READING, 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 Thursday, Sept. 20, to Sunday, Sept. 23. This year’s theme is “Rocking Through the Fifties” and will celebrate the college’s founding on its 60th anniversary.
The weekend will include activities for the entire family, including social and athletic events that showcase the campus. Most events are open to all attendees, but many require advanced registration.
Thursday, Sept. 20
The festivities begin with a Sock Hop held in the Multipurpose Room, Perkins Student Center on Thursday night at 8 p.m., followed by a dance contest at 9 p.m. Participants are invited to wear your favorite poodle skirt and leather jacket as you "rock around the clock."
Friday, Sept. 21
Friday’s events will include a float-building party from 1 to 7 p.m. in the Beaver Community Center parking lot in preparation for the next day’s Homecoming Parade. Then at 8 p.m., the Theatre Program will perform "Revenge of the Space Pandas" by David Mamet, directed by senior theatre major Taylor Clark Housel, in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This production is a family show and is appropriate for all ages. On-campus activities conclude with a bonfire from 9 to 11 p.m. on the Luerssen lawn.
In addition, there will be a Penn State football viewing party at P.J. Whelihan’s Pub and Restaurant, located at 1101 Rocky Road, West Lawn, as the Nittany Lions take on the Fighting Illini. This event is part of the college’s 60th anniversary celebration and is open to all members of the campus community. Doors open at 8 p.m. and kickoff is at 9 p.m. The event will include door prizes, raffles, and creamery ice cream and grilled stickies will also be available. This event is cosponsored by the Berks County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association and the Penn State Berks 60th Anniversary Committee. Advanced registration is required.
Saturday, Sept. 22
On Saturday, events begin at 10 a.m. with an Open House to showcase our Special Living Options. Continental breakfast will be available.
Students, faculty, staff and their families are invited to attend a free picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday under the tent on the Perkins Plaza lawn. Advanced registration is required by Sept. 10.
Meanwhile, alumni and their families are invited to the Alumni Social under the mini tent on the Perkins Student Center lawn from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Alumni can pick up a free gift, enjoy light refreshments, and mingle with faculty, staff and fellow alumni. Advanced registration is required by Sept. 10.
The Homecoming Parade will begin at noon, before the women’s soccer game, which begins at 1 p.m. Floats built by students, faculty and staff will be on display. Presentation of the Homecoming Court, where the 2018 homecoming royalty will be crowned, will take place at 1:45 p.m., during halftime of the women’s soccer game. Then the men’s soccer team will host a home game at 3 p.m. at the artificial turf athletic field behind the Beaver Community Center. Rounding out the afternoon’s events are THON Bingo at 3 p.m. and tie-dyeing with the Blue and White Society at 4:30 p.m. Other activities include live music, inflatables, performers, freebies and more.
Alumni who graduated in the last decade are invited to a special GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Reunion, beginning at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, families are encouraged to stay for the Family College Feud in Tully’s cafeteria, beginning at 6 p.m., and a second performance of "Revenge of the Space Pandas" at 7 p.m. in the Perkins Auditorium.
Sunday, Sept. 23
On Sunday, alumni family members of students currently attending Penn State Berks are invited to celebrate at our Legacy Breakfast event at 9 a.m. under the tent in the Luerssen field. Advanced registration is required by Sept. 10.
The Berks Benefitting THON student organization will host their annual 5K or 1-mile walk, led by the Nittany Lion. Check-in and registration begin at 9 a.m. at the Beaver Community Center, and the run/walk begins at 10 a.m. Cost is $20 for early registration, $25 for regular registration. For more information, visit the Berks Benefitting THON website.
BLDG. 7 Yoga and Berks Benefitting THON will hold a pre-race stretching/yoga session. This event is free and open to the entire campus community; participation in the 5K is not required to attend.
To conclude the festivities, the campus community is invited to participate in a community service project, cleaning up Gring’s Mill Recreation Area, from 2 to 6 p.m. Advanced registration is required. In addition, there will be a final matinee performance of "Revenge of the Space Pandas" at 2 p.m. in the Perkins Auditorium.
For more information about Family and Homecoming Weekend, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 610-396-6052 or the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.