Weekly Wrap: Innovation Gateway; Early retirement; Covering the Paralympics

A look back at the top stories for the week of Aug. 28

This week's top stories from across Penn State:

INNOVATION GATEWAY: Penn State’s Office of Industrial Partnerships has announced the creation of a new, interactive online platform that will help the University’s researchers collaborate better with industry, increase commercialization opportunities and obtain new funding sources for research projects.

EARLY RETIREMENT: In September, based on a specific set of criteria, Penn State will offer some retirement-eligible employees University-wide the opportunity for voluntary retirement.

CAPS CHAT: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), a unit of Student Affairs, has launched an embedded counselor program for fall 2016. The program places counselors in South Halls where they are providing a new service, CAPS Chat, which offers informal, drop-in meetings for students.

COVERING THE PARALYMPICS: A team of Penn State students in the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism will travel to Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 9 for 10 days to report on the world’s second-largest multi-sport festival as part of a partnership with The Associated Press and the University of Georgia.

GRAD STUDENT RESEARCH: Fungus gnats can zero in on the aroma of a particular fungus in a heap of compost. They also have a voracious appetite for the tender mushrooms that contribute $2 billion to Pennsylvania's economy each year. Entomology grad student Kevin Cloonan is developing ways to turn their exquisite sense of smell against them.

INVENT PENN STATE: Hunter Swisher, a plant science major at Penn State hasn’t graduated, but he’s already taken what’s he learned and turned it into a start-up business: a product that not only reduces phosphorus run-off from golf courses but makes better turf. He was one of the speakers who was part of a panel discussion Tuesday focused on Invent Penn State, research and fostering entrepreneurship and community partnerships.

PENN STATE LAW: As Penn State Law celebrates its 10-year anniversary in University Park, we take a look back at the faculty, staff and students who have helped make this decade of world-class legal education possible.

TOP ENGINEERING TALENT: For the fourth time in six years, Penn State topped the list of preferred suppliers of engineering talent to the aerospace and defense industry, according to the Aviation Week 2016 Workforce Study. 

SEASON OPENER: The Penn State football team opens its 130th campaign at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, hosting Kent State, in Beaver Stadium. Penn State will provide security screening for all guests this season at entry gates using metal detection wands. All public gates will open two hours prior to kickoff to provide ample time for fans to pass through security.

Last Updated September 1, 2016