Penn College Campus Again Serves as Gateway to World Series Welcome

Published 08.14.2013

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The Gallery at Penn College

Penn College helped open the Little League World Series for the fifth straight year Wednesday, serving a picnic dinner to the 16 teams in competition before accompanying them to the Grand Slam Parade that formed near the main campus' northwestern boundary. Players, coaches, team "uncles," umpires and other guests were also treated to an exhibit of past Series photographs, running through month's end in The Gallery at Penn College. As the parade moved downtown from Grier Street, student and employee volunteers – led by President Davie Jane Gilmour and the college's tireless Wildcat mascot – interacted with spectators through giveaways and goodwill. The events also attracted video coverage from regional media outlets, including WOLnews.

− Photos by Jennifer A. Cline, writer/editor-One College Avenue; Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor;
Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer; and Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday


 A row of high-fiving Penn College students greets the Europe/Africa team from the Czech Republic.

A row of high-fiving Penn College students greets the Europe/Africa team from the Czech Republic.

Yazmin E. Strauss, a student in business administration: marketing concentration, escorts her assigned team – the Northwest Region entry from Sammamish, Wash. – from the library to the cookout near the Bush Campus Center.

Yazmin E. Strauss, a student in business administration: marketing concentration, escorts her assigned team – the Northwest Region entry from Sammamish, Wash. – from the library to the cookout near the Bush Campus Center.

Student volunteer Ryan M. Enders, a technology management major, leads the Asia-Pacific team (from Chinese Taipei) past a

Student volunteer Ryan M. Enders, a technology management major, leads the Asia-Pacific team (from Chinese Taipei) past a "Welcome" sign.

Teams from the Mexico and Mid-Atlantic regions intermingle for photographers after their shared bus ride from the Little League complex.

Teams from the Mexico and Mid-Atlantic regions intermingle for photographers after their shared bus ride from the Little League complex.

In preteen etiquette books, it's only proper to sample cupcake icing en route to the table.

In preteen etiquette books, it's only proper to sample cupcake icing en route to the table.

Little League host Carol Weinhoffer joins the only girl in this year's Series: the Czech Republic's Eliska Stejskalova.

Little League host Carol Weinhoffer joins the only girl in this year's Series: the Czech Republic's Eliska Stejskalova.

After swapping caps, new friends on the Japan and Southwest regional teams

After swapping caps, new friends on the Japan and Southwest regional teams "hot dog" it for the camera.

Physics instructor Joseph E. LeBlanc, who is fluent in Spanish and Japanese, interviews a Latin American player for Williamsport Independent Media.

Physics instructor Joseph E. LeBlanc, who is fluent in Spanish and Japanese, interviews a Latin American player for Williamsport Independent Media.

Recalling some of his own all-star colleagues – such names as Mays, McCovey and Marichal – Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry congratulates this year's teammates ...

Recalling some of his own all-star colleagues – such names as Mays, McCovey and Marichal – Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry congratulates this year's teammates ...

... and cheerfully indulges a seemingly endless string of photo requests.

... and cheerfully indulges a seemingly endless string of photo requests.

This year's Series umpires congregate on the Bush Campus Center hill before moving to the parade staging area.

This year's Series umpires congregate on the Bush Campus Center hill before moving to the parade staging area.

A member of the Mid-Atlantic team from Newark, Del., squeezes his name onto the crowdedly signed T-shirt of student volunteer Lauren J. Crouse, an applied human services major.

A member of the Mid-Atlantic team from Newark, Del., squeezes his name onto the crowdedly signed T-shirt of student volunteer Lauren J. Crouse, an applied human services major.

Led by

Led by "Uncles" Mick Cioffi (left) and Denny Logan, the Asia-Pacific team leaves the picnic grounds for the march downtown.

The Mexico team (from Tijuana, Baja California) passes the time with a fast-paced elimination contest involving syncopated hand-clapping.

The Mexico team (from Tijuana, Baja California) passes the time with a fast-paced elimination contest involving syncopated hand-clapping.

The college mascot welcomes players and guests on a banner outside the food tent.

The college mascot welcomes players and guests on a banner outside the food tent.

Midwest players, from Urbandale, Iowa, are guided to the gallery by student helper Hanan Almuhathab.

Midwest players, from Urbandale, Iowa, are guided to the gallery by student helper Hanan Almuhathab.

A Series participant views photos of the Little League

A Series participant views photos of the Little League "field of dreams," a venue that he'll experience firsthand in a relative matter of hours.

A member of the Aguadulce, Panama, team takes a photo of a photo in the Putsee Vannucci exhibit.

A member of the Aguadulce, Panama, team takes a photo of a photo in the Putsee Vannucci exhibit.

Players, coaches and Little League guardians get an eyeful during a brief stopover in The Gallery at Penn College.

Players, coaches and Little League guardians get an eyeful during a brief stopover in The Gallery at Penn College.

Teams disembark outside Madigan Library, where they are greeted by student/staff ambassadors.

Teams disembark outside Madigan Library, where they are greeted by student/staff ambassadors.

Bryan L. Coffey shepherds a team of New Englanders (Westport, Conn.) to the food tent.

Bryan L. Coffey shepherds a team of New Englanders (Westport, Conn.) to the food tent.

Members of President's Council, gathered west of the Campus Center, add a personal touch to the afternoon festivities.

Members of President's Council, gathered west of the Campus Center, add a personal touch to the afternoon festivities.

In her dual role as college president and chair of Little League International, Davie Jane Gilmour is emblematic of each's organization's international reach.

In her dual role as college president and chair of Little League International, Davie Jane Gilmour is emblematic of each's organization's international reach.

Champs of the Canada Region (representing Ottawa, Ontario), move through the dining line.

Champs of the Canada Region (representing Ottawa, Ontario), move through the dining line.

A fun photo op with Caribbean players allows the Wildcat to say,

A fun photo op with Caribbean players allows the Wildcat to say, "Hats off!" to all of this year's Series teams.

President Davie Jane Gilmour makes Series guests feel at home, alerting players to the public adoration that awaits them all along the parade route.

President Davie Jane Gilmour makes Series guests feel at home, alerting players to the public adoration that awaits them all along the parade route.

College Information and Community Relations' Tom Speicher, a longtime member of the Series broadcast team, helps keep the program on schedule.

College Information and Community Relations' Tom Speicher, a longtime member of the Series broadcast team, helps keep the program on schedule.

Members of the Japan team pause for a photo while filling their plates.

Members of the Japan team pause for a photo while filling their plates.

Kelly M. Daum and Kacey S. Ammerman, a nursing student, take a shot with the Wildcat.

Kelly M. Daum and Kacey S. Ammerman, a nursing student, take a shot with the Wildcat.

Surgical technology student Bryan L. Coffey swaps stories with college President Davie Jane Gilmour while waiting for the parade to begin.

Surgical technology student Bryan L. Coffey swaps stories with college President Davie Jane Gilmour while waiting for the parade to begin.

Whitnie-Rae Mays collected signatures from the team she escorted.

Whitnie-Rae Mays collected signatures from the team she escorted.

Parade-goers express their thanks for “What Does the Wildcat Want to Be When It Grows Up?” coloring books.

Parade-goers express their thanks for “What Does the Wildcat Want to Be When It Grows Up?” coloring books.

Members of the Rob Cooley (assistant professor of anthropology/environmental science) and David S. Richards (professor of physics) families enjoy the parade together.

Members of the Rob Cooley (assistant professor of anthropology/environmental science) and David S. Richards (professor of physics) families enjoy the parade together.

The Wildcat waves to its adoring fans, followed by the Penn College float.

The Wildcat waves to its adoring fans, followed by the Penn College float.

Youngsters greet the beloved mascot.

Youngsters greet the beloved mascot.

Technology management student Whitnie-Rae Mays hands out coloring books with a smile.

Technology management student Whitnie-Rae Mays hands out coloring books with a smile.

A youngster explores his new gift.

A youngster explores his new gift.

Riding a float that promotes an exhibit of World Series photos by legendary local photographer Putsee Vannucci, are (from left) Bryan L. Coffey, President Gilmour and Daniel S. Honovic, a building automation technology student.

Riding a float that promotes an exhibit of World Series photos by legendary local photographer Putsee Vannucci, are (from left) Bryan L. Coffey, President Gilmour and Daniel S. Honovic, a building automation technology student.

The Wildcat gets attention from a WNEP videographer …

The Wildcat gets attention from a WNEP videographer …

… and makes the most of it.

… and makes the most of it.

The float makes its entrance to the downtown under ideal skies.

The float makes its entrance to the downtown under ideal skies.

Manufacturing engineering technology major Benjamin D. Lopatofsky drives the college’s mini Baja vehicle - designed, constructed and raced by students in the manufacturing engineering technology major to an impressive sixth-place finish among 100 colleges.

Manufacturing engineering technology major Benjamin D. Lopatofsky drives the college’s mini Baja vehicle - designed, constructed and raced by students in the manufacturing engineering technology major to an impressive sixth-place finish among 100 colleges.

Surgical technology student Hanan Almuhathab gives out coloring books in a densely crowded downtown.

Surgical technology student Hanan Almuhathab gives out coloring books in a densely crowded downtown.

Tina M. Miller, the college’s director of marketing communications, helps spread the Penn College message.

Tina M. Miller, the college’s director of marketing communications, helps spread the Penn College message.

The Wildcat accepts hugs from its fans.

The Wildcat accepts hugs from its fans.

With vintage camera equipment in hand, students April M. Tucker, an applied human services student, and Kelly M. Daum, majoring in applied health studies: occupational therapy assistant concentration, help promote The Gallery at Penn College’s Little League photo exhibit.

With vintage camera equipment in hand, students April M. Tucker, an applied human services student, and Kelly M. Daum, majoring in applied health studies: occupational therapy assistant concentration, help promote The Gallery at Penn College’s Little League photo exhibit.

A fan of the Australia team records the festivities.

A fan of the Australia team records the festivities.

Parade-goers pose for the photography-themed float.

Parade-goers pose for the photography-themed float.

Yazmin E. Strauss hands out trading pins.

Yazmin E. Strauss hands out trading pins.

Surgical technology student Heather R. Krepps and baking and pastry arts major Samantha-Jo Bradley lead the Penn College parade entry.

Surgical technology student Heather R. Krepps and baking and pastry arts major Samantha-Jo Bradley lead the Penn College parade entry.

The world at our doorstep

The world at our doorstep

"So, this was the Internet?!?!??" a New England player asks, as a photographer explains the old-school method of transmitting images over the wire.

An adorable pair of baseball buddies

An adorable pair of baseball buddies

The freckled, cherubic face of a Southeast player, hailing from Nashville, Tenn., is fixed on a gallery image.

The freckled, cherubic face of a Southeast player, hailing from Nashville, Tenn., is fixed on a gallery image.

Great Lakes Region players from Grosse Pointe, Mich., honor the past while adding to the Series tradition.

Great Lakes Region players from Grosse Pointe, Mich., honor the past while adding to the Series tradition.

Although photos of famous athletes got their share of attention,

Although photos of famous athletes got their share of attention, "Dugout" held its own. This Australian player was thrilled to find a photo of the Little League mascot in the exhibit, repeatedly holding up his stuffed version for comparison.

The

The "I Love Little League because …" wall sees a lot of activity, as players jump and jockey to see who can "win" top placement for their baseball observations.

The gallery's comment wall continues to fill up ...

The gallery's comment wall continues to fill up ...

From Chula Vista, Calif., to Williamsport: The West team enters the gallery during its campus visit.

From Chula Vista, Calif., to Williamsport: The West team enters the gallery during its campus visit.

A parting wave

A parting wave

... with insights such as this one:

... with insights such as this one: "Because you can bond with friends and be on ESPN."