Pa. House Passes ‘One Million Degrees Day’ Resolution to Honor Penn State Milestone

The Pennsylvania House has designated Aug. 15, 2026, as “One Million Degrees Day” in recognition of Penn State recently reaching one million degrees awarded since its founding.

House Resolution 639 passed the House on Tuesday, formally recognizing the university’s milestone and its contributions to Pennsylvania’s workforce, economy and communities.

The resolution was introduced by state Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, and co-sponsored by fellow Centre County Reps. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, and Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte District. Twenty-five additional representatives also signed on as co-sponsors, including lawmakers representing eight Penn State Commonwealth Campuses.

Penn State reached the one million-degree mark during its Aug. 15 summer commencement at University Park. The university awarded approximately 2,700 diplomas during the weekend, pushing its total number of degrees awarded past the seven-figure mark.

Takac, whose district includes much of the University Park campus, highlighted the university’s history and footprint when introducing the resolution on the House floor.

“One hundred seventy-one years ago, the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania was founded, and six years later, in 1861, graduated its first class of 11 students. Those graduates carried with them a commitment to share and use their knowledge and education to benefit the people and communities of Pennsylvania,” Takac said. “And this year on Aug. 15, that same school — now known worldwide as Penn State — conferred its one-millionth degree. That is a milestone worth celebrating and is a record of longevity, achievement and impact that very few institutions anywhere in the world can claim,”

The resolution points to Penn State’s role as Pennsylvania’s land-grant university and credits the school with expanding access to higher education while contributing to the state’s economy and quality of life.

According to the resolution, more than 430,000 Penn State alumni live and work in Pennsylvania, with its alumni and staff supporting more than one in 10 jobs in the commonwealth.

The milestone makes Penn State the first university in Pennsylvania and the first land-grant institution to reach the mark, according to the university. It is among a small number of schools nationwide to have awarded one million degrees.

U.S. Rep. and Penn State graduate Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard, also recognized the achievement on the U.S. House floor and entered his remarks into the congressional record.

“One million degrees is more than a statistic,” Thompson said. “This is an achievement that reflects one million dreams of attending university; one million opportunities.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro also issued a proclamation recognizing Penn State’s contributions to the state. State College Mayor Ezra Nanes and Centre County commissioners separately recognized the milestone recently, as well.

The House resolution describes Aug 15. as a milestone reflecting generations of Penn State graduates and the university’s impacted throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.

“RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the role of The Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania’s land-grant university, in expanding educational opportunity and contributing to the economic vitality and quality of life of communities throughout this Commonwealth through its mission of teaching, research and service,” the resolution reads.