The School of Humanities and Social Sciences hosts a variety of events throughout the year that allow students, faculty, staff, and the community to enjoy and explore music, art, literature, writing, and societal issues.

Ongoing educational and supportive programs are also offered to international students to improve their proficiency in the English language.

  • Choral Ensembles
    Penn State Behrend's choral ensembles include the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. Both are available to take for credit and fun.
  • Creative Writers Reading Series
    The Smith Reading Series brings celebrated writers of poetry, fiction, and literary non-fiction to campus (in-person or virtually) to read their new works and talk to the students about their work, literature, and the literary world. 
  • English Language Study Center
    We offer a range of classes and support services, including courses in English for multilingual learners that help non-native English speakers improve writing, listening and speaking, reading, and culture and conversational skills.
  • Festival of Writing
    The Earth's Eye Festival of Writing in and on the Natural World, held each year in the early fall, is a Saturday of workshops, panel discussions, readings, and more led by Penn State Behrend faculty and other accomplished writers.
  • Gender Conference
    Since 2007, Penn State Behrend has organized a yearly conference to discuss questions of gender and sexuality. The idea originated with faculty who felt a need to discuss how representations of gender, and research about questions of gender, affect all the academic disciplines. There is no registration fee or process for attending the conference. All are welcome.
  • Instrumental Ensembles
    Penn State Behrend's musical ensembles, including the Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, and Pep Band, perform several concerts throughout the year.
  • Music at Noon: The Logan Series 
    In our free Music at Noon: The Logan Series concerts, listeners are treated to world-class performances mixed with dialogue and interaction in an informal setting where lunches and casual attire are welcome. Key funding for Music at Noon: The Logan Series comes from Mrs. Kay Logan, a deeply committed supporter of arts and education at Penn State Behrend. Mrs. Logan founded the Logan Series in 1989.
  • Psychology Colloquiums
    Our Psychology Department brings speakers from around the world to discuss aspects of the field, the research they've accomplished, and innovations that may change our outlooks on life in the Colloquium Series in Psychological Sciences and Human Behavior. These presentations are open to the public and our Psychology undergraduates.
  • Study at Disney World
    Travel to Disney World while conducting undergraduate research and fulfilling GEN ED requirements. Typically scheduled during Maymester or Spring Break.
  • Theatre Productions
    The college's Studio Theatre, an intimate performance space, is the site for two or three major theatre productions each year, staged by Penn State Behrend student thespians drawn from all academic disciplines.
  • Chautauqua Writers’ Festival
    Due to Creative Writing Professor George Looney's position as co-founder and co-director of the Chautauqua Writers' Festival, the Creative Writing program sends several student scholars to the festival each year at a reduced cost paid by the program. At the festival, the students get to work with writers of national stature in workshops, attend panel sessions and readings, and enter into a community of writers more varied in terms of age and experiences than the community they have here with their peers. It is an invaluable opportunity for our young writers.

 

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