Penn State Berkey Creamery Debuts “One Million Scholar’s Chip” to Celebrate 1 Million Degrees
Monday August 17, 2026 – Penn State is marking one of the biggest milestones in its history with a celebration that feels distinctly Happy Valley: a new flavor from the Penn State Berkey Creamery.
The Creamery has unveiled “One Million Scholar’s Chip,” a limited-time ice cream created to commemorate Penn State awarding its one millionth degree. According to Onward State and an official Penn State announcement, the flavor will be available beginning Aug. 24, 2026 — the first day of the fall semester — through the end of the calendar year.
What Is “One Million Scholar’s Chip”?
One Million Scholar’s Chip combines vanilla ice cream with extra vanilla bean and chocolate chips, offering a relatively classic Creamery flavor with a name tied directly to Penn State’s academic milestone.
The flavor was selected by members of the Penn State community through a vote. Other finalists included One Milla Vanilla Bean, Million Strong Strawberry, Millionth Degree Mint Nittany, and One Mil Grilled Stickies.
The launch comes just days after Penn State officially passed the million-degree mark during summer commencement ceremonies on Aug. 15, 2026 at University Park. Before the ceremonies, the University had awarded more than 999,400 cumulative degrees and expected to confer approximately 2,700 more across Penn State during the summer graduation period.
Penn State’s Road to One Million Degrees
The one millionth degree represents more than 165 years of Penn State graduates.
Penn State, originally founded as the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania in 1855, awarded its first degrees in December 1861. Eleven students received bachelor of scientific agriculture degrees, becoming the first students to complete a baccalaureate program at an American agricultural college.
The numbers grew steadily from there. Penn State awarded its 100,000th degree in 1965, reached 500,000 degrees in 2001 and passed 750,000 in 2015. The University now counts more than 800,000 living alumni around the world, according to Penn State. More details on the milestone are available through Penn State’s One Million Degrees project.
Why the Berkey Creamery Is a Fitting Part of the Celebration
Few Penn State institutions have been around for as much of that history as the Berkey Creamery.
The Creamery was established in 1865, just four years after Penn State awarded its first degrees. Initially housed in a barn behind what is now Old Main, it evolved from an agricultural teaching operation into what Penn State describes as the largest university creamery in the United States.
Its influence extends beyond scoops served in University Park. Ice cream-making courses began at Penn State in 1892, helping train generations of professionals in the dairy industry. Among the people who later studied ice cream production at Penn State were Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, who went on to found Ben & Jerry’s. The Creamery moved into its current location in the Food Science Building in 2006.
Today, the Berkey Creamery produces far more than ice cream, including cheese, milk, yogurt, sour cream and other beverages and dairy products. Milk from Penn State’s own dairy herd is used in its fresh dairy products, with Penn State saying the journey from cow to finished Creamery treat averages about four days.
That combination of agricultural education, food science and Penn State tradition makes the Creamery a natural participant in a milestone celebrating the University's educational legacy.
A Limited-Time Taste of Penn State History
“One Million Scholar’s Chip” connects two Penn State institutions separated by only a few years of history: the University began awarding degrees in 1861, while the Creamery opened in 1865.
For current students, alumni and visitors returning to University Park this fall, the commemorative flavor offers a literal taste of Penn State’s million-degree milestone. And unlike the millionth degree itself, there should be plenty of scoops to go around — at least through the end of 2026.
More information about current flavors, products and ordering is available from the Penn State Berkey Creamery.
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