Tim Palmer, Penn State alumnus and award-winning photographer and author of 33 books about conservation, adventure travel, and rivers. Tim joined us for a public talk and book signing in September 2024 to discuss his latest book Seek Higher Ground: The Natural Solution to Our Flooding Crisis.

Diane Burko, award-winning Pennsylvania-based photographer and artist, whose work is featured in the newly reopened Palmer Museum’s inaugural exhibition Made in PA. Diane joined us for a public artist talk at the Palmer Museum of Art in October 2024, as well as for critiques with Penn State art students, and meetings and roundtables with campus and community groups.

Tawnya Brant, entrepreneur, author, Top Chef Canada competitor and leader in the Indigenous food sovereignty movement. Tawnya joined us in November 2024 for a film panel, cooking demonstration, special dinner with Penn State Dining Services, and meetings with community and campus groups.

Pattie Gonia, drag queen, environmentalist, and activist working on more inclusivity in outdoor activities. Pattie is joining us on Tuesday,March 25, 2025 for a student roundtable, climbing wall open house, and keynote talk at the HUB-Robeson Center. More information about Pattie’s visit is forthcoming, including pre-registration information (the keynote will be free and open to the public).

We are grateful to all of our Showcase guests for sharing their time and expertise with Penn State. We especially thank (and encourage you to explore the work of) last year’s speakers:

Till Kellerhoff, program director for the Club of Rome and program lead of Earth4All, a global collective of scientists, economists, communicators, and advocates working in 5 areas to turnaround modern economies and focus on more sustainable ways of societal living. Till joined us in October 2023 as part of the warmup events towards our fall 2023 Colloquium on the Environment with Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, co-chair of the Club of Rome.

Freddie Bitsoie, an award-winning Diné chef and author of New Native Kitchen: Celebrating Modern Recipes of the American Indian. Freddie joined us for a cooking demonstration with Penn State’s Student Farm, a public talk, demonstration at State College High School, and other events as part of Native American Heritage Month in November 2023.

Geoff Dembicki, award-winning journalist and author of The Petroleum Papers, named a Best Book of 2022 by the Washington Post and others, which explores the history of how much fossil fuel energy companies knew about the likely effects of climate change decades ago. Geoff joined us for a public talk, Q&As with local high school students and community groups, and a book reading in February 2024.

Heather Swan, award-winning eco-poet, author, and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, whose most recent book Where the Grass Still Sings was published by Penn State University Press in May 2024. Heather joined us for a public talk, a nature-writing workshop, poetry reading, and more events exploring humans’ relationships with the insect world in March 2024.

To keep up-to-date with the latest news about what our Showcase guests will be doing during their visits, please sign-up for our Mainstream Newsletter or check out our Sustainability Calendar of Events.