<![CDATA[Penn State Boston - Recent News]]>Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:26:55 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[State of the Chapter 2025]]>Fri, 27 Jun 2025 02:30:30 GMThttp://www.psuboston.org/recent-news/state-of-the-chapter-2025As we close out another incredible year and welcome a newly elected board, I’m honored to share the State of the Chapter for the Greater Boston Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association.
This year has been one of growth, reconnection, and meaningful impact.
We brought our alumni community together through a wide range of events—starting, of course, with our game watches, which continue to be a cornerstone of our chapter’s spirit and energy. From regular Saturdays at The Greatest Bar to the electric atmosphere during the playoff run, we saw record-breaking turnouts and a renewed sense of pride in our Nittany Lions.  We are getting ready for an exciting season this Fall!
But our Chapter is about more than just cheering on our teams (football, hockey, volleyball, lacrosse . . .the list goes on and on). This year we deepened our commitment to service and connection by:
  • Assembling Jared Boxes to support children in local hospitals;
  • ​Volunteering at the Greater Boston Food Bank to fight food insecurity;
  • Co-hosting a networking event with Schreyer Honors College, helping build bridges between students, alumni, and future leaders;
  • ​Gathering for a brewery meetup at Roundhead Brewing Company, fostering casual connections in a vibrant local space;
  • Speaking with prospective students at Undergraduate Admissions Events, including Prospective Student Receptions, Admitted Student Receptions, our annual Student Send Off, and local high school college fairs;
  • ​And fundraising for Boston’s Night of Hope, through a successful 3rd Annual gala, our annual Trivia Night, and our brand new Bingo Night FTK!  We are looking forward to hosting our 4th Annual Night of Hope on October 25th and are hoping this move to the fall increases our ticket sales and also our impact!
These events reflect the strength and heart of our chapter. 
We are. . .rooted in service.  
We are. . .united by pride. 
We are. . .committed to building a community of Penn Staters here in the greater Boston area.
This hard work and spirit didn’t go unnoticed.
We were proud to be recognized by the Penn State Alumni Association as a Group of Distinction at the Elm Level.  This achievement places our Chapter among the highest-performing affiliate groups and reflects the dedication and commitment of our members. We were also recognized by DMAIG as the 2024 DMAIG Fundraiser of the Year for our annual gala, Boston’s Night of Hope.  These awards belong to all of you; our dedicated board, volunteers, and members, who make our work possible and meaningful.
We’ve also seen steady growth in member engagement, with new faces attending events and more alumni stepping up to get involved, especially for our community service events and Night of Hope committees. Our communications are reaching more Penn Staters in Greater Boston than ever before, and we’re working hard to make everyone feel welcome, whether they’ve been here for 10 days or 10 years.
Of course, this year wasn’t without its challenges.
Like many chapters, we’ve wrestled with volunteer burnout, changing event attendance trends, and fundraising hurdles, including seemingly never-ending inflation. But I’m proud to say our board met those head-on with flexibility, creativity, and a shared commitment to our mission.
We leaned into what works, like our partnership with The Greatest Bar, and we experimented with new formats to engage alumni with diverse interests. We also laid the groundwork for better communication and collaboration moving forward.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to build on this momentum.
In the coming year, our goals are clear:

  • Strengthen alumni connections through more diverse programming, including professional networking, family-friendly events, and opportunities to give back.  
  • Grow our impact by increasing our scholarship fundraising and support for local students headed to Penn State.
  • Invest in leadership by mentoring new volunteers, ensuring our board reflects the energy and diversity of our alumni community, and creating sustainable systems for chapter operations. We have a few board positions open (Secretary, DEI/Community Service Chair, Fundraising Chair, and Social Media/Web Chair) and are looking for enthusiastic alumni to help fill those roles.  We are also planning a “Welcome to Boston” event in August to help new graduates and Boston area alumni meet and network.

Above all, we want every Penn Stater in Greater Boston to know: you have a place here. Whether you’ve just moved to the city or have been here for decades, whether you come to every game watch or just follow along online, we are your chapter.
To our outgoing board members: thank you for your dedication and service.
To our newly elected board: congratulations! We’re excited to see where your leadership will take us.

To our members: thank you for showing up, for giving back, and for making this chapter a true community.
For the Glory,
DeeDee DeVore
President, Greater Boston Chapter

]]><![CDATA[Perks of being a PSU Boston Alumni]]>Tue, 02 Apr 2024 16:45:05 GMThttp://www.psuboston.org/recent-news/perks-of-being-a-psu-boston-alumniBesides being able to shout a "We Are. . ." chant at a fellow Penn State fan in the city or seeing at least one Penn State bumper sticker on the Pike, there are many perks of being a PSU Boston Alum!  We are excited to share a few upcoming discounts that are being offered exclusively to the alumni, friends, and fans of Penn State Boston.
  1. See a Broadway Show. . .right here in Boston! "Winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, COMPANY “strikes like a lightning bolt. COMPANY features Sondheim’s award-winning songs You Could Drive a Person Crazy, The Ladies Who Lunch, Side by Side by Side and the iconic Being Alive. Let’s all drink to that!"
    Use this link for special discounted tickets only available to PSU Boston! 
  2. Catch the newest professional sport in Boston: Flag Football! Use this link to buy discounted tickets to the Boston Brigade match on Saturday, May 11th at 1:00!  Your ticket also includes a ticket to the next match at 2:30!
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]]><![CDATA[Night of Hope Early Bird Tickets Ending March 15th]]>Mon, 13 Mar 2023 12:26:04 GMThttp://www.psuboston.org/recent-news/night-of-hope-early-bird-tickets-ending-march-15thDear Penn State Boston Community,

We hope you're doing well and are enjoying the Greater Boston area.  With the promise of warm weather (after this week's nor'easter of course. . .), blooming flowers, and fond memories of walking around Penn State's campus in the springtime, comes another sign of the spring season: the post-THON blues. As we end one chapter of THON's history and begin the next, we continue to be so proud of the year-long effort, which this year managed to raise a record-breaking $15 million dollars!

We're sure you're as excited as we are to see what the future holds for this great philanthropic event- and what better way to enjoy it than by helping out the cause through your local Alumni Chapter's annual fundraising effort?  

We'd love to extend the invitation to this year's Boston Night of Hope on May 20th from 4pm-7pm at D's Keys Dueling Piano Bar in the Seaport.  This is our community's way of giving back and being a part of the magic that is THON weekend.  This semi-formal cocktail style gala includes food, an open bar, a silent auction, fun, and a chance to reconnect with the community we are so proud to be a part of.  Tickets are currently only $65 at early bird pricing.  However, this price only runs through March 15th, so don't delay in getting your tickets locked up today.

Last year was our inaugural event; we managed to raise over $5,000 for THON/Four Diamonds Fund.  We're looking to keep that momentum and smash last year's numbers- will you be able to help us get there?  Buy your tickets today!

http://www.psuboston.org/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

Please follow us on Instagram (@psuboston and @bostonsnightofhope) and share our updates with your friends and family.  We're excited to celebrate and continue this new tradition with you in May!

FTK,
Your Penn State Boston Alumni Chapter]]><![CDATA[Happy New Year, Penn State!]]>Fri, 23 Dec 2022 01:08:20 GMThttp://www.psuboston.org/recent-news/happy-new-year-penn-stateWatch "Our Favorite Things at Penn State," which takes viewers on a walk through the Arboretum.  Thank you to Penn State students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends for being the Alumni Association's #favPSU things!

Also be sure to check out 2022: A Year in Photographs, which reflects on the past year at Penn State!
]]><![CDATA[Four Diamonds Center for Childhood Cancer Innovation]]>Wed, 03 Aug 2022 17:00:24 GMThttp://www.psuboston.org/recent-news/four-diamonds-center-for-childhood-cancer-innovationFrom Four Diamonds:
"The Children’s Hospital and Penn State College of Medicine have officially announced their plans for the creation of the Four Diamonds Center for Childhood Cancer Innovation. This multi-year $24M project will greatly expand Four Diamonds’ mission to find a cure for pediatric cancer.
 
This marks a HUGE step towards the Four Diamonds pediatric oncology program and thanks to generous supporters of THON, Mini-THON and the thousands of Four Diamond’s partners in the fight- new and improved life-saving treatments are within reach."  

Learn more about the new center's plans go to: https://pennstatehealthnews.org/2022/08/four-diamonds-elevates-commitment-to-curing-pediatric-cancer-with-new-dedicated-innovation-center/]]><![CDATA[The Shift Orchestra Project]]>Sat, 16 Jul 2022 19:17:33 GMThttp://www.psuboston.org/recent-news/the-shift-orchestra-projectThe Shift Orchestra Project, founded and led by Penn State alumnus David Flowers, is partnering with Cappella Clausura to produce Sarah Kirkland Snider's "Mass for the Endangered", accompanied by Deborah Johnson's stunning video-artwork. This hauntingly beautiful composition by one of today's leading composers is a reflection on humanity's relationship with nature and the growing climate crisis. Our performance will take place at 5:30PM on September 11th at the Emmanuel Church in downtown Boston, and will also feature works by rising-star and Grammy-nominated performer, Ayanna Woods, and the late Sven-David Sandström. Ticket sales will be opened at the end of this month, but we are presently raising funds to ensure the success of the event. As a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, your contributions are tax-deductible. You can read more about the concert on our website, www.shiftorchestraproject.com, or on our donation page: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/shift-orchestra-project/campaigns/5120

You can also reach out to David directly at daflowersmusic@gmail.com he is always happy to discuss the project and the future plans for the S.O.P.

We are also looking for businesses who are interested in placing ads in our program books. We believe this one-hour event--this invitation to what Deborah Johnson calls "the cathedral of the cosmos"--will be a wonderful opportunity for long-term fans of choral/orchestral music, as well as a brilliant first concert for listeners who have never been to a orchestra, and excellent for a family outing!]]><![CDATA[Upcoming Events]]>Sat, 09 Jul 2022 01:01:59 GMThttp://www.psuboston.org/recent-news/upcoming-events
]]><![CDATA[Thank You!]]>Thu, 30 Jun 2022 15:21:02 GMThttp://www.psuboston.org/recent-news/thank-youThe Greater Boston Chapter would like to say a BIG thank you to our outgoing President, Aaron Pinkett, and our outgoing Social Chair, Grace Desjardins.  For the past few years, Aaron and Grace have been integral members of our Chapter, fearlessly leading our Board, and organizing social events and member gatherings, including our first annual Night of Hope!  We are going to miss Aaron and Grace's leadership and friendship and wish them the very best in their next adventures!]]><![CDATA[Join us For The Kids!]]>Wed, 06 Apr 2022 02:10:32 GMThttp://www.psuboston.org/recent-news/join-us-for-the-kidsYou are cordially invited to our 1st Annual Boston's Night of Hope at D's Keys in the Seaport District on Saturday, May 14, 2022.  
Featuring dinner, dancing, an open bar, and plenty of inspiration, the Night of Hope is Boston’s premier THON fundraising event and 100% of the proceeds directly support THON.
Tickets are available on this website (psuboston.org) through May 10, and we are accepting in-kind donations & monetary sponsorships at a variety of levels if you’re unable to attend but still wish to show your support For The Kids.  Contact us at president@psuboston.org for more information.


WE ARE looking forward to seeing you on May 14!
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]]><![CDATA[Fighting Against Injustice and Racism]]>Wed, 01 Jul 2020 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.psuboston.org/recent-news/student-spotlight-brett-bialDear PSU Boston Community,

We wanted to take a moment and address current events around racial injustice and the need for police reform here in the United States.  We know at times it’s hard to separate from these things, especially now that many of us are working from home, watching more news and getting more notifications.

The current events in our country and around the world are just the most recent reminder that we all experience the world in very different ways.  As such, PSU Boston wanted to be very clear that we are standing with the black community and our current students and alumni fighting against injustice and racism.

The Penn State Alumni Association is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive membership, one where all identities, experiences, and backgrounds come together to create a strong and welcoming alumni community representative of the Penn Staters it proudly serves. Coach James Franklin expressed it perfectly when he said , "Our country is at a critical point, and it's imperative when the road is bumpy, the path convoluted, the reality heartbreaking, we remember who and what We Are."

We Are a community that lives the creed in the alma mater “may no act of ours bring shame.”
We Are a community that stands up with and for each other in the face of adversity.
We Are a community committed to making a positive impact on the world.

PSU Boston will continue to support the black community, and our students and alumni fighting against injustice and racism.  We also wish to acknowledge and thank those members of our community who do this work every day and who have emerged as leaders as we continue to advocate for systemic change across the United States.

On behalf of the entire board, you can expect us to bring these words to action in the coming days, weeks and months ahead through our programming and communications.

In honor of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Elijah McClain and the countless others who have been taken too soon.

We Are,

PSU Boston Board]]>