When you walk into Violet Vintage Wine Company, you are transported to the 1930s with the art deco-inspired design – tastefully accentuated by subtle shades of violet – and Big Band music playing in the background. Patrons can tell that it’s a labor of love for owners and Penn State alumni Katherine “Kat” (De Crescenzo), 2014, and Evan Kinzey, 2015, who share not only a love of wine, but a love for each other that shines through in everything they do.

The Penn State Berks Softball Team defeated top seed Penn College, 5-3, to win the United East Championship on May 8, and making the NCAA Tournament, which is a field of 62 teams out of 400 schools that offer softball. Briana Smith, who stepped it up to another level in the circle and at the plate, was named the United East Tournament MVP.

The Penn State Consortium on Substance Use and Addiction hosted its second annual conference, “Community Approaches to Substance Use and Addiction” on May 3.  

WPSU-TV will televise “The Investment,” the final round of the Invent Penn State Inc.U Competition, at 9 p.m. on May 16 and again at 6 p.m. on May 21. During “The Investment,” six Penn State student startups compete for up to $30,000 in funding that will help advance their companies.

When Deborah Cebular walks across the stage to receive her Penn State degree in biochemistry and molecular biology during Penn State Berks' spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7, it will be the culmination of a dream that was 30-plus years in the making and a complete career change.

After Nathan Bonslaver graduates from Penn State Berks on May 7, he will be closing the door on one chapter while opening the door to another. Not only is Bonslaver the co-founder of CarToCamp, which provides universally fitting SUV sleeping platforms for car camping, but he also was one of six selected to participate in the Invent Penn State Summer Founders Program, a 13-week accelerator program that provides funding and resources to develop startups.

When Kelly Whalen was applying to colleges, Penn State Berks was at the top of her list. In fact, it was the only college on her list. On May 7, she will join the ‘lion’s pride’ when she walks across the stage as student marshal to receive her diploma from Penn State Berks.

Earning a degree may help you to achieve career advancement and enhance your professional skills; however, it can be difficult for adults to juggle their family responsibilities and careers. The Office of Continuing Education will hold an adult student information session beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, in room 101, Franco Building. Attendees must register in advance. 

Penn State Berks recently held an award ceremony for its student leaders.

The Penn State Berks Freyberger Gallery will present “Bird Call: Studies and Actions Dedicated to Biodiversity,” an intermedia exhibition that blends 2D and 3D works by local artists and study participants alongside time-based works by contemporary new media artists. The exhibition runs May 2-14.