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Alvernia Monthly Media Advisory: Move-In, Orientation Day of Service, Faculty Experts & More

Move-In Slated for Aug. 21, Student/Professor Research Conducted in Reading, Pa & the Amazon Rainforest

by Sarah Matarella

Reading, PA (08/11/2026) — Alvernia University aims to serve as a resource for media. Below is a list of Alvernia's sights and sounds, faculty expert perspectives, and other timely happenings throughout August.

Upcoming Sights & Sounds

Move-In Events:

  • Move-In Day for First-Year and Transfer Students, New Student Orientation
    • Friday, August 21, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Media Members are invited to attend between 8-10:30
    • Location: Alvernia's Quad and across campus
    • Details: Alvernia University will welcome the largest class in university history this fall, with enrollment currently sitting at over 575 first-year and transfer students. The incoming class breaks the 2022 record of 563 first-year and transfer students. Nearly 200 members of the Class of 2030 are first-generation college students. The class hails from 18 states and 12 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Luxembourg, Kenya, India and the Philippines.
    • Read more about the record class HERE
    • Interviewees can be available on or before move-in day upon request.
  • Orientation Day of Service
    • Saturday, August 22, Media are invited to attend from 9:45-11:30 a.m. at any of the following Reading Olivet Boys & Girls Club locations, including:
      • PAL Club, 325 Walnut St.
      • Center for the Arts, 326, Walnut St.
      • Oakbrook Club, 1161 Pershing Blvd.
      • Details: This year, Alvernia's Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement is partnering with VOiCEup Berks and Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County. All incoming students will help prepare the spaces for the new school year through projects like deep cleaning, outdoor beautification and creating welcome displays. Students will volunteer at each of Olivet's six locations to assemble welcome kits for club members.
      • Interviewees can be available on or before the Day of Service upon request.

Expert Perspectives

  • Engineering student and professor's research geared toward helping Reading residents combat mold
    • Engineering student and Reading Resident, Arizaidith Hernandez-Hernandez & engineering professor Dr. Kushal Adhikari spent 10 weeks this summer conducting research for the Student Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) Program among eight other student/professor pairings.
    • Project Title: "Low-Cost Monitoring and Preventing Strategies for Mold Risk in Older Residential Housing."
    • Project Description: Older housing, excess moisture and limited access to resources can make mold a challenging issue for families in Reading. Arizaidith and Dr. Adhikari spent the summer investigating how residents experience and understand mold risk, gathering community survey responses and conducting observations in 44 local homes. The research led to the development of a low-cost temperature and humidity monitoring system paired with an app that helps residents identify conditions that could contribute to mold growth and offers practical recommendations to reduce their risk. The project combines technology, community-based research and environmental education to explore an accessible approach to improving residential conditions and supporting healthier homes.
  • Alvernia student & professor traveled to the Amazon Rainforest, conducted research, working closely with indigenous communities
    • Biology Major, Isaac Peterson '27 and Biology Professor, Dr. Jamie Becker
    • Alvernia became the turning point that reshaped Peterson's academic and personal identity. The biology major's college experience got off to an unsteady start. After transferring to Alvernia, Peterson found inspiration in the classroom through faculty who modeled genuine care for their disciplines and their students.
    • The experience ultimately took him to the Amazon Rainforest in the summer of 2025 & 2026, where he conducted field research alongside Biology Professor Dr. Jamie Becker from Alvernia and faculty from Georgetown University, while working closely with indigenous communities.
    • Read more HERE

Spotlight on Success

  • Graduate student set up for professional success after logging 500 consulting hours through the O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship
    • As a part of his experience in the O'Pake Fellows Program, Anthony Florkowski '25, MBA '27 helped the John Paul II Center, a school for children and adults with special needs set up QuickBooks for the Special Blends Cafe, which the center hopes to open in late 2026 in Alvernia's new American House at Reading CollegeTowne.
    • Read more HERE.
  • The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program's Class of 2026 cohort scored the highest first-time pass rate for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) in the history of the program. The official first-time licensure examination pass rate of 96.5% significantly exceeded the national average of 82-86%. The five-hour test features 225 multiple-choice questions. The strong showing comes on the heels of DPT Department Chair Pamela G. Unger, PT, DPT, CWS, receiving the highest honor from the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

For More information/To Schedule Interviews/RSVP:

Sarah Matarella, 610-796-8344, Sarah.Matarella@alvernia.edu

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