Founded in 1971, From the Fallout Shelter appears annually and publishes students’ creative works, including poetry, short stories, photography, paintings, graphics, creative essays, and one-act plays. Students in all programs across the campus are invited to submit their creations anonymously. All selections, including the winning pieces, are chosen by the editorial board, comprised entirely of students. The only exception is the Academy of American Poets Prize, winner and runners-up, which are picked via blind judging by professors. Students who submit work and serve the editorial staff at the same time do not evaluate their own work.

From the Fallout Shelter is named for a piece of rather unique campus history, the Olmsted building’s basement. Prior to the opening of the Penn State Harrisburg campus in 1966 the buildings that would become the university were owned by the U.S. Air Force. The building that would later be known as Olmsted, during this time, had its basement used as a designated fallout shelter by the Air Force, likely due to its proximity to Three Mile Island.

The print edition of the magazine is distributed for free on campus during the spring semester. Funding is provided by the Student Initiated Fee and the School of Humanities. The contributors, editors, and faculty advisor are responsible for the content of this magazine.