September/October 2021
whatâs in THIS ISSUE
CollegeTowne CollegeTowne
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Volume 58 Issue 1
Alverniaâs Journey to CollegeTowne Mackenzie Coombs Managing Editor Alvernia expanded their presence into Reading at 401 Penn Street in June 2020. The former CNA building is now the home of Alverniaâs new academic programs and other extra-curricular activities. By moving their presence into downtown Reading, Alvernia hopes to help revitalize Reading and change the narrative around the city. The initiative took its first steps last year, in hopes to expand the educational and service values that the Bernadine Franciscan Sisters were founded upon. In an article provided by the universityâs website, the associate provost, vice president and chief operating officer for the OâPake Institute, Dr. Rodney Ridley said, âWe want to focus on developing student-centered entrepreneurial services in our new downtown space that will bring life to innovative ideas in an effort to create new ventures for downtown Reading. Through student-centered entrepreneurial services, partnerships with the local
community and associated resources, we will enhance the local entrepreneurial ecosystem by adding new and unique activities to help increase the success rate of businesses, especially at the beginning stages.â So far, things have been looking good as students have moved in for the semester. Within the year, the school got to work and made CollegeTowne an option for students to move into for the fall semester. Many were excited about the Starbucks that will be located on the first floor, the gym, BCTV, and more. But with shortages plaguing the U.S., the construction progress has been taking longer than expected â and thatâs no oneâs fault. Every day, CollegeTowne is being transformed into probably one of the greatest constructions that Alvernia has seen in a long while. As a result, Alvernia students must once more mind the dust as construction continues at CollegeTowne every day. The Starbucks still isnât finished, classrooms are still being put together, and every day, thereâs something
new being done. But at least the rooms are nice, right? Many students are reminded of the construction of the Plex when walking into the building, but theyâre more than happy to mind the way of the workers and are very excited to see what the building will be like when itâs completed. The best way to understand the reality of CollegeTowne is to talk to the students who live there. Hannah Ververs, a senior OT major, said, âThis building has a lot of potential. Also, I believe that itâs beneficial to the Reading Community to move Alvernia into Reading because itâs gaining more prospective students that didnât know Alvernia University could be the school for them. Many upperclassmen live in CollegeTowne this semester. With her busy schedule, Macy Smith had a few things to say about the building. Smith said, âThe building has the potential to be great. However, I think they offered this building to students a semester too early.â Smith felt that they were promised things that
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401 Penn Street has become CollegeTowne, a work in progress that promises to help revitalize downtown Reading.
Source: ALvernia University
Be Service T.R.U.E in Reading Interview
werenât going to be operable when she moved in. In fact, the building wasnât even ready when she moved in early for being an athlete. As frustrating as that was, Smithâs experiences here at CollegeTowne have been good for the most part. A lot of her friends live in the building, so itâs convenient for her to see them here rather than going back to campus every time she wants to see them. Smith has made a lot of memories in her short time living here and believes that living here was one of the best decisions that she has ever made. The largest concern for parents moving in students to CollegeTowne was security. With public safety in the main lobby 24/7, parents and students were put at ease, and more now than ever since the safety boxes have been established outside of the building. Soon, the Reading Police Academy will be found in CollegeTowne and will be watching for suspicious activity around the clock. Knowing this, the students living at CollegeTowne feel more secure and more at home than ever before. As this is the first semester CollegeTowne is open, problems were bound to arise, and concerns were going to be addressed. Every day, the building is being finished little by little. As problems emerge, building management and the University work to put together plans and adapt to the unexpected quirks of working downtown. By the end of the construction of CollegeTowne, it will be one of the best accomplishments that Alvernia has made!
Have a story tht youâd like to be featured? Reach out to either Dr. Lange or Mackenzie Coombs via email; ryan.lange or mackenzie.coombs @alvernia.edu