Current charging stations for electric vehicles, or EVs, can be expensive to install, and limited in the number of parking spaces they reach. Penn State engineering student Jonathan Smith and his team have spent the last three years creating a possible solution: smaller, mounted charging stations, which can move to cover as many as five parking spaces. As CEO of Streamline Charging, he’s used his Penn State education and customized coursework to get the team’s ideas to market.
Penn State Berks is holding a free public event, the “Eras Tour (Penn State Berks Version)” on Saturday, Nov. 2, in the Perkins Plaza. The event is held in junction with the course “Taylor Swift, Gender, and Communication,” offered this fall. Admission is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.
Penn State Berks wrapped up its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Oct. 11 with its 12th annual Latino Forum, an outreach effort for local high school students. Chancellor Radha Pyati provided a warm welcome to the students in Spanish, and she reached out to both students and the greater Latino community through a Facebook Live interview on La Mega Radio Station, a Spanish-language station who was on site for the event. Pyati was also interviewed live on La Mega’s Morning Show on Oct. 8.
Barnes and Noble College — a Barnes and Noble Education company that operates the Penn State Bookstore — has continued its longtime partnership with the University and the Penn State Corporate Engagement Center to award a 2024-25 round of grants supporting a range of programs and initiatives across the commonwealth.
Penn State Berks will host its annual “Halloweek” events beginning Monday, Oct. 14, culminating with a community event — the college’s fifth annual Fall Fest — at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. All events are free and open to the public.
In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October 2024, the Penn State Berks information sciences and technology department will join forces to host events to increase awareness about cybersecurity issues and best practices. Events cover a wide range of audiences, including Penn State Berks students, faculty and staff; K-12 students and educators; and the community. All events are free and preregistration is required for some events.
At seven of Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses, campus gardens and farms help to connect students with nature. Programs aimed at sustainable food practices and mental well-being help to create an environment for growth and joy within the community.
Penn State Berks alumni and family members of students are invited to the college’s 2024 Family and Homecoming Weekend, set for Friday, Oct. 18, to Sunday, Oct. 20. This year’s theme is “Let’s Level Up – Powered by Pixels, Fueled by Fun."
Penn State Berks is helping a future generation of engineering students to succeed through the college’s Engineering Ahead Program, which is now in its ninth year. The goal of the four-week summer ‘bridge’ program, which ran from June 30 to July 19, is to increase retention rates among a diverse group of engineering students by enhancing academic preparedness and providing support.
Prospective students and their families are invited to a visitation program at Penn State Berks at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, in the Perkins Student Center, located just off Broadcasting Road in Wyomissing. Attendees must register in advance.