Activities and Traditions

Erica Pulaski

Penn State Berks explores the truth behind Halloween

What does Halloween mean to you? Costumes, candy, and trick-or-treating? Hayrides, haunted houses, and horror stories?  Penn State Berks will bring the truth to light on what many consider the most mysterious holiday of the year when the college presents “The Truth About Halloween” at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This presentation is free and open to the public.      
group of faculty, staff and students at Fall Fest

Fall Fest returns to Penn State Berks on Oct. 21

Penn State Berks will hold its Fall Fest on Friday, Oct. 21. The event has two-parts — a "family fun" program from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Perkins Plaza and the ‘witching hour’ haunted tours for adults from 7 to 10 p.m.   
Joseph Szimhart head shot

Szimhart, cult information specialist, visits Penn State Berks

From the People’s Temple to the Branch Davidians to Heaven’s Gate to NXIVM, cults have held the public’s fascination for decades. So how does an artist become a cult deprogrammer? Joseph Szimhart has been a cult information specialist since 1980. He will discuss his career when he visits Penn State Berks on Thursday, Oct. 20. This event is free and open to the public.
Students viewing the Zombie Ant Experience

'Zombie Ant Experience’ invades Penn State Berks

The new augmented reality exhibition has arrived at Penn State Berks and it sounds like something out of a science fiction movie. In reality, the "Zombie Ant Experience" is part interactive art installation, part teaching method that illustrates spore trajectories. Visitors are transformed, through augmented reality, into ants, living peacefully beneath the forest canopy. They are soon attacked by a simulated fungus, which turns them into “zombie” ants, who spread the fungus to other ants — all in an effort to extend the life of the fungus.
With Open Heart and Open Arms logo

Penn State Berks hosts ‘With Open Heart and Open Arms: LGBTQ+ Cuban Refugees’

Penn State Berks will host the traveling exhibit "With Open Heart and Open Arms: LGBTQ+ Cuban Refugees and the LGBTQ+ Community's Response to the Mariel Boatlift of 1980" in the Thun Library from 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, until Oct. 17. The exhibit is sponsored on campus by the Penn State Berks DEIB Committee, The Rainbow Alliance student organization, and the Thun Library.
Penn State Berks celebrates Unity Day.

Penn State Berks Unity Day slated for Oct. 7

Penn State Berks will hold its annual Unity Day celebration, the largest diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) event at the college, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, on the Perkins Student Center lawn. This year’s theme is "Bring your home to Berks: Let's create our village." All Unity Day activities are free and open to the public.
Open House, October 8, 9 a.m.

Prospective students invited to Penn State Day at Berks

Prospective students and their families are invited to a visitation program at Penn State Berks on Saturday, Oct. 8, in the Perkins Student Center, located just off Broadcasting Road in Wyomissing. The event is part of the University's "Penn State Day," in which Penn State campuses throughout the state host visitation programs during the months of September and October. Attendees must register in advance. 
Javier Avila, The Perfect Latino

Penn State Berks holds Latino Forum for high school students and community

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Penn State Berks will hold its 10th annual Latino Forum from 9:30­ to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This special event is free and open to students from all Berks County high schools, as well as members of the local Hispanic and Latino community. There will also be a virtual option. Advanced registration is required.