A new class of approximately 200 Penn State Berks students will receive their baccalaureate and associate degrees at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading, when Berks hosts its spring 2025 commencement ceremony. The honorary keynote speaker this year will be U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan.
Eight Penn State Berks students, joined by a few students from Penn State Abington, traveled to Puerto Rico to be of service to the local community. From March 8 to 14 the students had a chance to sow seeds at a Puerto Rican farm, work at an animal shelter and learn about Puerto Rico’s history.
Penn State Berks will host an event with Berks County's Parks and Recreation Department as part of the City Nature Challenge. The event, in which participants will observe and identify wildlife and plants in the local environment, will be held on Sunday, April 27. This event is free and open to the public and no experience is required but attendees are encouraged to register in advance.
The Penn State Berks Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development (CEED) Center hosted its annual Student Enterprise Award ceremony on March 24. The award provides seed money to support enterprising and innovative students and allow them to utilize their Penn State Berks education to become entrepreneurs.
More than 250 Penn State Berks students enjoyed “A Night In West Reading” on the evening of April 3. Hosted by the Office of Student Affairs, the event provided free transportation, as well as free food at several local establishments. Students also had an opportunity to paint an item at the Art Room, providing them with a souvenir of the event.
Swipe Out Hunger will run from Sunday, April 20, through the end of the spring 2025 semester for students to continue to donate their leftover dining dollars.
Penn State University Libraries recognized 13 outstanding faculty and staff on April 10. Faculty and staff based at the Penn State Berks, Harrisburg, Hershey and University Park campuses were recognized.
Mahsa Kazempour, associate professor of science education at Penn State Berks, has received the 2025 President’s Award for Engagement with Students. The award is given to a faculty member who goes beyond his or her responsibilities to engage and encourage students in learning. The honorees have made themselves available to interact with students outside class, link students to opportunities and help them build their confidence as learners and potential contributors to society.
Spring has sprung at Penn State Berks, and the college’s Sustainability Council will host its annual Earth Day celebration on Monday, April 21. Later that week, on April 23, the Sustainability Council will plant trees donated by PepsiCo in the student commuter parking lot. Then, Penn State Berks will host an event with Berks County's Parks and Recreation Department as part of the City Nature Challenge on Sunday, April 27.
Berks LaunchBox has announced the spring 2025 round of the “IMAGINE Your Business” grant. Funded by the County of Berks Imagine Berks Fund, this grant provides up to $2,000 to early-stage entrepreneurs to support various business needs such as prototyping, marketing and product development. The initiative aims to foster innovation and economic growth within Berks County.
