Synopsis
This 60-minute documentary produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting (WPSU-TV) brings to life the people and events that have taken the Commonwealth's land-grant university from its humble roots as the Farmers' High School to an internationally recognized pinnacle of scientific research, sports, academic achievement, agriculture and more. Since the charter of the Farmers' High School was adopted in 1855, America has seen 30 presidents, a civil war, the women's suffrage movement, the Great Depression, two world wars, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the September 11 terrorist attacks but through it all, Penn State has become one of the world's foremost teaching and research institutions, touching nearly every important era and event in American history. Football fans will be pleased to see coverage of the Penn State Nittany Lions football team and its beloved coach, Joe Paterno. Viewers may be further inspired by the efforts of the largest student-run philanthropy in the world - the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON), whose mission is to conquer pediatric cancer.