When Penn State Berks senior Caitlin Morris walks across the stage to receive her diploma on May 8, she will already know what the next two years hold for her.

Each year, Penn State recognizes outstanding faculty and staff with annual awards in teaching and excellence. These awards highlight many of the faculty and staff who go above and beyond.

Six Penn State faculty members have received the 2021 George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching. They are Julia Kregenow, associate teaching professor of astronomy and astrophysics in Eberly College of Science; Andrew Mowen, professor of recreation, park and tourism management in the College of Health and Human Development; Mary Napoli, associate professor of reading at Penn State Harrisburg; Marietta Scanlon, associate teaching professor of engineering at Penn State Berks; Sven Schmitz, associate professor of aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering; and Johnathan White, assistant teaching professor of history at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Julie Ealy, associate professor of chemistry at Penn State Lehigh Valley; Eric Hudson, associate professor of physics in Eberly College of Science; and Kirwin Shaffer, professor of Latin American studies at Penn State Berks; have received the Alumni/Student Award for Excellence in Teaching and have been named 2021 Penn State Teaching Fellows.

As part of our regular "We Are!" feature, we recognize 10 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what's asked of them in their work at the University. Thank you Dawn, Felicia, Shannon, Danielle, Kelly, Halaina, Craig, Eric and Brenda — and to everyone who helps make Penn State such an incredible community.

One year ago on Memorial Day, our nation watched in horror as George Floyd was killed on the streets of Minneapolis by the now former police officer Derek Chauvin. Today, he was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter by a jury after about 10 hours of deliberations. A jury found him guilty, yet this delivery of justice by our legal system does not mitigate the trauma, frustration and anger that members of our community are feeling over the death of George Floyd. It is palpable and profound and nothing can mitigate the fact that another innocent life was taken. We grieve because George Floyd was taken from his family and his community because of the wanton and unjustifiable abuse of power. We grieve because racism, inequality, and brutality in America persist.

Penn State Berks will launch the first event in its Chancellor’s Distinguished Speaker Series, “The Power of Everyone: A Conversation on Diversity and Inclusion,” on Wednesday, April 28.

The Penn State Berks Office of Career Services and the Penn State Berks Aspiring Scholars Program have partnered with representatives from several organizations to host a discussion of diversity in hiring practices among employers.

Penn State Berks will hold a virtual admissions event for high school juniors from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 17. This webinar will allow prospective students and their families the opportunity to connect with campus experts and current students.

Penn State Berks Chancellor George Grant Jr. recently announced the appointment of Todd A. Migliaccio as the associate dean for academic affairs following a national search. Migliaccio will begin his appointment on July 15, 2021.