“We Are” was the rallying cry embraced by the entire Penn State Berks community this past year in the face of the global coronavirus pandemic.
When the college transitioned to remote teaching in March, some students and faculty members had concerns about remote course delivery and losing the personal connections of the classroom. Despite some trepidation, faculty who were novices to remote teaching were proficient in course delivery within a matter of days. Meanwhile, the Advising, Learning and Writing Centers provided students with academic support, while the Office of Student Affairs helped students to stay engaged through a variety of virtual programs. The Offices of Alumni Relations and Development and Campus Life even held a virtual Homecoming and Family Weekend!
Behind the scenes, every office worked diligently to meet the new challenges that came with the pandemic, from supporting students’ mental and physical health and wellbeing, to providing remote IT support to the entire campus community, to helping residential students with their departure and return to the residence halls. Maintenance and Operations helped the campus community to practice social distancing by placing visual cues in high-traffic areas and maintaining the strict standards of sanitization.
Entrepreneurs at the Berks LaunchBox worked with community partners to create PPE. Alumni, faculty and staff volunteered in the community, raising funds to provide face masks to those in need. There are many other examples, too numerous to mention.
When students returned to campus in the fall, they too did their part to help keep the college community safe by wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing, and practicing proper hand washing. In recognition of the dedication of the entire campus community, Housing and Food Services held a special “Mask Up or Pack Up” celebration on Oct. 28. The event featured a mask decorating contest, a crazy food day menu, and free “freakshakes.”
Some positive developments also emerged over the last year. A group of faculty and staff started a new program called “LionSide Chats,” a modern interpretation of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Depression-era “Fireside Chats.” These webinars provide current and timely talks from college faculty and staff experts on a variety of topics and disciplines.
The levels of creativity, cooperation, and resilience over the past year on behalf of our students, faculty and staff have been truly remarkable and attest to the quality of people who serve the college and the University.
—Chancellor R. Keith Hillkirk