"Survivors ready?"

Tonight marks the premiere of Survivor: Palau, the 10th installment of the reality series that places contestants in exotic locations, where they must overcome both physical and social challenges in order to move closer to the coveted million-dollar prize.

What's different about the show this season is that last year's Undergraduate Student Government (USG) president is part of the cast.

Ian Rosenberger joins 19 other "survivors" this season in Palau, an island in the South Pacific.

How well Rosenberger fared on the pre-recorded show is unknown to anyone but a few people, and Rosenberger has signed a confidentiality agreement that forbids him from talking at all about his experience on the show. Even his mother, Kim Rosenberger, of Economy, said she has no idea.

"From the time he left, we don't know what happened," Kim Rosenberger said. "When we found out [Ian was on the cast], we made a promise that we wouldn't ask him anything and that way he wouldn't feel obligated to tell us. What fun would it be anyhow? We'd like to find out with everyone else."

Kim Rosenberger has been a fan of the CBS series since it debuted in 2000. While watching it, she immediately thought of her son.

"The first time I saw it, I thought he was perfect for it," she said. "He was only 18 at the time and he hadn't even watched it, but I kept telling him he should do it."

Survivor typically consists of a series of physical challenges, often pitting one "tribe" against another, followed by a weekly tribal council where survivors vote to eliminate one person from the tribe.

This season is slightly different, as the cast size increases from 16 to 20, three of which will be voted off in tonight's episode.

Kim Rosenberger thought her son would be an ideal survivor partly because he could excel at the social aspect of the game.

"He's very charismatic and very charming," she said. "He kind of lights up a room when he walks in. I know I'm his mom, but it isn't just me. It seems like the party starts when he comes in the room ... He just grabs on to life and takes every opportunity he can take and makes the most of it."

Penn State students apparently shared the assessment of his charisma -- Rosenberger was voted not only USG president, but Homecoming King as well.

Kevin McDowell (freshman-business), a regular Survivor watcher, said it's often hard to tell who will do well and who will be quickly eliminated.

"Sometimes an old woman or someone will win," he said, "but I think his Penn State background will help him."

Kelly Jacobs (junior-music education), who is not a Survivor fan, had a similar perspective.

"I'd watch if I had time to watch TV," she said. "But I might turn it on once just to see. I never talked to him, but just to see if he's cool. If he wears Penn State [apparel] I'll be more likely to watch."

Tonight's premiere begins at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Kim Rosenberger will be watching it, of course, and said she is more excited than nervous.

"We wish him luck and we're looking forward to a fun time," she said.