Activities and Traditions

Headshot of Carson Kressley

Penn State Berks to host first Queer Con with Carson Kressley on Oct. 11

Penn State Berks will hold its first Queer Con from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, in the Perkins Student Center. This inaugural event will feature a presentation by celebrity guest Carson Kressley, television star and LGBTQ+ advocate. Queer Con is free and open to the public and light refreshments will be served.
Photo of Fiesta Latina 2023 dance performance

Penn State Berks celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with free events

As part of the college’s ongoing efforts to engage with and support the local Hispanic and Latino communities, Penn State Berks will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15–Oct. 15, with a variety of vibrant events, educational presentations and cultural showcases. These events include dynamic speakers, Latin cuisine, music, dancing and much more. All events are free and open to the public and most are held at Penn State Berks, except "Enhance Your Customer Service" with Rosa Julia Parra, which will be held at Centro Hispano Daniel Torres in downtown Reading.
Photo of students at Welcome Weekend

Penn State Berks welcomes first-year students into residence halls Aug. 23

Penn State Berks will welcome approximately 360 first-year students to its residential community as part of the campus' annual orientation program beginning on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students should refer to the campus map for move-in directions. Returning students will move in from Saturday, Aug. 24, and Sunday, Aug. 25. Welcome Weekend programs and activities will be held from Aug. 23 through Aug. 25.  
Lucine Sihelnik Headshot

Greater Reading Chamber Alliance president, CEO to speak at Berks commencement

A new class of nearly 250 Penn State Berks students will receive their baccalaureate and associate degrees at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading, when Berks hosts its spring 2024 commencement ceremony. The honorary keynote speaker this year will be Lucine Sihelnik, president and CEO of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance. Sihelnik is a leader in community and economic development and has spent the last 20 years working to advocate for sustainability in Berks County.
Four female Berks students smile for the camera

Penn State Berks to send four dancers to THON 2024, host send-off week

Penn State Berks is showing support for the four student dancers who are representing the college at THON, the University's dance marathon which benefits families battling pediatric cancer. There will be a dancer send-off from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, in Multipurpose Room 2, located on the second floor of the Perkins Student Center, where faculty, staff and fellow students will gather to wish the dancers well.