Penn State Behrend’s 2023-24 academic year will begin Saturday, Aug. 23, with the college’s Academic Convocation. The program, which begins at 9 a.m. in Junker Center, is mandatory for all new Behrend students.
Convocation and commencement are the academic bookends of the Behrend experience. During the one-hour convocation program, Vice Chancellor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Greg Filbeck will welcome the class of 2029. Several student speakers, including Zane Lewis, president of the Student Government Association, also will offer advice to new students.
It is a tradition at Behrend for the most recent recipient of the Council of Fellows Excellence in Teaching Award to address the incoming class. This year’s speaker will be Todd Cook, associate professor of biology.
To learn more about convocation and other Welcome Week programming at Behrend, download the Penn State Go app at the <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/penn-state-go/id1474983115">Apple App Store</a> or at <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.psu.pennstatego&amp;hl=en_US">Google Play</a>.

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Academic Convocation | Penn State University

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Penn State Behrend’s 2023-24 academic year will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, with the college’s Academic Convocation.

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The Penn State Behrend Jazz Ensemble will perform its winter concert at 8 p.m. on Dec. 9 in McGarvey Commons.

Behrend Jazz Ensemble to perform winter concert | Penn State University

The Penn State Behrend Jazz Ensemble will perform its winter concert at 8 p.m. on Dec. 9 in McGarvey Commons.

Behrend Jazz Ensemble to perform winter concert

The Public Policy Fund at Penn State Behrend will host a panel discussion about Ukraine and rising tensions with Russia during a 3 p.m. Feb 9 Zoom program.

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Ukraine panel discussion | Penn State University

The Public Policy Fund at Penn State Behrend will host a panel discussion about Ukraine and rising tensions with Russia during a 3 p.m. Feb 9 Zoom program.

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Ukraine panel discussion

The Public Policy Fund at Penn State Behrend will host a panel discussion about NATO and Ukraine during a 12:30 p.m. Zoom program on Feb. 17.

Discussion about NATO and Ukraine | Penn State University

The Public Policy Fund at Penn State Behrend will host a panel discussion about NATO and Ukraine during a 12:30 p.m. Zoom program on Feb. 17.

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Discussion about NATO and Ukraine

A traveling museum of African American Inventors and Inventions will visit Penn State Behrend on Wednesday, Feb. 16.

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Exhibit of African American inventions | Penn State University

A traveling museum of African American Inventors and Inventions will visit Penn State Behrend on Wednesday, Feb. 16.

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Exhibit of African American inventions

Author Michael Wang will read from his story collection, “Further News of Defeat,” when the Smith Creative Writers Reading Series returns to Penn State Behrend on March 3.

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March 3: Creative Writers Reading Series at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

Author Michael Wang will read from his story collection, “Further News of Defeat,” when the Smith Creative Writers Reading Series returns to Penn State Behrend on March 3.

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March 3: Creative Writers Reading Series at Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend will host a public teach-in about the conflict in Ukraine beginning at noon Wednesday, March 2. The program will be hosted on Zoom.

March 2: Ukraine teach-in | Penn State University

Penn State Behrend will host a public teach-in about the conflict in Ukraine beginning at noon Wednesday, March 2. The program will be hosted on Zoom.

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March 2: Ukraine teach-in

The Okaidja Afroso Trio will perform a free concert beginning at noon on Thursday, March 24, in Penn State Behrend’s McGarvey Commons.

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Music at Noon: The Logan Series at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

The Okaidja Afroso Trio will perform a free concert beginning at noon on Thursday, March 24, in Penn State Behrend’s McGarvey Commons.

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Music at Noon: The Logan Series at Penn State Behrend

The Public Policy Fund at Penn State Behrend will host a panel discussion with faculty members in the Ukrainian capital during a 2 p.m. Zoom program on Thursday, March 24.

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Zoom discussion with faculty at Kyiv School of Economics | Penn State University

The Public Policy Fund at Penn State Behrend will host a panel discussion with faculty members in the Ukrainian capital during a 2 p.m. Zoom program on Thursday, March 24.

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Zoom discussion with faculty at Kyiv School of Economics

The Grammy Award-winning Harlem Quartet will perform a free concert in Penn State Behrend’s McGarvey Commons beginning at noon on Thursday, April 7.

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The Grammy Award-winning Harlem Quartet will perform a free concert in Penn State Behrend’s McGarvey Commons beginning at noon on Thursday, April 7.

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George Looney, distinguished professor of English and creative writing, will read from his work beginning at 6 p.m. April 7, in the Metzgar Center at Penn State Behrend.

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Smith Creative Writers Reading Series at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

George Looney, distinguished professor of English and creative writing, will read from his work beginning at 6 p.m. April 7, in the Metzgar Center at Penn State Behrend.

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Smith Creative Writers Reading Series at Penn State Behrend

NASA astronaut Michael Fincke will discuss his upcoming space mission during an April 20 Open House Night in Astronomy at Penn State Behrend.

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Astronomy Open House at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

NASA astronaut Michael Fincke will discuss his upcoming space mission during an April 20 Open House Night in Astronomy at Penn State Behrend.

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Astronomy Open House at Penn State Behrend

Two students in the creative writing program at Penn State Behrend will read from their work on April 14 in Metzgar Center.

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“Sweet Sorrow” reading at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

Two students in the creative writing program at Penn State Behrend will read from their work on April 14 in Metzgar Center.

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“Sweet Sorrow” reading at Penn State Behrend

The Boilermaker Jazz Band will perform a free concert in Bruno’s Café at Penn State Behrend beginning at noon on Thursday, April 21.

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Boilermaker Jazz Band at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

The Boilermaker Jazz Band will perform a free concert in Bruno’s Café at Penn State Behrend beginning at noon on Thursday, April 21.

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Boilermaker Jazz Band at Penn State Behrend

Two students in the creative writing program at Penn State Behrend will read from their fiction on April 21 in the Metzgar Center.

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'Sweet Sorrow' reading at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

Two students in the creative writing program at Penn State Behrend will read from their fiction on April 21 in the Metzgar Center.

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'Sweet Sorrow' reading at Penn State Behrend

Troutwood founder and CEO Eugene Natali will discuss the future of the finance industry at Penn State Behrend’s Black School of Business on April 27.

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Finance Speaker Series at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

Troutwood founder and CEO Eugene Natali will discuss the future of the finance industry at Penn State Behrend’s Black School of Business on April 27.

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Finance Speaker Series at Penn State Behrend

More than 280 students will present their senior capstone projects at the Richard J. Fasenmyer Engineering Design Conference at Penn State Behrend from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 30.

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Engineering Design Conference at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

More than 280 students will present their senior capstone projects at the Richard J. Fasenmyer Engineering Design Conference at Penn State Behrend from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 30.

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Engineering Design Conference at Penn State Behrend

Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Penn State Behrend and Erie Brewing Company will release a series of beers themed to promote awareness of aquatic invasive species.

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Pennsylvania Sea Grant and Penn State Behrend to help launch Invasive Species Draft Series | Penn State University

Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Penn State Behrend and Erie Brewing Company will release a series of beers themed to promote awareness of aquatic invasive species.

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Pennsylvania Sea Grant and Penn State Behrend to help launch Invasive Species Draft Series

The first Open House Night in Astronomy of 2022-23 will focus on Ursa Major and the Big Dipper. Richard Gosnell, lecturer in physics at Penn State Behrend, will lead the Aug. 31 program, which will be followed by astronomical observing.

Ursa Major (Astronomy Open House at Penn State Behrend)

Open House Night in Astronomy | Penn State University

The first Open House Night in Astronomy of 2022-23 will focus on Ursa Major and the Big Dipper. Richard Gosnell, lecturer in physics at Penn State Behrend, will lead the Aug. 31 program, which will be followed by astronomical observing.

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Open House Night in Astronomy

The brass-funk band Lucky Chops will open the 2022-23 season of Music at Noon: The Logan Series at Penn State Behrend will a free performance on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

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Lucky Chops will open Behrend's Logan Series | Penn State University

The brass-funk band Lucky Chops will open the 2022-23 season of Music at Noon: The Logan Series at Penn State Behrend will a free performance on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

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Lucky Chops will open Behrend's Logan Series

The Yahn Planetarium at Penn State Behrend will celebrate its reopening with a special presentation of “Forward! To the Moon,” a film about NASA’s Artemis mission.

Behrend program to focus on NASA's Artemis mission

Reopening of Yahn Planetarium at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

The Yahn Planetarium at Penn State Behrend will celebrate its reopening with a special presentation of “Forward! To the Moon,” a film about NASA’s Artemis mission.

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Reopening of Yahn Planetarium at Penn State Behrend

The Public Policy Fund at Penn State Behrend will host a discussion with Oleg Nivievskyi, an assistant professor at the Kyiv School of Economics and coordinator of the UaFoodTrade research project, on Sept. 26.

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Discussion of Ukraine War and food crisis | Penn State University

The Public Policy Fund at Penn State Behrend will host a discussion with Oleg Nivievskyi, an assistant professor at the Kyiv School of Economics and coordinator of the UaFoodTrade research project, on Sept. 26.

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Discussion of Ukraine War and food crisis

The Calpulli Mexican Dance Company will perform in the Reed Wintergarden at Penn State Behrend Wednesday, Sept. 28.

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company to perform at Penn State Behrend

'Rhythms of Life' Series Opens at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

The Calpulli Mexican Dance Company will perform in the Reed Wintergarden at Penn State Behrend Wednesday, Sept. 28.

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'Rhythms of Life' Series Opens at Penn State Behrend

Recruiters for more than 20 companies, including Natech Plastics and the Naval Nuclear Laboratory, will meet with students during Penn State Behrend’s virtual Career and Internship Fair on Thursday, Sept. 29.

Virtual Career Fair at Penn State Behrend

Virtual Career Fair at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

Recruiters for more than 20 companies, including Natech Plastics and the Naval Nuclear Laboratory, will meet with students during Penn State Behrend’s virtual Career and Internship Fair on Thursday, Sept. 29.

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Jim Gavio, director of the Yahn Planetarium at Penn State Behrend, will discuss the moons in our solar system during an Oct. 5 Open House Night in Astronomy.

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Astronomy Night at Penn State Behrend Oct. 5 | Penn State University

Jim Gavio, director of the Yahn Planetarium at Penn State Behrend, will discuss the moons in our solar system during an Oct. 5 Open House Night in Astronomy.

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Astronomy Night at Penn State Behrend Oct. 5

The 2022 Smith Carillon Concert Series at Penn State Behrend will conclude with a special duet recital by Frank DellaPenna and Lisa Lonie on Saturday, Oct. 8.

The Smith Carillon at Penn State Behrend

Carillon Concert at Penn State Behrend Oct. 8 | Penn State University

The 2022 Smith Carillon Concert Series at Penn State Behrend will conclude with a special duet recital by Frank DellaPenna and Lisa Lonie on Saturday, Oct. 8.

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Carillon Concert at Penn State Behrend Oct. 8

The poet David Baker will read from his work as part of the Smith Creative Writers Reading Series at Penn State Behrend on Thursday, Oct. 13. His reading, which begins at 6 p.m. in Smith Chapel, is free and open to the public.

David Baker at Penn State Behrend

Smith Creative Writers Reading Series | Penn State University

The poet David Baker will read from his work as part of the Smith Creative Writers Reading Series at Penn State Behrend on Thursday, Oct. 13. His reading, which begins at 6 p.m. in Smith Chapel, is free and open to the public.

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Smith Creative Writers Reading Series

The Multi-Cultural Council at Penn State Behrend will host the annual Harambee Dinner, a celebration of cultural diversity at the college, on Oct. 19 in McGarvey Commons.

Harambee dancers at Penn State Behrend

Harambee dinner at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

The Multi-Cultural Council at Penn State Behrend will host the annual Harambee Dinner, a celebration of cultural diversity at the college, on Oct. 19 in McGarvey Commons.

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Harambee dinner at Penn State Behrend

Lauren Pearce, assistant professor of physics at Penn State New Kensington, will present “The Case of the Missing Antimatter” at the next Open House Night in Astronomy on Nov. 2 at Penn State Behrend.

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101 Otto Behrend Science Building, Penn State Behrend

Astronomy Night at Behrend | Penn State University

Lauren Pearce, assistant professor of physics at Penn State New Kensington, will present “The Case of the Missing Antimatter” at the next Open House Night in Astronomy on Nov. 2 at Penn State Behrend.

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Astronomy Night at Behrend 

The Boston-based ensemble Cordis will perform at Music at Noon: The Logan Series at Penn State Behrend on Thursday, Nov. 3.

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Music at Noon: The Logan Series | Penn State University

The Boston-based ensemble Cordis will perform at Music at Noon: The Logan Series at Penn State Behrend on Thursday, Nov. 3.

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Music at Noon: The Logan Series

The poet Kathy Fagan will read from her work as part of the Smith Creative Writers Reading Series at Penn State Behrend on Thursday. Nov. 3.

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The poet Kathy Fagan will read from her work as part of the Smith Creative Writers Reading Series at Penn State Behrend on Thursday. Nov. 3.

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Martina Edwards, the first Black woman to hold a seat at the New York Stock Exchange, will visit Penn State Behrend on Nov. 10 as part of the college's Speaker Series.

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Speaker Series at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

Martina Edwards, the first Black woman to hold a seat at the New York Stock Exchange, will visit Penn State Behrend on Nov. 10 as part of the college's Speaker Series.

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Speaker Series at Penn State Behrend

The Rhythms of Life Series at Penn State Behrend continues Nov. 17 with a free performance by The Barefoot Movement, a Nashville-based bluegrass band.

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Rhythms of Life Series at Penn State Behrend | Penn State University

The Rhythms of Life Series at Penn State Behrend continues Nov. 17 with a free performance by The Barefoot Movement, a Nashville-based bluegrass band.

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Rhythms of Life Series at Penn State Behrend

The 17th ERIE Conference at Penn State Behrend will explore the economic impact of cybersecurity threats that disrupt small businesses on Friday, Dec. 2.

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ERIE Conference to Explore Cybersecurity Risks | Penn State University

The 17th ERIE Conference at Penn State Behrend will explore the economic impact of cybersecurity threats that disrupt small businesses on Friday, Dec. 2.

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Behrend

Academic Convocation

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM / August 23, 2025