From the first day of fall semester, there has been a buzz in the Collegian newsroom, and it never seemed to subside this year.

It's been an eventful 2006-2007 term for Penn State.

After a student referendum in last year's USG elections ended the reign of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) tried to earn respect as the new governing body -- with that came a tumultuous first election.What started out with confident beginnings ended in a wave of confusion and four-letter words. The battle of the Jays ensued as top-vote getter Jay Bundy was ultimately ousted by Jay Chamberlin, after Bundy committed a string of elections code violations.

The football season had its share of ups and downs. Paternoville got downsized, Joe Paterno took a tumble and Morelli got the brunt of the criticism for the team's failings. But the year was capped off with an underdog win over Tennessee in the Outback Bowl.

A class of stand-out seniors just left for the draft, four of which where picked in the first three rounds. Though they'll be hard to replace, it's safe to say this isn't the last time we'll see the likes of Levi Brown and Linebacker U alum, Paul Posluszny.

This year, maybe more than ever, there's been a strong theme of Penn State students working together.

The $5.2 million raised for Thon may have surpassed last year's total by $1 million, but that was just one of the reasons Penn State should have pride this year.

Although Penn State's not necessarily known for its activism, the Facebook fad brought about new means for working together.

State Patty's Day showed students could work together for change, and while drinking might not have been the best motivation, it did give the student body practice to unite for times when it really mattered -- Blue-White weekend.

Penn State showed its true colors in April, when Beaver stadium was spotted with orange and maroon, and the 'S-Zone' was replaced by the VT to honor the Hokie nation. The collective "We are" sent chills through the air and showed that Penn State cared about more than drinking and tailgates.

Spring brought change to Happy Valley, in many different forms.

In March, Rene Portland terminated her contract as the Lady Lion's basketball head coach after 27 years, more than 600 wins and a slew of controversy. Although her motivation for leaving is unknown, Penn State was able to bring diversity to the team with Coquese Washington, the first black female head coach at Penn State.

UPUA also brought in new faces with the spring elections. Voter turnout increased from 2,602 students votes cast in the fall to 5,936 votes cast this semester.

Despite a higher turnout, the number only accounted for about 15 percent of the student body. Apathy continues to be a collegiate epidemic and newly elected UPUA President Hillary Lewis and her vice president Frank Keller must work vigourously to cure this.

Football players found themselves on the front page for more than just their quick feet and hot hands. It will be interesting to see what happens as the case against six of the Lions unfolds.

As for one of the most unpredictably predictable things in State College --- the weather -- this year was no exception. Temperatures in the sixties in January and a Valentine's Day snow made dressing for each day an adventure.

It's all part of the charm and tradition of the Blue and White. The 2006-2007 school year was a roller-coaster ride, but as long as Penn State continues to make the news, we'll be there to cover it. See ya in the summer.