PennWest welcomes nearly 2,000 first-year students

Three campuses welcomed new and returning students to a new, unified university, as PennWest celebrated Welcome Weekend 2022.

California, Clarion and Edinboro welcomed nearly 2,000 first-year students to their new on-campus residence halls.

The four-day celebration featured new events and annual favorites – including California’s traditional candle-lighting ceremony, Clarion’s WINGO and Edinboro’s Boro Bash.

On Friday following Convocation for first-year students, each campus hosted a ceremonial flag-raising to celebrate the Class of 2026 and the new integration of three universities.

"While it marks an official beginning for Pennsylvania Western University, I want to share what I see when I look at it," said Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson, founding president of PennWest. "I see the flag as official welcome to our very first class and the faculty, staff and students who have worked so hard to make today a reality."

PennWest also celebrated the first official day of classes for the fall 2022 academic semester on Monday, Aug. 22.

View a slideshow of Welcome Weekend festivities at https://bit.ly/PennWestWelcome2022.

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