Berks

Diana Stoltzfus standing by the lion shrine

Berks Senior Spotlight: Diana Stoltzfus

Diana Stoltzfus has certainly made the most of her college experience at Penn State Berks, from conducting research on the effects of virtual reality on exercise, to earning a 4.0 GPA, to being a star player on the women’s volleyball team. She will graduate as student marshal during Berks' fall 2024 commencement ceremony, set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Santander Arena in Reading. The title of her commencement speech is "The Power of Perseverance."
Photo of Mike Fidanza

Penn State Berks professor receives Crop Science Society of America 2024 Award

The Crop Science Society of America recently announced that Michael A. Fidanza, professor of horticulture at Penn State Berks, has been honored with the Fred V. Grau Turfgrass Science Award. The annual awards are presented for outstanding contributions to crop science through education, national and international service, and research.
Student takes blood pressure of another student on stationary bike while faculty observes

Virtual reality may help reduce perceived efforts while exercising

The benefits of virtual reality (VR) appear to extend beyond video games, according to Penn State Berks senior kinesiology major Diana Stoltzfus and Associate Professor of Kinesiology Praveen Veerabhadrappa. They recently found that using VR during exercise can improve the experience and reduce the perceived effort for college students.
Graphic reading "THON Inspire the Night"

Berks Benefitting THON to host 'Inspire the Night' dinner fundraiser Jan. 17

In an effort to support children and their families in the fight against pediatric cancer, Penn State Berks Benefitting THON student organization will host its eighth annual "Inspire the Night" Benefit Dinner from 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at the new Redner’s Event Center at the Reading Fightin Phils First Energy Stadium.
Headshot of Norman Bristol Colón

Pa. chief diversity officer Norman Bristol Colón to deliver commencement address

A new class of nearly 120 Penn State Berks students will receive their baccalaureate and associate degrees at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading, when Berks hosts its fall 2024 commencement ceremony. Penn State alumnus Norman Bristol Colón, commonwealth chief diversity officer and founder and chairman of the Pennsylvania Latino Convention, will deliver the keynote address.
Group of students in front of neon sign reading "AAAS The Future of Science"

Penn State Berks LION STEM Scholars attend S-STEM Scholars Meeting

Eight Penn State Berks Leveraging Innovation and Optimizing Nurturing STEM Scholars were selected from thousands of applicants to attend the 2024 S-STEM Scholars and Principal Investigators Meeting from Nov. 8 to 10 in Chicago, Illinois. The meeting was co-hosted by the National Science Foundation and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.