Penn State Berks began the 2021-22 academic year with the third annual convocation ceremony for incoming and transfer students to welcome the members of the Class of 2025 to the college. The ceremony began at 12:15 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23, under the tent in the Perkins Plaza.
For the ceremony, faculty donned their academic regalia. The processional was led by Holly Ryan, associate professor of English and faculty senate chair. Student Edith Konneh presented her poem titled “Let This Be,” which took first place in its category in the 2020-21 Penn State Berks Values Poetry Contest. Students were welcomed by Todd Migliaccio, associate dean of academic affairs, and G. Michael Shott, student government association president. Chancellor George Grant Jr. gave introductory remarks and the keynote presentation was delivered by Jessica Schocker, associate professor of social studies education and women’s studies, who spoke about the importance of community.
First-year and transfer students were asked to commit to the college’s core values of personal and academic integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence and community.