Penn State Berks benefitting THON raised a record $13,050.83 during its first canning weekend for the 2014 IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, exceeding all previous canning weekend fundraising efforts. THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, providing emotional and financial support to pediatric cancer patients, their families, researchers and staff at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital through the Four Diamonds Fund.

Daniel Hernandez Jr. is the former congressional intern credited with saving Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' life in the aftermath of her attempted assassination. In his presentation, "Becoming a Hero," Hernandez will discuss the title he disputes on Wednesday, October 16, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.

The Penn State Berks Chemical Society was honored for outstanding community outreach by the national office of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the worlds' largest scientific society. The 15th annual ChemLuminary Awards celebration was held in conjunction with the ACS National Meeting in Indianapolis, IN on September 8, 2013.

Students enrolled in the Teaching Health Education to the Elementary School Child course will learn ways to integrate field trip experiences into various areas of the curriculum through an interdisciplinary field trip to Hawk Mountain on Tuesday, October 15, 2013.

Penn State Berks is currently taking orders for the University's famous Berkey Creamery ice cream. Orders will be accepted through Oct. 28, 2013, with all ice cream available for pickup on Nov. 20, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the pole building at Peiffer Farm, on the corner of Broadcasting and Tulpehocken Roads. Ice cream that is not picked up that evening cannot be held and is non-refundable.

Due to overwhelming community response, the Penn State Berks Freyberger Gallery exhibition BLUE MARSH: Landscape Lost, which explores the story of the Blue Marsh Dam project and the subsequent changes for the families who lived and worked in the area, will be extended through November 21, 2013. The exhibition will than be moved to a temporary home at the Berks County Agricultural Center in Leesport, Pa., until its permanent home at Old Dry Road Farm is prepared. This event is free and open to the public.

Penn State Berks students are getting real-world marketing experience, working with the Reading Public Library on creating a new marketing plan to help the nonprofit organization meet the evolving needs of its customers.

As part of the college's commitment to sustainability, Penn State Berks has added a course in Sustainability Writing for the fall semester. This course will help students in a variety of majors to prepare for careers in professional and technical writing in the "green" industry.

Unity Day, an annual Penn State event that helps bring students, faculty, staff, and the community together to celebrate diversity, will be held on Wednesday, October 2, 2013, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Activities will take place on the Perkins Plaza, weather permitting. All Unity Day activities are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

The Office of Career Services will hold a graduate school information session for currently enrolled students on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013, at 1 p.m. in room 3 (Forum Room) of the Perkins Student Center. Attendees will be presented with an overview of the graduate school application process, learn the benefits of pursuing a graduate education, and acquire information about specific graduate school examinations and requirements.