WYOMISSING, Pa. — Penn State Berks invites students and their families, alumni, faculty and staff to join the STAY AT HOMEcoming Weekend and Spirit Week, Oct. 5 to 12. In an effort to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus, this year's event will be held via Zoom (unless otherwise noted), and will include various activities that attendees can participate in from the comfort of their own homes. Participants must to register in advance, and they will receive the Zoom links sent directly to their email address.
Each day during Spirit Week, the college encourages participants to dress in accordance with the theme of the day and post on social media, using the hashtags #stayathomebk or #perksofberks.
Events marked with an asterisk are for current Penn State Berks students only and require students to pre-register by visiting the Campus Activities Board website.
Monday, Oct. 5
Theme: Tie-Dye Day – Live a Colorful Life
Homecoming Court Reveal
12:15 p.m., Pre-Recorded
Tune in to the Penn State Berks Campus Life YouTube page to find out who will be part of the 2020 Penn State Berks Homecoming Court.
*Tie Dye Mask Party
12:15 p.m., Perkins Plaza
To kick off Spirit Week, students can create their own sharpie tie-dye masks. In the event of rain, the event will be held in the Perkins Student Center lower lobby.
Penn State Alumni Trivia Night with Crazy Bob
7:30 p.m.
Contestants earn points by answering trivia questions, completing activities, getting audience participation, singing a karaoke song or whatever Crazy Bob imagines.
Submit a song for the homecoming playlist
Participants are invited to submit a song to be added to the Family and Homecoming Weekend playlist. Just note the artist and title of the song for consideration. Community members can access this playlist through Spotify; download the playlist here.
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Theme: Decade Day – A Blast from the Past
Career resilience webinar
7 p.m.
Whether you graduated years ago or you’re a recent alumnus, taking control of your career and keeping abreast of the best way to stay current in the job market can be daunting. The Berks County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association presents this webinar discussing the many resources available through Penn State Alumni Career Services.
*Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader?
8 p.m.
To continue the Spirit Week festivities, Crazy Bob will present this popular game show in-person in the Luerssen Science Building and virtually via Zoom.
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Theme: Neon Day – My Shirt is as Bright as my Future
*Stuff-a-Lion
11 a.m., Perkins Plaza
Students are invited to create an adorable stuffed animal. In the event of rain, the event will be held in the Perkins Student Center lower lobby.
Penn State Berks Paint Night
6:30 p.m., Zoom
Grab a canvas, paint and paint brushes and join Bernadette Bresnahan, owner of Creative Spirit Painting, for a Penn State Berks Paint Night. This interactive event will provide step-by-step instructions on creating a Penn State-themed pumpkin painting. After registering, participants will receive a list of the supplies needed via email or instructions on how to pick them up in advance for $20 (limited availability). The pick-up location will be sent along with the Zoom link.
Thursday, Oct. 8
Theme: Throw Back Thursday – Little Moments, Big Memories
*Jonathan Burns
8 p.m.
Students are invited to see a “flexible comedy” show by Jonathan Burns, who appeared on America's Got Talent and The Late Late Show with James Cordon. The event will be held in-person in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium for current students only and virtually via Zoom. Students should register for this event at the Campus Activities Board website.
Castle of Horrors Virtual Escape Room
12:01 a.m. on Oct. 8 – 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 10
The virtual escape room event starts with a video that tells the story of the room. After watching the video, participants will be taken to the 360-degree view, where they will test their skills, moving through the room using the “feet” on the floor.
Friday, Oct. 9
Theme: Blue & White Day – Bleed Blue and White
*Bonfire
8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Luerssen Lawn
Homecoming weekend will kick off with our traditional bonfire held on Luerssen Lawn.The in-person event is for current students only and students must pre-register. Post on social media and use the hashtag, #PerksofBerks.
Saturday, Oct. 10
Nittany Lion Fitness Hour
9 a.m.
LaTasha Thomas, Penn State Berks counselor and certified yoga instructor, will guide participants through a morning of yoga and meditation. She will be accompanied by the college’s Yoga and Meditation Society, a student organization.
Parent & Family Check-In
11 a.m.
This open forum provides parents and families of new and returning students the opportunity to meet with professional staff and discuss questions, concerns, and current news at Penn State Berks.
Campus Activities Board Meet & Greet
12:30 p.m.
The Campus Activities Board facilitates all social programming at the college. Participants can join the executive board and CAB adviser for insight on the college’s fall 2020 virtual programming and social events.
Crowning of the 2020 Homecoming King and Queen
1:45 p.m.
The votes are in and the 2020 Homecoming King and Queen will be announced. Register to watch a livestream of the crowning.
Berks Benefitting THON Vera Bradley & Sports Bingo
3 – 5 p.m.
This annual bingo event invites all to play for a chance to win Vera Bradley merchandise, sports memorabilia, and other prizes while raising funds for the Berks Benefitting THON student organization, whose mission is to raise awareness and funds for the fight against childhood cancer. Tickets are $20 and can ordered by contacting THON donor and alumni chair Kyra Yau at [email protected].
The Great DuBois – A Virtual Circus Experience
7 p.m.
The Great DuBois is virtual circus experience that will be presented both in-person in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium and virtually via Zoom. Students who are interested in watching this event in person must pre-register. Audience members will marvel as they watch the acrobats conquer death-defying odds to entertain the entire family.
Sunday, Oct. 11
Berks Benefiting THON Virtual 5K
10 a.m. to noon
The annual 5K brings together students, families, faculty, staff and community members as they run to raise awareness and funds for the fight against childhood cancer. For more information or to register, visit their website. For additional questions, contact THON fundraising chair Cassie Dragovich at [email protected].
Monday, Oct. 12
Halloween Chemistry with Funky Flames
7 p.m.
Just in time for Halloween, this event will explore ways to use color-changing flames to create a brilliant display of blue, green and purple. Learn about the chemistry behind the magic. The first 25 individuals to participate will receive a free Funky Flames Fire Color Changer packet to use in their next outdoor fire.
For additional information on Penn State Berks STAY AT HOMEcoming Weekend and Spirit Week, students and families should contact Angela DiJiacomo in the Office of Campus Life at [email protected], Alumni should contact Heather Wise in the Office of Alumni and Development at [email protected].
