UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Sustainability (SustainPSU) is partnering with PSU Votes and local civic groups to kick off the new academic year for students, faculty, staff and the public with the first event in its 2024-25 sustainability public programming. This year’s events open with a focus on the importance of student democratic and civic participation, as seen in a free public film screening and post-film discussion of "Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower" at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the State Theatre in downtown State College.
The theme for SustainPSU’s 2024-25 programming is “Mind Over Matter,” exploring how to become more personally, societally and ecologically resilient by mindfully reconnecting with our core values and aligning with more-than-human nature and place.
“Speaking with campus and community partners, we consistently hear a desire for personal stories,” said Grant Rowe, public programming coordinator for SustainPSU. “With so much difficult news and the stress of upcoming elections, people need programming that tells stories of overcoming struggles, connecting to the values we hold closest, and establishing relationships with people and the planet. We are excited to offer a year of programming that does just that while also building community.”
SustainPSU’s fall 2024 programs include:
- Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. – "Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower" (in-person only at the State Theatre)
- Wednesday, Sept. 18, at noon – Photographer, author and Penn State alumnus Tim Palmer (online and in-person at Foster Auditorium)
- Thursday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. – Artist Diane Burko (online and in-person at Palmer Museum of Art)
- Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. – “Newtok” (online)
- Tuesday, Nov. 12, through Friday, Nov. 15, various – Chef and Indigenous foodways activist Tawnya Brant
- Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. – "Gather" (online)
SustainPSU’s films are offered through the "Intersections" student-led sustainability film program, which features stories of people working at the intersection of social, economic and environmental challenges with a goal towards building community around sustainability at Penn State and beyond. All films highlight the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which serve as the basis for Penn State’s approach to sustainability. All films also feature post-film discussions with Penn State faculty, students and subject matter experts.
The first screening, “Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower” explores the movement in Hong Kong led by teenager Joshua Wong and his friends, who became alarmed when the Chinese government announced changes to the textbooks and teachings about history and government in their schools. Rather than quietly accept their fate, they organized and took to the streets in peaceful protest, forming the Scholarism movement. Despite threats of imprisonment and government pushback, they ignited a pro-democracy movement that stands up for the rights of citizens to determine their own government and future.
"It’s a real David v. Goliath story,” said Jake Hohner, community engagement intern for SustainPSU and third-year student majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology with a minor in chemistry. “It’s so valuable for students to see how Joshua and his friends’ movement grew and inspired real progressive change, and to be reminded that we can make a similar impact with our voices here.”
Preceding the screening of “Joshua,” several local civic groups will be tabling from 6 to 7 p.m. at the State Theatre, sharing opportunities for attendees to engage and volunteer locally, as well as to register to vote. A post-film discussion panel will feature Penn State faculty experts on democratic participation and representatives of local civic groups. The screening is co-sponsored by PSU Votes, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, the League of Women Voters of Centre County, and NextGen America.
“The goal of our programming is to reach and bring together as many different people as possible,” Hohner said. “We want attendees to be exposed to new ideas and opportunities to find inspiration for their own journey toward being a sustainability leader, no matter their career path.”
Speakers featured in the fall programming visit Penn State as part of SustainPSU’s Sustainability Showcase Speaker Series. Through talks, trainings, demonstrations, class visits and community engagement activities, sustainability experts are invited to empower students as sustainability leaders. Portions of each multi-day visit are streamed online to be available to students at all Penn State campuses, and all visits include opportunities for students to build competencies and skills training with the guest experts.
Participants at all SustainPSU events are provided with “next step” handbills, guiding them toward further actions they can take to learn more and get involved with sustainability issues at Penn State. All events are free and open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Except for the first film, all events will be livestreamed online to allow participation from all Penn State campuses.
Pre-registration for films is required and can be completed at intersections.psu.edu. Pre-registration will also be required for online viewers of showcase speaker talks; links are forthcoming.
"Intersections" is starting its sixth year and has drawn nearly 7,000 attendees to more than 50 films since 2019. The Sustainability Showcase Speaker Series, now entering its eighth year, has invited more than 100 experts to Penn State to inspire students on their sustainability journeys. Penn State Sustainability’s Fall 2024 programming is co-presented by the University Park Student Fee Board, WPSU, Penn State’s Center for Global Workers’ Rights, Penn State Water Council, Palmer Museum of Art, College of Arts and Architecture, College of the Liberal Arts and Ross Student Farm.
For more information about the events, or if you are interested in co-sponsoring future events, contact Grant Rowe, public programming coordinator for Penn State Sustainability, at ger5277@psu.edu.