James Franklin Fired as Penn State Coach After Turbulent 2025 Start

## Overview Pennsylvania State University, commonly known as Penn State, is a major public research university and Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution. It is renowned for its comprehensive mission of teaching, research, and public service, aiming to “improve the lives of the people of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality programs in teaching, research, and service”[5]. Penn State’s main campus is located in University Park, with 19 branch campuses across the state, a medical school in Hershey, a law school in Dickinson, and additional specialized institutions[5]. The university offers a broad range of degrees—associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional—as well as continuing education programs[5]. ## History Founded in 1855 as the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State’s origins reflect its commitment to practical education[1][2]. The institution was established with a 200-acre land donation from James Irvin and was initially focused on applying scientific principles to farming[1][3]. It was renamed the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania in 1862 and became the state’s land-grant college following the passage of the Morrill Act in 1863[2][3]. Under the leadership of President George W. Atherton in the 1880s, the curriculum expanded to include engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, and more, aligning with the broader mandate of land-grant institutions[1][2]. The university’s name changed to Pennsylvania State College in 1874 and finally to Pennsylvania State University in 1953[2][3]. ## Key Achievements Penn State has a long tradition of innovation in education and research. It was among the first institutions to integrate cooperative extension and outreach programs in the early 1900s, extending its academic influence statewide[1]. The university’s engineering program quickly became one of the ten largest in the nation[

## Overview The **Nittany Lions** are the athletic teams representing Pennsylvania State University, competing primarily in NCAA Division I as a member of the Big Ten Conference[2]. The exception is the women’s basketball team, known as the Lady Lions. The program’s distinctive blue and white colors and the Nittany Lion mascot are instantly recognizable, reflecting a tradition that dates back to the 19th century[2]. ## What the Organization Does Penn State Athletics encompasses 31 varsity sports, fielding teams in nearly every major collegiate sport, including football, basketball, wrestling, hockey, and more[2]. The organization not only competes at the highest level of college sports but also emphasizes academic excellence, producing both professional athletes and successful graduates. The Nittany Lion Club serves as the philanthropic arm, raising funds to support scholarships, medical care, academic support, and state-of-the-art facilities for over 850 student-athletes[3][4]. As of 2025, the club has approximately 20,000 members, whose donations are vital since the athletics program receives no state or university funding for operating expenses[4]. ## History and Key Achievements Penn State’s football program, established in 1887, is one of the most storied in college football history, known for its passionate fanbase and iconic traditions like the “White Out” at Beaver Stadium, which draws over 100,000 fans[1]. The university joined the Big Ten in 1991 and has since won 124 conference championships (92 regular season, 32 tournament)[2]. Penn State has consistently ranked in the top 25 of the NACDA Directors’ Cup, a measure of overall athletic success, finishing as high as third nationally in 1998–99[2]. The wrestling program, supported by the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, has produced numerous Olympic and world champions, further elevating the university’s athletic reputation[5]. ## Current Status

## Overview The Big Ten Conference, officially known as the Big Ten, is one of the oldest and most prestigious collegiate athletic conferences in the United States, but its influence extends far beyond sports. Founded in 1896 as the Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives—also known as the Western Conference—the Big Ten was initially created to standardize rules and improve safety in college football, which was growing rapidly in popularity at the time[1][3]. Its founding members included the Universities of Chicago, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Northwestern[1][3]. ## Historical Development Over the decades, the Big Ten has undergone several significant changes. Iowa and Indiana joined in 1899, and Ohio State was added in 1912[3]. The conference experienced a notable departure when the University of Michigan left temporarily from 1907 to 1916 due to disagreements over rules, only to return and solidify the “Big Ten” moniker[1][2]. The University of Chicago withdrew in 1946, but Michigan State’s addition in 1949 restored the conference to ten members[3]. The conference remained stable for nearly 40 years before a new era of expansion began in 1990 with the addition of Penn State, followed by Nebraska in 2011, Maryland and Rutgers in 2014, and most recently, Oregon, USC, Washington, and UCLA in 2024, bringing the total to 18 members[3][5]. ## Key Achievements and Notable Aspects The Big Ten is renowned for its combination of athletic excellence and academic rigor. It pioneered the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1915, recognizing student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom[5]. The conference also established the first permanent bowl-conference affiliation with the Tournament of Roses in 1946 and introduced a groundbreaking revenue-sharing model for television proceeds in 1955[5]. Academically, th

Northwestern University is a leading private research institution based in Evanston, Illinois, recognized for its academic rigor, innovation, and global reach. Founded in 1851 by a group of nine Chicago Methodists led by physician John Evans, Northwestern was established as a nonsectarian university to serve the Northwest Territory, now encompassing several Midwestern states[5]. Instruction began in 1855, and the university was the first chartered as such in Illinois[5]. Notably, Northwestern began admitting women in 1869 and further expanded its inclusivity by merging with Evanston College for Ladies in 1873, appointing educator and reformer Frances Willard as its first dean of women[5]. ## What Northwestern Does Northwestern is a comprehensive university offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across 12 schools and colleges, with campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Doha, Qatar[3][5]. It emphasizes interdisciplinary research, blending theory and practice, and is especially known for strengths in business (Kellogg School of Management), law, medicine, engineering, journalism, and the arts[6]. The university’s curriculum is designed to foster innovation, critical thinking, and real-world application, preparing students for leadership roles in business, technology, and beyond. ## Key Achievements and Notable Aspects Northwestern has consistently ranked among the top national universities, currently holding the #7 spot in the U.S. News & World Report (as of 2025), and is one of only four institutions also ranked in the top 20 across four graduate school categories[6]. The university is a founding member of the Big Ten Conference and boasts a 98% graduation success rate among student-athletes[6]. Its faculty includes multiple Nobel laureates, reflecting a strong tradition of research excellence[8]. Northwestern has been a pioneer in global engagement, establishing the first Program of African Studies in the U.S. in 1948 and opening a campus in Qatar i