WYOMISSING, Pa. — Students, faculty and staff at Penn State Berks will welcome family and alumni to campus when the college hosts its annual Family and Homecoming Weekend, from Friday, Oct. 15, to Sunday, Oct. 17. This year’s theme is ‘As Seen on TV.’
The weekend will include activities for the entire family, including social and athletic events that showcase the campus. Most events are free and open to all attendees unless otherwise noted, but many require advanced registration.
Friday, Oct. 15
Float-Building Party, 1–7 p.m., G1 parking lot across from the Thun Library
Members of student clubs and organizations will put their creativity to the test by building floats in preparation for the next day’s Homecoming Parade.
Lego Masters Engineering Alumni Reunion, 7 p.m., Alumni Tent on Perkins Lawn. Advanced registration is required.
All Penn State Berks engineering alumni are invited to attend this event, where they can network with fellow alumni, share experiences with current junior and seniors majoring in engineering, and reconnect with Penn State Berks engineering faculty.
Outer Banks Bonfire with Karaoke/Live Music, 9 – 11 p.m., Luerssen Lawn/Perkins Lawn
The evening will conclude with a bonfire, with karaoke and live music. This event includes refreshments, and it is sponsored by the Student Government Association.
Saturday, Oct. 16
The Wonder Years Legacy Breakfast, 8:45 a.m., Beaver Wellness and Athletics Center Auxiliary Gym. Advanced registration is required.
The day will begin with a Legacy Breakfast. This event is for Penn State alumni parents, grandparents, and/or siblings with a current student attending Penn State Berks. Attendees are invited to share memories and traditions with while enjoying a complimentary breakfast.
Family Matters Parent & Family Check-In, 10 a.m., Perkins Student Center, Room 3
Parents and families are invited to a Parent and Family Check-in, where there will be an open forum to meet with professional staff and discuss any questions or concerns, as well as learn the current news at Penn State Berks.
Aerobicize – Sweatin’ to the Oldies, 10:30 a.m., Perkins Lawn
Attendees are then invited to get some exercise and they can choose between two different activities – or participate in both; Zumba with Colleen English or take a walk around campus with the student members of the Kinesiology Club.
House Hunters: Penn State Berks Edition, Off-Campus Housing Fair, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Perkins Lawn
Attendees can stop in at any time to meet with local landlords who specialize in renting to Penn State Berks students, including representatives from local apartment complexes including, but not limited to, Seven Oaks, Springside Manor, and Concord Court apartments. This event is hosted by the Office of Campus Life.
Community Picnic, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Perkins Lawn Tent. Advanced registration is required by Oct. 1.
Alumni, students, faculty, staff and their families are invited to attend a free Community Picnic. Due to space limitations, the maximum number of guests per party is five (current Berks students should be included in the party total).
Macy’s Day Parade Homecoming Edition, Noon
Floats built by student organizations will be on display. Floats will be judged, and the winning organizations will receive funding to host a social for their members.
As Seen on TV Free Attractions, Noon–4 p.m., Perkins Lawn, Perkins Plaza and adjacent lawns
Rounding out the afternoon’s events are free attractions for the entire family, including live music, inflatables, street performers, freebies and more.
Friends Alumni Welcome and Alumni Society Meet & Greet, 12:30–2:30 p.m., Alumni Tent, Perkins Lawn. Advanced registration is required.
Alumni and their families are invited to a special Alumni Welcome and Alumni Society Meet & Greet. Alumni can enjoy Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream, pick up a free gift, and mingle with faculty, staff and fellow alumni.
Penn State Berks Men's Rugby vs. Widener University, 1 p.m., Turf Field
The Crown Homecoming Court, 1:45 p.m., Nittany Lion Shrine. The 2021 homecoming court will be introduced and homecoming royalty will be crowned.
Bingo America Berks Benefitting THON Vera Bradley & Sports Bingo, 3–5 p.m., Perkins Lawn Tent
Attendees are invited to play bingo and have a chance to win Vera Bradley, sports memorabilia, and other great prizes while raising funds for Penn State Berks Benefitting THON. Ticket Price: $20 in advance, $25 at the event. To purchase tickets in advance, contact Eli Claman at EKC5320@psu.edu.
That’s 70’s Show Blue & White Society Event-Tie Dye Event, 4:30–7 p.m., Perkins Lawn Mini Tent
The Blue and White Society, a student organization, will host their annual Tie-Dye event. Participants can bring their own whites or purchase available items at the event. For more information, contact Blue and White Society President Kaitlyn Lowery at KML6224@psu.edu.
Dinner in Tully’s, starting at 4:30 p.m.
The Price is Right, Crazy Bob Edition, 5:30 p.m., Tully’s Cafeteria
attendees can play the traditional game and win great prizes while having dinner in Tully’s, the campus dining hall.
The Goldbergs G.O.L.D. Reunion, 6 p.m., Liberty Tap Room, 237 N. Prospect Street, Reading, Pennsylvania. Advance registration required.
Penn State Berks graduates of the last decade are invited to this special alumni event.
Sunday, October 17
Pre-Race Stretching Event, 9 a.m., Perkins Plaza
Berks Benefitting THON welcomes everyone, regardless of age, fitness level or yoga experience, to a pre-race stretching/yoga event prior to the Berks Benefitting THON 5K. Attendees are not required to participate in the 5K to have participate with the stretching/yoga event, and yoga mats are not necessary.
The Amazing Race Berks Benefitting THON 5K, 10 a.m.–noon, Perkins Plaza
Race day registration will begin at 8:45 a.m. This 3.1 mile run or 1-mile walk supports Berks Benefitting THON’s goal of raising funds and awareness for pediatric cancer. Registration is $25 at this link.
For more information, contact Leeana Gretsky at LMG5801@psu.edu.
Antique Roadshow SAE Baja Car Show, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
This car show raises funds for the Penn State Berks SAE BAJA Club to allow engineering student members to design, build, and test off-road vehicles. All types and models of vehicles are eligible, whether old, new, car, truck, bike, restored, modified, project build, etc. Prizes will be awarded by class such as Best Domestic, Best Import, Best Project, and Best Overall. For more information, contact SAE BAJA Club President Cody Fitser at CRF5327@psu.edu.
Parks and Rec Community Service on Schuylkill River Trail, 2–6 p.m., Perkins Plaza. Advance registration requested (includes a free t-shirt).
The Penn State Berks Student Government Association and the City of Reading have partnered to maintain a portion of the Schuylkill River trail. Participants are invited to join the campus community as they cleanup this public resource.
Questions?
Questions regarding the family portion of Family & Homecoming Weekend can be directed to Angie Dijiacamo at AMC5300@psu.edu and questions about the alumni events can be directed to Heather Wise at HLA2@psu.edu.