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."
Thank you to all who participated in the 2025 Penn State Today spring photo contest! We received an incredible selection of photos showcasing spring at Penn State. The winning photo was submitted by Bethany Stitzer, an undergraduate student studying biomedical engineering at University Park, and highlights spring blossoms surrounding Old Main on a quiet April morning.
See more top overall submissions, as selected by Penn State Today editors, in the gallery below. And, stay tuned to future issues of Penn State Today for more great pictures submitted by members of the University community.
Photo submitted by Andrew D. Regan, an undergraduate studying enterprise technology integration in the College of Information Sciences and Technology. The submitted caption reads: "Two tiny flowers finally poking out of the the ground after a long, unpredictable winter. The sun casting behind them to illuminate them, only amplifying their presence in that moment. This photo was taken around 6 p.m. on March 22, 2025, underneath the trees right outside of Atherton Hall.
Photo submitted by Jacob Brandes, an undergraduate student studying criminology in the College of the Liberal Arts. The submitted caption reads: "An eastern chipmunk holds a nut near the Walker Building at University Park."
Photo submitted by Kyle Elliott, an undergraduate student studying accounting in the Smeal College of Business. The submitted caption reads: "Tulips in full bloom in front of Old Main at University Park, April 29, 2025."
Photo submitted by Theresa Giardino, regional senior director for campus relations in the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses. The submitted caption reads: "This is my 'Light on Leaves' photo of Old Willow 4, taken on the Penn State Abington campus the morning of April 9, 2025."
Photo submitted by Ethan Schneider, an undergraduate student studying hospitality management in the College of Health and Human Development. The submitted caption reads: "A Penn State logo above pink flowers at University Park."
Photo submitted by Emily Eckley, campus staff assistant for Career Services at the Commonwealth Campuses in Student Affairs. The submitted caption reads: "Tulips in bloom at the Penn State Arboretum on April 27, 2025."
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."
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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."
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."
