The winning picture in the 2025 Penn State Today summer photo contest was submitted by Shrinishtaa Srinivas, an undergraduate student studying film and communications at Penn State Harrisburg. The submitted caption reads: "This photo, taken in late summer 2024, shows blooming tropical hibiscus flowers in front of the Vartan Plaza fountain at the Harrisburg campus. I took the picture for my COMM 215 basic photography course."
Thank you to all who participated in the 2025 Penn State Today summer photo contest! We received an incredible selection of photos showcasing summer at Penn State. The winning photo was submitted by Shrinishtaa Srinivas, an undergraduate student studying film and communications at Penn State Harrisburg, of blooming canna lilly flowers in front of the Vartan Plaza fountain at the Harrisburg campus.
See more top overall submissions, as selected by Penn State Today editors, in the gallery below.
Photo submitted by Sara P. Brennan, communications director for the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center in the College of Health and Human Development. The submitted caption reads: "I took this photo on July 23, 2025, at the Arboretum at Penn State. This majestic Red Elm (Ulmus rubra) has become a Penn State landmark in its own right. The sunlight streaming through the tree branches evokes the feeling of happy summer evenings spent outdoors."
Photo submitted by Amanda Trievel, digital strategy lead for strategic communications and community engagement at Penn State Abington. The submitted caption reads: "Turtles basking in the sun on the longest summer day of the year, June 20, 2025, at the Abington campus."
Photo submitted by Beth Tuschhoff, a graduate student pursuing a doctorate in quantitative ecology in the Eberly College of Science, of flowers at the Arboretum in early June. The submitted caption reads: "Looking to the sky."
Photo submitted by Oscar Cartagena, digital content creator at Penn State Harrisburg. The submitted caption reads: "'A Curious Encounter at Vartan Plaza.' I was out on assignment trying to capture the wild animals of Penn State Harrisburg when I spotted a squirrel high up in the trees near Vartan Plaza on June 12, 2025. As I got closer, the squirrel started acting a little suspicious but also strangely interested in me. We both inched toward each other, almost like a game of trust. It felt like the campus critter was waiting for its moment to shine. The photo shows it striking a pose like a true model — fluffy tail on point, eyes locked on the lens and an expression that says, 'Did you get my good side?'"
Photo submitted by Laura Galvão Coelho, a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in art history in the College of Arts and Architecture. The submitted caption reads: "A shot of flowers in front of the Palmer Museum of Art, taken June 10, 2025."
Photo submitted by Mikael Atnafu, an undergraduate student studying biochemistry and molecular biology in the Eberly College of Science, of the Old Main bell tower on July 24, 2025.
Photo submitted by Nicholas Bianchi, an undergraduate student studying aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering. The submitted caption reads: "I took this picture outside my current residence hall at University Park, Pinchot Hall, on July 17, 2025."
Photo submitted by Maria Barsukova, a graduate student studying physics in the Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: "Leafbird in Flight: This is a delicate leaf shaped like a hummingbird, spotted during an evening stroll through the Arboretum on July 18, 2025. Such a nice nature's mimicry!"
Photo submitted by Cheryl Pecoraro-Cuevas, a student studying human resources and labor relations in Penn State World Campus. The submitted caption reads: "As a World Campus student, my classroom is wherever the Wi-Fi is strong and the sunsets are inspiring. My photo is a creative interpretation of my 'Penn State campus,' because my campus is wherever I log in, study and experience my Penn State journey. This is what summer at my campus looks like! As a World Campus student on the West Coast, I learn with the sunset, hustle with the tide, and carry the blue and white and spirit of Penn State across time zones. I am proof that you can chase your dreams and still catch a sunset. No matter the coast, 'We Are Penn State!'"
Photo submitted by Yana Safonova, assistant professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Engineering. The submitted caption reads: "As I walked along Lake Perez at Penn State's Stone Valley Recreation Area on July 21, 2025, I spotted this bald eagle perched in a tree, scanning the water. The moment it noticed me, it locked eyes, spread the wings and launched into flight. With a few powerful flaps, it soared upward and disappeared in the sky. Once endangered in Pennsylvania, the bald eagle population is now coming back and reminds us that nature is strong, resilient and fragile at the same time."
Photo submitted by Jeff Shultz, financial associate in the College of the Liberal Arts. The submitted caption reads: "A section of Beaver Stadium as seen behind a cluster of flowers on July 28, 2025."
Photo submitted by Theresa Giardino, senior director for regional campus strategy and planning for the Commonwealth Campuses. The submitted caption reads: "This photo was taken at 6:45 a.m. on July 23, 2025, a beautiful sunny morning on Penn State's Lehigh Valley campus."
Photo submitted by Jordan DeLauer, an undergraduate student studying electrical engineering at Penn State Behrend. The submitted caption reads: "A loving pair of barred owls on the edge of the Behrend campus. This pair of barred owls began sharing a nest together at the start of the summer and would spend their time hunting together, preening each other, sharing food and sharing affection."
Photo submitted by Todd C. Pontius, general chemistry lecturer in the Eberly College of Science. The submitted caption reads: "This photo depicts Happy Valley as a storm passes through. There was a quick and turbulent downpour that hit Medlar Field, which gave way to a vibrant rainbow and a gorgeous evening as the storm moved along the Mount Nittany ridge."
Photo submitted by Jason A. Reuscher, research and instruction librarian at Penn State Schuylkill, of ripening blackberries on the Schuylkill campus, July 24, 2025.
Photo submitted by Mary Krupa, conservation interpreter at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center. The submitted caption reads: "Jane, a sandhill crane, walks the trails at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center on July 24, 2025. Jane is an ambassador animal at Shaver's Creek's Klingsberg Aviary, where she helps to educate and inspire conservation action. Jane takes regular walks supervised by staff and students in the center's wildlife education program."
The winning picture in the 2025 Penn State Today summer photo contest was submitted by Shrinishtaa Srinivas, an undergraduate student studying film and communications at Penn State Harrisburg. The submitted caption reads: "This photo, taken in late summer 2024, shows blooming tropical hibiscus flowers in front of the Vartan Plaza fountain at the Harrisburg campus. I took the picture for my COMM 215 basic photography course."
