The winning picture in the 2025 Penn State Today spring photo contest was submitted by Bethany Stitzer, an undergraduate student studying biomedical engineering in the College of Engineering. The submitted caption reads: "Spring blossoms surrounding Old Main on a quiet morning, April 17, 2025."
Photo submitted by Nada Darwish, a neonatal-perinatal medicine fellow at Penn State Health Children's Hospital. The submitted caption reads: "I took this photo at the end of my 24-hour shift. I was so happy to walk up to this view in the morning as I headed home."
Photo submitted by Michelle Keith, administrative assistant for housing and food services at Penn State Altoona. The submitted caption reads: "'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' at the Penn State Altoona campus, with a view of the pond and chapel after a spring storm."
Photo submitted by Rebecca Horwitt, programs coordinator at The Arboretum at Penn State. The submitted caption reads: "Native wildflower bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) photographed at the Hartley Wood at the Arboretum at Penn State."
Photo submitted by Natalie Marioni, Penn State Extension educator and master watershed steward coordinator. The submitted caption reads: "Two of my favorite hobbies are photography and 'herping'. Herping is when you go out specifically to find reptiles and amphibians. This is especially fun in the spring when many amphibians search for breeding ponds and when male frogs can be heard calling in sometimes deafening choruses to entice females to mate. Flipping over logs is a great way to find some of Pennsylvania's salamander species, like this Eastern red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus) I found under a log while recently visiting family in New York. Both herping and macro photography provide opportunities to connect with the environment and the role we play as master watershed stewards in helping to restore and conserve habitats."
Photo submitted by Maxmillian Loiacono, an undergraduate student studying computer science in the College of Engineering. The submitted caption reads: "A common honeybee perched on a white flower, April 22, 2025, at the Penn State Arboretum."
Photo submitted by Linda Sanchez, a part-time libraries specialist at Penn State Berks. The submitted caption reads: "Photo of a cherry blossom speckled with rain drops, taken on a rainy Monday in front of Thun Library on the Berks campus."
Photo submitted by Nava Giri, a graduate student studying mechanical engineering at Penn State Harrisburg. The submitted caption reads: "Spring blooms into brilliance at the heart of the Harrisburg campus — where vibrant tulips and clear skies remind us that growth is always in season."
Photo submitted by Jim Strauss, teaching professor of anatomy and physiology in the Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: "Spring redbuds in bloom framing the Nittany Lion shrine at University Park."
Photo submitted by Ayush Pandejee, an undergraduate student studying aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering. The submitted caption reads: "This photo was taken on April 8 outside of Borland Building at University Park."
