Penn State Berks kicked off the 2024-25 academic year with its sixth annual convocation ceremony for incoming and transfer students to welcome the members of the Class of 2028 to campus. The ceremony was held Monday, Aug. 26, under the tent on Perkins Plaza.

For the ceremony, faculty donned their academic regalia. Chancellor Radha Pyati welcomed approximately 630 first-year students. In her comments, Pyati advised students that the key to success is to know themselves and that they should make two lists: one of the things that make them feel most alive, and the other of things they don’t enjoy. This will help them find their passion.

Sonia Delaquito, coordinator of the Learning Center, gave introductory remarks, and read a poem on the Penn State Values, written by a former Berks student Erin Horack. Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Todd Migliaccio discussed the importance of curiosity and discovering new academic interests.

Nathan Tam, SGA president, spoke about the many ways to get involved to get involved on campus. Colleen English, chair of the Penn State Berks Faculty Senate, spoke about all the opportunities that the college has to offer. The keynote presentation was delivered by Ike Shibley, associate professor of chemistry, whose speech focused on belonging. Shibley advised students to practice kindness and validation of others.

First-year and transfer students were asked to commit to the college’s core values of personal and academic integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence and community. The event concluded with the singing of the alma mater and an ice cream social.

The convocation can be viewed on the college’s YouTube site.