Umbrellas were the most coveted accessory, but nowhere near as essential as the information that visitors to Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Fall Open House carried home. Held across the institution’s awe-inspiring campuses, the autumn tradition delivered tours, priceless exchanges with helpful members of the campus community, valuable exposure to student life with those who live it and close-up views of the newest majors at a 103-year-old institution that never shows its age.
– Photos by Tia G. La and J.J. Boettcher, student photographers;
and Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday
The house is open, as are the skies, sending a daylong river of rainfall onto campus thoroughfares.
Families hit the road early – and hit the campus running – in order to see and hear everything they came to learn.
General information sessions, which supply a spectrum of crucial information under one roof, are an initial stop for many Open House attendees.
Set to debut next fall, the concrete science technology major is designed to prepare students for the production and analytical evaluation of one of industry’s most durable and versatile building materials.
Jeremy Smith (right), of Erie, who explored landscape/horticulture technology at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, travels back to Main Campus via shuttle bus with parents Lisa and Andrew, and sister Samantha.
John D. Vandevere, director of athletics, addresses a packed house – no surprise for the college’s first Open House since becoming a full member of NCAA Division III.
Community Peer Educator Tasia A. Werkmeister provides a sampling of the immersive activities that she and her colleagues provide their fellow students.
The welding lab (along with nearby instructional space for machining) collaborate on promoting the college’s forthcoming associate degree in metal fabrication technology.
Learned faculty, including Chef Michael J. Ditchfield, instructor of hospitality management/culinary arts, help carry the day …
… but it’s students who steal the show!
The license plate gives it away: You’re in the automotive technology: Ford ASSET emphasis lab with John R. Cuprisin, associate professor.
Electrical instructor Scott A. Seroskie (left), a 2006 graduate in electromechanical maintenance technology, welcomes families to the industrial electronics lab in the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies.
Equipped with a ready supply of answers, volunteers (such as Mary Ellen Hibbs, a data control assistant in the Admissions Office) make morning check-in an informative treat.
Dozens of hands-on demonstrations with a Halloween theme provided a playful eeriness in the “haunted” physics lab.
Brewmaster Timothy L. Yarrington, instructor for the two-year brewing and fermentation science major that began this semester, explains the rigor of the discipline …
… in one of the latest college labs to reflect a hugely viable industry trend.
A wireless job-site kiosk donated by Hensel Phelps adds interest to the already-compelling opportunities represented by the college’s construction management major.
Tuna Saka, associate professor of architectural technology, conducts a lab tour …
… where intricately detailed student designs never cease to fascinate.
Touting Penn College’s “green” careers are (from left) Carl J. Bower Jr. and Dennis P. Skinner, assistant professors of horticulture; Bryce P. Thompson, of Enola, enrolled in horticulture/landscape technology: landscape emphasis; and Michael A. Dincher, also an assistant professor.
Chip D. Baumgardner (center), associate professor of business administration/management, introduces instructional space dedicated to the college’s new innovation majors.
Sue A. Mahaffey, coordinator of enrollment management operations, helps visitors set their itinerary.
Mathematics at Penn College is spotlighted by Curt Vander Vere (left), assistant professor, and Ed Owens, associate professor.
Tours of campus housing, held in Rose Street Commons …
… provide a peek of the college’s attractive and impressive accommodations.
Among the day’s knowledgeable points of contact at the Allenwood area campus is Justin W. Beishline, assistant dean of transportation and natural resources technologies.
Anyone who thinks those skeletons are mere trick-or-treat window dressing couldn’t be more misguided; they’re year-’round learning tools for occupational therapy assistant majors and their Health Sciences classmates. 
David Galemore, of McSherrystown, with parents Tom and Rachel, picks out a souvenir in The College Store.
The Student Involvement Fair in the Bush Campus Center showcases the myriad outlets for engagement, from fraternities …
… to service groups …
… to officer training in the Bison Battalion.
During one of Sunday’s few breaks in the weather, forestry faculty member Erich R. Doebler takes an indomitable tour group to the college’s 8,000-square-foot sawmill, appropriately surrounded by the brilliant fall colors of Penn’s Woods.
Lisa M. Andrus, who will officially begin serving as dean of business and hospitality on Wednesday …
… conducts a school overview session with Brian D. Walton, assistant dean.
David A. Getty, an automotive technology management major from Pottstown, is among the scores of students proudly happy to share their passion with an Open House audience.
Bill P. Kilcoyne Jr., a diesel equipment technology instructor, leads a tour of ESC labs.
The responsibilities of a physical therapist assistant, as well as the exciting vocational possibilities for graduates, are discussed by Christine A. Tilburg, clinical director.
Among the academics-based organizations illuminating their chosen career paths are the Society of Plastics Engineers student chapter …
… and the Penn College Motorsports Association.
G. Andrew Bartholomay, an assistant professor of forest technology and adviser to the college’s Woodsman Team, talks with Open House guests.
The Children’s Learning Center and related instructional space for early childhood education are among the attractions in the School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications.
Throughout the day, smiles shone through the clouds, including this quartet of upbeat Admissions Office representatives. Clockwise from rear left are Presidential Student Ambassador Ryan Monteleone; Sarah R. Shott, coordinator of admissions operations; Dianna R. Weaver, also an ambassador; and Trevor I. Brandt, admissions counselor.
Edward A. Henninger, dean of health sciences …
… draws a crowd of people interested in the variety of majors in his academic school.
Pottstown residents Tom, Kim and Jason Francis pause during their soggy stroll for a portrait in campus exploration.
