Paranormal Research Society
The
Penn State Paranormal Research Society is one of the only known university-backed
paranormal groups in the United States. It was founded by investigator Ryan Buell, who is often credited as one of the youngest paranormal professionals in the country. It was founded on September 16th, 2001.
The society resides in
State College, Pennsylvania, home of
The Pennsylvania State University,
Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions Football team.
During the first two years of the society, the group catered mostly to college students who preferred an extra-curricular outlet for their paranormal interest. However, by year three and four, the group opened up to experts and professionals of various fields including
psychology,
chemistry and
forensic science.
For the most part, the group has been embraced by several professionals in the paranormal community, mainly for its stake in academia. Being a part of a well-known university gave PRS instant credibility and access to avenues that most independed researchers are denied. PRS also throws a national paranormal conference every October called UNIV-CON.
The group has preferred to stay private over the past five years, denying membership to the outside community. Several of PRS' cases have been high profile and in the media, such as the
Cindy Song dissapearance, the
Ray Gricar dissapearance and cases involving the
Roman Catholic Church. However, PRS has refused to release any data on them, citing confidentiality and protection of its clients.
Earlier this year, PRS and the
A&E Network announced that they are developing a television show, titled
DEADTIME, a reality show that chronicles the lives of the investigators and PRS' cases.
*
Penn State Paranormal Research Society website*
PA Inside Out: Live*
Club May Get TV Exposure*
Real ghosthunters share spooky footage at paranormal event*
Talk of Ghosts and Supernatural Comes to Penn State*
Group analyzes Paranormal Activity*
Paranormal Society Helps Sci Fi Channel*
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Article
