Penn State Berks holds Welcome Weekend for incoming students
On Friday, August 17, nearly 350 first-year students will move into the college’s residence halls.
In an effort to help incoming first-year students to adjust to campus life, Penn State Berks will hold a variety of events and programs that comprise the college’s Welcome Weekend, from Friday, August 17–Sunday, August 19.
On Friday, August 17, nearly 350 first-year students will move into the college’s residence halls from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by a reception for students and their families under the tent at the Perkins Plaza from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The college will present a Parent and Family Orientation, which will offer advice for families on how to support their student, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Perkins Student Center Auditorium. Meanwhile incoming students will attend a Residential Student Orientation from 4 to 7 p.m., where they will get to know the Residence Life staff and learn about residence hall policies and keys to successful living on campus. The evening’s events – open to all first-year, residential and commuter students – include a residence hall rally, Crazy Bob’s trivia night, late-night sand volleyball and a late-night movie.
The college will hold its Welcome Weekend program for its more than 800 incoming first-year and transfer students on Saturday, Aug. 18, and Sunday, Aug. 19. The events on Saturday feature breakout sessions, which will cover a wide variety of topics including the common reading, first-year seminars and tips for success. The sessions will be followed by activities to help students get to know their classmates, including an extensive icebreaker facilitated by a team of alumni orientation leaders. The day’s activities will culminate with an alumni ice cream social and a dance.
On Sunday, Aug. 19, there will be a special morning program for commuting students focused on their specific needs and resources available at the college. This program will be followed by sessions on the 21 baccalaureate degree programs offered by the college and the wide range of student support services, clubs and organizations. The evening will conclude with a magic show and lip sync battle.
Prior to Welcome Weekend, the college held a special orientation program for the nearly 50 incoming international students during the week of Aug. 13. This program introduced students to the college, and in some cases, to the United States.
In addition, there will be a wide variety of programs and events the week of Aug. 20 for students, including Club Rush on Wednesday, Aug. 22; Animal Adventures with Ed Laquidara on Thursday, Aug. 23; a reception for adult and transfer students on Friday, August 24; and a Color Wars Fun Run to benefit the Penn State Berks Student Veterans Association on Saturday, Aug. 25.
The Penn State Berks Welcome Weekend Program is staffed by 100 student orientation leaders, 23 resident assistants, and other members of the college community.
For more information, visit berks.psu.edu/welcome-weekend-overview or contact Autumn Fritz, assistant director of community development, at 610-396-6098 or [email protected].
