As the fall semester approaches, three local colleges are bustling with activity as they welcome new classes of first-year and transfer students. Penn State Berks, Albright College, and Alvernia University each hosted a series of events designed to help students acclimate to college life and kickstart their academic journeys.
Penn State Berks kicked off its Welcome Weekend on Friday, August 23, by welcoming approximately 360 first-year students to its residential community. The weekend-long orientation included a variety of activities aimed at helping students transition into college life. After bidding farewell to their families, students participated in a New Student Program led by Bonny Shade, a speaker and researcher focusing on campus-based sexual violence and community building. The program was followed by Residence Hall Orientation and a dinner for commuter students. The weekend continued with a pep rally, ice cream social with alumni, and various social events, concluding with a session specifically for first-generation students.
Albright College welcomed the Class of 2028 on Thursday, August 22. The 403 new students, hailing from 14 states and 10 countries, began their college journey with move-in day, followed by a series of Welcome Weekend events. The new class is noted for its academic diversity, with top declared areas of study in business, computer science, psychology, education, and fashion. Impressively, 79% of the incoming students plan to take advantage of Albright’s co-major program, which allows them to combine different academic disciplines without extending their time to graduation. The class is also distinguished by its diversity, with 53% identifying as non-white and 47% being first-generation college students.
Alvernia University celebrated the arrival of its third-largest incoming class, consisting of over 500 first-year and transfer students, on Friday, August 23. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Alvernia has welcomed more than 475 new students. The university hosted an opening convocation followed by a new luminary tradition, where students were paired with mentors for a celebratory lighting session in the campus Quad. Alvernia’s incoming class is academically strong, with an average GPA of 3.4, and diverse, with 41% identifying as students of color and 39% as first-generation college students. The class includes students from 25 different states and several countries, as well as student-athletes, service-oriented individuals, and those with unique talents and experiences.
As the academic year begins, these local institutions are not only growing in numbers but also in the richness of their student bodies, each bringing a unique mix of talents, backgrounds, and aspirations to the community. With robust orientation programs and a supportive environment, Penn State Berks, Albright College, and Alvernia University are setting the stage for a successful year ahead.
