| Thousands of adults and children participated in the two-day celebration of the 50th anniversary of the birth of public television at Penn State in April.
Fifty years ago, on April 20, 1952, more than 100 leaders in education, broadcasting and government gathered at The Nittany Lion Inn to accept a challenge from the Federal Communications Commission to envision a noncommercial educational television service. The plans made at Penn State led to the creation of national educational television broadcasting and later to the Public Broadcasting Service, which includes WPSX-TV.
To celebrate this historic gathering, Penn State staff members put together a series of activities for all ages, including a visit by Fred Rogers, Mister Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The photographs on this page highlight the University’s celebration of public television—past, present and future.
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| Blue and White Game: The 50th anniversary of the birth of public broadcasting was highlighted during halftime activities at the annual Blue and White Game. In these photos, members of the Penn State Public Broadcasting Board of Representatives and others affiliated with public broadcasting were invited onto the field and applauded for their contributions to educational television. |
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| Outreach Innovation Building: The new building, to be located at Innovation Park, will house Penn State Public Broadcasting and the Penn State World Campus. Participating in the groundbreaking ceremony are, from left, Julie Cleland, vice chair of the Penn State Public Broadcasting Board of Representatives; Dr. Eva J. Pell, vice president for Research and dean of the Graduate School; Edward R. Hintz Jr., chairman of the Penn State Board of Trustees; Dr. James H. Ryan, vice president for Outreach and Cooperative Extension; and President Graham Spanier. |
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Ice cream social: During an ice cream social, adults and children had an opportunity to eat University Creamery ice cream and meet with Mr. McFeely, a character on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and other children’s television characters, including Clifford, the Big Red Dog, Cookie Monster of Sesame Street and Cassie of Dragon Tales. |
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| Lecture: Fred Rogers shared his insights on the development of educational television for children during a public lecture at University Park campus. More than 800 adults and children attended. Afterward, President Spanier presented Rogers with several commemorative gifts, including a Penn State cardigan sweater to add to his collection. |
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Welcome event: President Spanier and Dr. Sandra Spanier, associate professor of English and women’s studies, welcome Fred Rogers (right) to Penn State. |
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| Penn State Public Broadcasting’s Board of Representatives: In the photo above, Fred Rogers meets with Jane Zimmerman, volunteer chair of the Penn State Public Broadcasting campaign and member of the Penn State Public Broadcasting Board of Representatives, and other board members during a reception at the Zimmerman home. |
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Penn State Public Broadcasting reunion: Past and present staff members of Penn State Public Broadcasting gathered for a reunion at the WPSX-TV studios in Wagner Annex to celebrate the anniversary of public broadcasting. In this photo, Marlowe Froke (left), retired general manager of Penn State Public Broadcasting, and Dr. Charles Hosler, senior vice president for Research and dean of the Graduate School emeritus, were among the participants. |
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