A Campus Built for Pennsylvania: The Story of Penn State Harrisburg

As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, another milestone is unfolding right in the heart of the Commonwealth. In Episode 58, we step onto the campus of Penn State Harrisburg, the Capitol College, as it marks 60 years of impact in central Pennsylvania. Host Sydney Harris-White sits down with Assistant Teaching Professor Seth P. Wright to explore how a former Air Force base transformed into a thriving institution dedicated to public service, civic engagement, and workforce development. From its origins during the turbulence of the 1960s to its role today beside the state’s seat of government, this conversation reveals how one campus grew alongside Pennsylvania itself. This episode goes beyond dates and milestones. It dives into powerful alumni stories, including leadership at the National Transportation Safety Board, and highlights the campus’s nearly $198 million annual economic impact on the Commonwealth. You will hear how Penn State Harrisburg prepares students not just for careers, but for responsibility, equipping them to read the Constitution, shape public policy, and strengthen democracy from the inside out. As we reflect on America’s founding and ask “Who are we?” this conversation makes clear that the next chapter of Pennsylvania’s story is being written by the students walking its halls today.