Berkey Creamery to Launch New Ice Cream Flavor Celebrating Penn State’s 1 Millionth Degree

A new ice cream flavor is coming to Penn State’s Berkey Creamery to celebrate the university awarding its 1 millionth degree.

“One Million Scholar’s Chip” will be available starting Monday, Aug. 24, the first day of Penn State’s 2026-2027 fall semester and will remain on sale through the end of the calendar year.

The new flavor is part of Penn State’s celebration of conferring the milestone degree during summer commencement ceremonies on Aug. 15 at University Park, and the university’s effort to encourage alumni, students, faculty, staff, families, friends and fans to donate 1 million gifts.

The flavor was selected through a community vote from five options held July 1-10. 

“One Million Scholar’s Chip” features vanilla ice cream with extra vanilla bean and chocolate chips. The other finalists were “One Milla Vanilla Bean,” “Million Strong Strawberry,” “Millionth Degree Mint Nittany” and “One Mil Grilled Stickies.”

“We’re honored to be a part of the one millionth degree celebration,” Creamery Operations Manager Doug Thomas said in a release. “The Creamery is a staple with many of our students, alumni and the Penn State community. We’ve been part of the University for 161 years and are happy to provide a product that brings smiles and joy to so many people.”

Prior to August commencement, Penn State had awarded more than 999,400 degrees since its founding 171 years ago. Over 2,500 degrees were awarded university-wide over commencement weekend, officially pushing Penn State past the 1 million-degree mark. 

“This moment celebrates a far-reaching history of more than 916,000 Penn State alumni — and an impressive living legacy upheld by those who represent the current alumni network 800,000 strong,” Reggie Bustinza, CEO of the Penn State Alumni Association, said. “These individuals’ ideas, leadership and generosity continue to shape communities and industries around the world and advance what can be accomplished right here at Penn State.”

University leadership says the fundraising campaign is intended to build on Penn State’s history of alumni and community support.

“When I think about the roar of gameday, the hush of a lecture hall, the familiar shout of ‘We Are Penn State’ heard anywhere around the world — it’s clear that this University is shaped by the limitless pride and passion of our community,” Jay E. Davenport, vice president for development and alumni relations, said in a release. 

Penn State was founded as the Farmers’ High School in 1855 and became Pennsylvania’s first and only land-grant institution in 1863. The Berkey Creamery opened in 1865 and is now the largest university creamery in the United States.

“We’ve arrived at this distinctive moment because millions of people continue to believe in Penn State,” Davenport said “I can’t wait to see how far our community’s collective generosity can propel us into the future.”