Board Approves Investment Manager, Audit Firm

The Pennsylvania College of Technology Board of Directors on Thursday approved the college administration’s recommendations for an investment manager and an auditing firm.

An internal committee, with input from several Penn College Foundation Board members, as well as college faculty, reviewed and evaluated proposals and recommended that Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors Inc., Williamsport, the college’s current investment manager, be retained. The new fee structure will be less than the current level.

After a similar process, the college administration recommended that the firm of ParenteBeard, Williamsport, provide auditing services for the college for a three-year period. That recommendation was also approved by the board.

In other business, the board authorized the college to continue operations at the approved budgeted levels for 2013-14 if a state budget for 2014-15 is not passed and signed into law by the governor by June 30. This is a routine action presented each year to provide authority for the college to continue operating into the new fiscal year.

David R. Cotner, dean of the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, spoke about new leadership, new majors (such as applied technology studies and mechatronics), student and alumni accomplishments, and community involvement in the school. Cotner described a student-designed-and-manufactured press brake, which Board Member John M. Young deemed “a pretty remarkable achievement.”

Tom Gregory, associate vice president for instruction, told the board about a new academic program for Fall 2014: a two-year major in automotive technology: Mopar CAP emphasis, to be offered by the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies. Students will alternate eight-week periods in the on-campus lab and at their respective dealerships, totaling 40 weeks at each before earning an associate degree.

Paul L. Starkey, vice president for academic affairs/provost, reported that three faculty promotions have been approved for 2014-15. Promotions were granted to Joseph E. LeBlanc (physics), Barbara F. Dimarco (mathematics) and Jason E. Krick (construction management). All three faculty members were promoted from instructor to assistant professor.

Incoming Student Government Association President Ryan A. Gibson, an aviation maintenance technology major, updated the board on the organization’s activities and his plans for the next year.

Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour told the board about the college’s plans for participation in the USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C., later this month, the largest event of its kind nationwide.

Activities at the Penn College exhibit will include a welding simulator, a remote-controlled car challenge infused with first-person-viewing technology, and the Wildcat Electric Dragster, an electric Camaro built by automotive technology management students at the college. Board members also viewed an example of one of three new college display units that will be used at the festival.

“We’re very excited about it,” Gilmour said. “We’re looking forward to going.”

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held June 19.