Man of my word: MLB All-Star, World Series Champion earns Penn State degree

Last weekend, numerous Penn State student-athletes walked across the commencement stage, accepting their degrees in their final acts as Nittany Lions. Some are set to enter the world of professional athletics; many others will go pro in something other than sports. But one newly minted Penn State alumnus has already reached the pinnacle of his sport. On Saturday, Penn State welcomed MLB All-Star, World Series Champion, and media entrepreneur Dexter Fowler into its alumni family. Despite already achieving a lifetime of success, Fowler’s motivation to return to school was driven by a promise he made to his parents two decades ago.

MLB veteran Dexter Fowler fulfills promise to family with Penn State degree

Twenty years ago, Dexter Fowler was set to play college baseball for Miami. But then, the big leagues came calling. Selected in the 14th round by the Colorado Rockies in the 2004 MLB Draft, Fowler decided to forgo his college career to pursue his dreams of playing professionally.

Turns out, he made the right call. Called up in September of 2008, Fowler played 14 seasons in the MLB for the Rockies, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Los Angeles Angels. He made the MLB All-Star Game as a member of the Cubs in 2016, helping Chicago to end its 108-year World Series drought that same year. Fowler made history by becoming the first player to lead off Game 7 of the World Series with a home run.

After retiring in 2023, Dexter Fowler launched a successful career in sports media. He frequently appears on ESPN, FOX Sports, NBC Sports, and the Marquee Sports Network, and owns two production companies: Fowlball Productions and 400 Ventures.

But despite amassing over $100 million in his career, there is something else that Dexter Fowler wanted to add to his resume — a college degree. That box was checked Saturday, earning his degree in organizational and professional communication from Penn State. Serving as a student marshal in the commencement ceremony, Fowler says his motivation was driven by a promise he made to his parents two decades ago.

“My parents always wanted me to go to school, so I promised them I would return,” Fowler said. “My dad negotiated into my [rookie] contract that I would get four years of school paid for. I’m a man of my word, so I returned to get my degree.”

Completing his degree online, Fowler said he kept his schooling a secret until recently.

“I really wanted to surprise people,” he said. “I didn’t tell many people that I was returning to school because I wanted to do this for myself. My parents live in Atlanta and recently retired, so I surprised them by inviting them up for graduation in May.”

Dexter Fowler has graduated from Penn State with a bachelor of science degree in Organizational and Professional Communication 🎓 pic.twitter.com/ea87oznI4K

— MLB (@MLB) May 6, 2024

News and notes: Nittany Lions icon takes top wrestling job

In other Penn State alumni news, Nittany Lion wrestling great David Taylor officially accepted the head coaching position at Oklahoma State late Monday night. The two-time National Champion and 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist begins his venture into coaching after falling to fellow Nittany Lion Aaron Brooks at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in April.

“Forever grateful for my Penn State family,” David Taylor wrote on social media following the announcement. “I am looking forward to this new chapter with [Cowboys wrestling and Oklahoma State athletics].”

The most significant move in the sport since Cael Sanderson arrived in Happy Valley in 2009, Taylor takes over the most successful program in the sport historically. The Cowboys have won 34 team National Championships, the most in the country.

With the Penn State wrestling dynasty at full throttle, coming off an 11th National Championship in 13 years, it’ll be interesting to watch how Taylor’s hiring impacts the sport. A prominent member of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, we will have to wait and watch who the Penn State great can convince to follow him from State College to Stillwater.

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