Under the baobab: Achievements, events and tributes across Happy Valley
Congratulations to Cael Sanderson and the Penn State wrestling team for winning their 14th national championship and an unprecedented fifth in a row. Particular kudos to Mitchell Mesenbrink, Levi Haines, Josh Barr and Luke Lilledahl, who won national titles in their weight division.
Mesenbrink was named outstanding wrestler of the tournament and season. Sanderson, after winning 13 of 15 nationals, ranks among legendary dynastic leaders like Joe Paterno, the winningest football coach of all time; Russ Rose, who had seven national championships including four in a row; UCLA’s basketball coach John Wooden, who won 10 of 12 championships; and Geno Auriemma, UConn Women’s basketball coach who has 12 national championships.
Congrats also to Peter Haglich, who celebrated his 102 birthday, Greg Garner for being named Elk of the Year, and Erica Deuso, the mayor of Downington, for being chosen as grand marshal for this year’s State College Pride celebration.
Rest in peace, Vietnam vet and Bronze Star recipient Robert Muelller. Thank you for your service.
Our community continued to celebrate a cornucopia of multicultural events including Secret Planet’s presentation of the group Yallah, Yallah, which means “Hurry Up” in Arabic, at Manny’s downtown.
The 2026 Osaze’s Heart Scholarship Fundraiser Dinner in State College, “A Taste of the Town,” was held at the State College Borough Municipal Building, honoring Osaze Osagie’s legacy and raising funds for a scholarship awarded to local high school students for community service and mental health advocacy. Osagie was tragically killed by a State College police officer seven years ago as officers were serving a mental health warrant.
The Jaya Dance Academy (JDA) held their annual Bharatanatyam Dance Recital for nearly 300 people at the Mount Nittany Middle School. Janani, which means mother, was a tribute to Smt. Jayamma Mallappa, the mother of JDA founder and guru, Dr. Anitha Vijay. The finale presented episodes from the Ramayana through nine rasas, essential emotions: Veera (courage), Sringara (love), Haasya (humor), Karuna (compassion), Bheebhatsya (disgust), Bhaya (fear), Adbhutha (wonder), Raudra (fury) and Shantha (peace). Proceeds benefit Schlow Centre Region Library.
The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State held its final Joyfull of the season at the Hintz Alumni Center with the Fanoos Ensemble Edition, an Afghani musical group.
Jamie Campbell, associate dean for diversity enhancement, welcomed folks to the 2026 START Conference at HUB’s Alumni Hall. Sarah Senyo and Thomas Maziarz were keynote speakers. Dr. Stephanie Preston, chief diversity officer for graduate education, interviewed Susan L. Taylor, former editor in chief of Essence Magazine and founder of National CARES Mentoring Movement.
Tempest Theatre produced “The Soul Selects, Tea with Emily Dickinson,” a new play based on the life of Emily Dickinson, written and directed by Cynthia Mazzant. It stars Fiona Mulley as Emily and features Mary Rose Valentine and Jessica Karp. It runs through March 29.
A memorial honoring of Prof. John Sanchez will be held at noon on Saturday, March 28, after Grand Entry at the Penn State Powwow located at the C3 Sports Arena. It is the only planned local public event to honor him. Admission to the Powwow is free.
Lastly, our country is still at war. Our young sons and daughters remain in harm’s way. Hundreds of Iranian brothers and sisters have been killed. Thousands are now homeless. The U.S. Constitution continues to be ignored.
“Lighting Candles for Peace” continues at the Allen Street Gates on Monday from 5-5:30 p.m. The Thompson Tuesday protest continues at 4:30 p.m. in front of Congressman G.T. Thompson’s Bellefonte office.
The third “No Kings” protest is on Saturday at 1 p.m. on Old Main lawn, accompanied by a peaceful march downtown. The other “No Kings,” held in June and October 2025, rank among the largest single-day protests in American history, with 5 and 7 million respectively. “No Kings” No. 3 may be even larger. Be strong, be joyous, be safe.
Charles Dumas is a lifelong political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for the U.S. Congress in 2012. He is a Lions Paw honoree. He lives in State College with his wife and partner of over 50 years.