In celebration of Penn State Berks' fiftieth anniversary, a fiftieth anniversary commemorative quilt was unveiled on Monday, April 7, 2008 in the Freyberger Gallery. The quilt was designed and created by the campus community.
The quilt project began in February 2007 as an outgrowth of the college's fiftieth anniversary planning committee. The entire college community was invited to participate and the response was overwhelming. Members from all segments of the community--students, faculty, staff, alumni, advisory board members, and friends of the college--joined together to plan, design, and construct a commemorative quilt with fifty squares, each depicting a different facet of the college.
After several planning meetings in which the quilt size and subjects for each block were determined, the group went to work. While some members of the quilting circle were experienced quilters, others had never threaded a needle. Various tasks were assigned according to the participant's interest and level of experience, from creating the quilt design, to selecting the symbols, to creating the appliqués, to going to the fabric store to choose materials, to assembling and sewing the blocks.
Since the quilters worked on their squares individually, guidelines were developed to ensure that the quilt squares would fit together, while still allowing for individual creativity. Both hand and machine sewing were used to incorporate techniques from the past with those of today.
The result is a stunning piece of artwork that tells the story of Penn State Berks, from the college's predecessor, Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute, to our current degree programs, to the road to the future.
The quilt project was coordinated by Connie Dunston, Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor and Labyrinth Coordinator. "There is a tremendous sense of anticipation and excitement as the unveiling draws near. Those who participated in its design and creation will undoubtedly be filled with pride at the sight of this achievement. Our quilt is unique and quite amazing," Dunston said.