Penn State Behrend, of a squirrel looking into the weight room in Erie Hall at the Behrend campus. Credit: Brenda Z.. All Rights Reserved.
Photo submitted by Genia Harpster, administrative assistant for Penn State Ag Progress Days Facility in the College of Agricultural Sciences. The submitted photo reads: "Looking west from the Ag Progress Days wheat field, the setting sun paints the horizon in soft shades of orange, pink and gold. The foreground is filled with a broad expanse of ripening wheat, its golden heads stretching across gently rolling ground. A dark tree line frames the horizon, creating a striking contrast against the colorful evening sky. Wispy clouds catch the last light of day, spreading warm pastel tones across the landscape and highlighting the peaceful beauty of central Pennsylvania farmland at sunset on July 14, 2026. Credit: Genia Harpster. All Rights Reserved.
The winning photo in the 2026 Penn State Today summer photo contest was submitted by Claire Thomas, emerita associate professor of biology and of biochemistry and molecular biology in Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: "This photo was taken on July 11 at a musical concert on the Old Main lawn." Credit: Claire Thomas. All Rights Reserved.
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