Sherveen Karbasiafshar is a biology student at Penn State. He, along with five other undergraduates, created HemoGO — a smartphone application designed to assist people who want to check their complete blood count on the go. HemoGO is one of six Penn State student startups working with the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program to compete for a pool of $30,000 in the annual Inc.U competition show “The Investment,” airing at 8 p.m. May 24 on WPSU.
A team from Penn State Berks has been selected as one of 10 finalists in the Great Social Enterprise Pitch, an idea incubator and business plan competition for concepts that use a business model and revenues to have a positive social or environmental impact. The student-faculty team, Trimatis, recycles plastic waste for use in 3-D printing. Working with the Langan LaunchBox, they were able to develop their business plans
Penn State Berks junior Jovan Tate has launched a pilot program for his fledgling company, Campus Cars Inc., created to bring car sharing to fellow students at Penn State Berks who do not have access to their own vehicles. He gained valuable assistance and advice through the Langan LaunchBox, an incubation hub funded by the Invent Penn State initiative.
Penn State President Eric Barron, center, prepares to cut the ribbon during a celebration to dedicate the Mont Alto LaunchBox on April 3. Joining him, from left to right, are Richard Heddleson, regional director for the South Central Office of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania; Mike Ross, Franklin County Area Development Corp. president; Francis K. Achampong, Penn State Mont Alto chancellor; Lynn Dietrich, Penn State trustee; State Rep. Paul Schemel; Neil Sharkey, Penn State vice president for research; and assisting with the ribbon is Madlyn Hanes, Penn State vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor.
Edward H. Wiswesser, 100, died on March 3, 2018. He was the oldest alumnus of Penn State Berks. Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Reading High School and went on to earn an associate degree in the Junior Engineering Program of Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in 1937. WPI’s facilities were offered to Penn State for the establishment of a commonwealth campus in 1958, and the University granted WPI graduates full Penn State alumni status. Wiswesser remained an active member of the WPI alumni group up until his death.
Penn State Berks students, Olivet Boys and Girls Club children, and community members will join together to clean up Baer Park and a one-mile section of the Schuylkill River Trail from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 20. The rain date is Friday, April 27.
“Be Bold, Take Charge,” a multi-sector community health initiative between Penn State Berks and Penn State Health St. Joseph, is hosting a professional clothing drive in partnership with Goodwill Industries and Berks Connections Pretrial Services (BCPS) through April 9. Donation bins will be located on Penn State Berks campus in the Perkins Student Center and Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building. Clothing can also be donated at Penn State Health St. Joseph Main Campus at 2500 Bernville Road in Reading.
Fifty-five third graders from Glenside Elementary School in Reading will visit Penn State Berks on Feb. 27 for a fable workshop beginning at 9:45 a.m. in the Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room. The workshop is a joint initiative of the college’s elementary and early childhood education and theatre degree programs, and coordinated by David Bender, associate professor of educational psychology.
