Alvernia September Media Advisory
Blessing of the Animals, Saint Francis Day of Service & Homecoming
Reading, PA (09/30/2026) — For More information / RSVP: Sarah Matarella, Desk: 610-796-8344 Cell: 610-750-0080, Email: Sarah.Matarella@alvernia.edu
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 October.
Upcoming Sights & Sounds
- Annual Franciscan Traditions
- In honor of the 800th anniversary of the death and Feast Day of Alvernia's patron saint, Saint Francis of Assisi, marked by an extraordinary Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV, Alvernia is hosting:
- Blessing of the Animals
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October 1 | Noon | The Quad
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Saint Francis of Assisi is also known as the patron saint of animals. Each year, the university honors him with this event ahead of the Feast Day on October 4. Members of the Alvernia community will bring their four-legged family members to receive a blessing
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Saint Francis Day of Service
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October 2 | 12-2 | Becker's Saint Peter's Lutheran Church, 267 Maidencreek Rd, Fleetwood
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Alvernia's annual university-wide day of service held in celebration of Feast Dathe Feast Day of Francis of Assisi features students, faculty, staff and alumni serving alongside community partners. This year, Alvernia will return to long-standing community partner iHart Harvest Project. Volunteers will harvest potatoes that will be donated to local food pantries through Helping Harvest.
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- Blessing of the Animals
- Pottsville CollegeTowne Mural Unveiling
- October 7 | 2-3 p.m. | Pottsville CollegeTowne
- A nearly 300-foot mural that pays tribute to Schuylkill County's heritage and culture will be unveiled outside of Alvernia's Pottsville CollegeTowne, 500 Progress Ave. Alvernia's Total Experience Learning (TExpL) Institute spearheaded the project, a partnership between the university, professional artists and the community.
- Homecoming & Family Weekend - FULL SCHEDULE
- Alvernia's Homecoming & Family Weekend will take place from October 9 to 11, with the university celebrating the 100th anniversary of Francis Hall, the building where Alvernia began, first as an orphanage. Planned events include:
- The Fall Follies
- October 9 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Francis Hall
- The Fine and Performing Arts Department presents "The Fall Follies," a cabaret-like performance highlighting the artistry of students and alumni. Admission is free.
- Francis Hall at 100: A Community Canvas
- October 11 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Quad
- Alumni, students, families and friends are invited to add painted and collage elements to a collaborative 5-by-10-foot artwork featuring the iconic facade and historic images of Francis Hall.
- Football vs Misericordia
- October 11 | Noon-2 p.m. | Turf Field
- Alvernia's football team, who is undefeated at home for the first time in university history as of the last game on Sept. 26, takes on the Misericordia Cougars. The new coach, Stephen Devlin, is available for comment upon request.
- 100th Anniversary of Francis Hall Tour
- October 11| 3 to 4 p.m. | Francis Hall
- Bernardine Franciscan Sister Rosemary Stets, OSF, will host a conversation and presentation about Francis Hall followed by a guided walking tour about the rich history of the building and the stories of those impacted by it. President Fitzgerald will be in attendance and available for comment. Here is a brief glimpse into the history and more information is available upon request.
- Francis Hall Brick Building Competition
- October 11 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Campus Commons Living Room
- Attendees will compete to build a miniature replica of Francis Hall. The quickest to do so will win a $200 Amazon gift card.
- Pack Dash 5K
- October 12 | 10 a.m. | Quad
- Starting and finishing at the Quad, the Pack Dash 5K raises money for students in need through the Hope Fund.
- The Fall Follies
- Spotlights on Success
- After decades of singing professionally, performing as a classical soprano soloist before transitioning into a revered interpreter of the Great American Songbook, Deanna Reuben '79 lost her voice. Thinking her performing days were over, she read about a technique that involves vocalizing through a straw. After regaining her voice, she used it to help others find theirs. In September, Reuben produced and headlined an evening of classical, jazz and Broadway music that benefited Alvernia's Hope Fund, which assists students and families in financial need. She also hopes to teach other women how to utilize straw therapy.
- Alexis Calkins PA-C '26 chose Alvernia for her graduate studies due to its strong foundation of community. During her two years on campus, she helped to foster another foundation, serving among the university's first Master of Medical Science in Physician Associate Studies cohort. "I feel very proud to be part of this first graduating PA class at Alvernia," she says. "It's been very rewarding to see how we've developed alongside the program, and I'm excited to see what future developments the PA program makes."
- The evolution of Hailey Rohrer '25 MBA '27 at Alvernia - from an undecided first-year student to an ambitious graduate student assisting the marketing and communications department - mirrored that of the university. "As I look ahead," she writes, "I will leave Alvernia having grown alongside a campus that continues to develop, carrying with me the confidence, experiences and relationships that will shape what comes next."