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Business, Arts & Sciences General Information Innovation & Entrepreneurism

Penn College streamlines innovation leadership coursework

Pennsylvania College of Technology, the only institution in Pennsylvania permitted to offer innovation coursework through a partnership with the renowned Eureka! Ranch and Innovation Engineering Institute, has shortened the pathway to earning a competency credential in innovation leadership and the industry-recognized certifications that accompany it.

Beneficial in any field, the innovation leadership competency credential offers three courses that provide the theory, concepts and hands-on activities that teach systematic steps to stimulate – then implement – effective new ideas. Graduates are prepared to lead change within their industries, careers, communities and personal lives.

General Information Workforce Development

Five graduate from pre-apprenticeship program

Berger welcomes the crowd and explains the program's focus on "young people looking to explore a field, to begin a new career – in this case, advanced manufacturing." — Berger welcomes the crowd and explains the program’s focus on “young people looking to explore a field, to begin a new career – in this case, advanced manufacturing.”

Dickey – whose program helps young adults prepare for and succeed in education, training and employment – tells the cohort, "The skills you've learned are lifelong skills for any occupation." — Dickey – whose program helps young adults prepare for and succeed in education, training and
employment – tells the cohort, “The skills you’ve learned are lifelong skills for any occupation.”

Attendees were seated in Penn's Inn, appropriately spaced under pandemic protocols. — Attendees were seated in Penn’s Inn, appropriately spaced under pandemic protocols.

Sam Shea, human resources manager for PMF Industries Inc., was among the industry partners at Monday's event. PMF, which began by forming metal cocktail shakers in the 1960s, has grown into a premier manufacturer in such diverse fields as hospitality, aerospace and pharmaceuticals. — Sam Shea, human resources manager for PMF Industries Inc., was among the industry partners at Monday’s event. PMF, which began by forming metal cocktail shakers in the 1960s, has grown into a premier manufacturer in such diverse fields as hospitality, aerospace and pharmaceuticals.

Howard (right) gives a certificate (and a congratulatory elbow-bump) to Cormelison.

Penn College’s Advanced Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship program held a brief ceremony Monday morning, acknowledging the five graduates who successfully completed the 10-week training.

While the AMP program is generally geared toward students in high schools and career and technical centers, exposing them to potential livelihoods while they formulate their respective paths, the latest group featured young adults embarking on new adventures: Daquan Alford Jr., of Williamsport; Christopher Cormelison, of Hughesville; Racheal Pandolfell, of Berwick; Dylan Peters, of Mill Hall; and Ryan Yingling, of Lock Haven.

Sports Wildcat Weekly

Two Wildcat spring sports teams look to playoffs

Regular-season play for Pennsylvania College of Technology golf and tennis teams began just two weeks ago and – because of pared-down schedules due to the coronavirus pandemic – by this week’s end, their seasons will be over.

Golfers are scheduled to compete Saturday and Sunday in North Eastern Athletic Conference Championship play at Harrisburg’s Dauphin Highlands Golf Course while the men’s and women’s tennis teams are hopeful of a weekend NEAC tournament bid once they wrap up their regular seasons Tuesday.

Faculty & Staff

Penn College welcomes new employee

PCToday continues its regular feature – welcoming new full-time and regular part-time Pennsylvania College of Technology employees, as reported by the Human Resources Office.

Automated Manufacturing & Machining Automotive Collision Repair & Restoration Diesel & Power Generation Engineering Technologies Events Students

Like a well-oiled machine

A lineup of shiny trophies, made in The Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College, awaits the winners.

Sporting a stylish (and required) accessory, a PCMA-masked Hayden A. Straub, of Lewisburg, an information technology: network specialist concentration student, poses next to his 2014 Ford Fiesta ST. Straub is PCMA treasurer this year and will become the organization’s vice president in the fall.

A 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air is ready for the open road, with a dangling pair of dice that echoes, "Let's roll!" — A 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air is ready for the open road, with a dangling pair of dice that echoes, “Let’s roll!”

Beyond a bird's-eye view, this vantage from a nearby third-floor window shows the day's pleasant weather and heartening turnout. — Beyond a bird’s-eye view, this vantage from a nearby third-floor window shows the day’s pleasant weather and heartening turnout.

The show was open to any make and model of car, truck or motorcycle, and vehicles came in a variety of colors – including Wildcat blue!

Automotive aficionados reveled among kindred spirits Saturday at Penn College, where a variety of four-wheeled student organizations hosted an expansive Spring Car Show on the Carl Building Technologies Center parking lot. An estimated 130 entrants were on display during the 10-a.m.-to-4-p.m. event, the cooperative brainchild of the Penn College Motorsports Association, PCT 4×4, Penn College Classic Cruisers, Penn College Diesel Performance Club and the Baja SAE team. Lycoming Engines, a longtime supporter of the college – and employer of its graduates – was the “Club’s Choice Award Sponsor” for the day, providing trophies to the winners.

Admissions Automotive Baking, Pastry & Culinary Arts Business, Arts & Sciences Engineering Technologies Events Faculty & Staff Nursing & Health Sciences Radiography Students

College rolls out green carpet for Spring Visit Day

Presidential Student Ambassador Rudy C. Shadle, a construction management student from Mechanicsburg, stands ready to answer questions on the campus mall.

Robert K. Vlacich (in khaki pants), assistant professor of automotive service, offers insights inside the Parkes Automotive Technology Center.

Outside the entrance to Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, Todd M. Keeley, assistant professor of baking and pastry arts/culinary, presents a “picture” of what visitors will see inside the labs.

Stopping to smell the tulips in between her busy day of welcoming guests is Presidential Student Ambassador Danielle R. Wesneski, a 2019 baking and pastry arts graduate who will earn her bachelor’s degree in applied management next month.

Although students couldn’t be on hand due to attendance limitations, video interviews with radiography alumni gave voice to their campus experience.

The first of this month’s three Spring Visit Days was held Saturday, giving prospective students a comprehensive peek at Penn College while adhering to pandemic-imposed limitations on attendance. (The Admissions Office will host additional visitation events on Saturday and Sunday, April 24-25.) Attendees began their day with check-in and a presentation in the Klump Academic Center, followed by lab tours in selected academic areas. Optional activities added to participants’ feel for the breadth of life on the vibrant and verdant campus: housing, financial aid, tutoring and other academic support, athletics, placement testing, advisement and scheduling, student organizations, disability services, veterans benefits and dining options. More information about visiting campus is available by contacting Admissions.

Faculty & Staff Students

SGA celebrates 2020-21 lineup of all-star classmates, employees

SGA celebrates 2020-21's all-star roster

As the academic year draws to a close, a fitting opportunity for the Penn College community to catch its collective breath after a tempestuous 2020-21, the Student Government Association recaps its monthly student and faculty/staff honorees.

Events Faculty & Staff Students

Students, employees inoculated at collaborative on-campus clinic

Kendra F. Boell, physician assistant instructor, administers a vaccine to Miguel A. Callado, a construction management student residing in Williamsport.

Penn College and UPMC Susquehanna partnered to offer a by-appointment COVID-19 vaccination clinic in the Field House on Friday, administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to hundreds of students, faculty and staff. (Recipients were automatically registered to receive the other half of the two-dose regimen on May 7.)

Alumni College Relations Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic General Information Nursing & Health Sciences Penn College at Wellsboro Workforce Development

PPL supports training for front-line health care workers

Student Aleyah D. Walter, of Hughesville, uses a Smartscope that produces a specific lung sound when placed against a preprogrammed "torso." The simulator, purchased through a PPL Foundation grant and based at Pennsylvania College of Technology's Wellsboro campus, can mimic a variety of symptoms and easily be transported to other training venues. At right is Timothy A. Weaver, noncredit instructor for basic life support and a 2011 Penn College alumnus in emergency medical services.

Future health care professionals have access to a learning tool that simulates respiratory symptoms likely to be encountered in the field, thanks to a $2,500 sustaining grant from PPL Foundation to Pennsylvania College of Technology.

The 2020 contribution enabled purchase of a lung sounds simulator, which mimics real-life scenarios essential to educating health care providers.

“PPL is pleased to partner with Penn College to help enhance training for current and aspiring health care professionals,” said Tracie L. Witter, regional affairs director. “We appreciate the efforts of Penn College Workforce Development to help improve the skills of our community’s front-line workers.”

Alumni Nursing & Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Assistant

Penn College program boasts 100% certification for Class of ’20

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s 2020 class of occupational therapy assistant graduates achieved a 100% pass rate on the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant exam.

The exam is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Fifty states, Guam, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., require NBCOT certification in order to be licensed to practice as an occupational therapy assistant.

General Information

Flags lowered in memory of Indiana shooting victims

The White House has ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff after eight people were fatally shot Thursday at a FedEx warehouse in Indianapolis. President Biden directed that the flags be lowered until sunset Tuesday “as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence.”

Alumni Students

Hands-on skills draw seven employers to Penn College

Students and alumni from a variety of majors in Penn College’s School of Engineering Technologies can choose a career path from among seven prospective employers during the days ahead.

Staffing information tables are:

Gorick Construction Co. Inc. – 9 a.m.-noon Monday, April 19; Schneebeli Earth Science Center diesel lab (Room 163)
Construction Specialties – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, April 19; Hager Lifelong Education Center lobby
Canpack – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, April 20; College Avenue Labs, Room 140
Transteck Inc. – 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, April 21; ESC diesel lab
HB McClure Co. – 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 21; LEC lobby (Interviews Friday, April 23, in Room 213 of Madigan Library)
Altec – 9 a.m.-noon Friday, April 23; ESC diesel lab
Jesco – 9 a.m.-noon Friday, April 23; ESC diesel lab

For more, including specific majors sought by each of those companies, consult the Career Services flyer: Pop-Up Tables

General Information Students

ROTC battalion hosts visit by mobile VR simulator

Eric Wilbur (in cap), traveled from Army ROTC's headquarters in Fort Knox, Ky., to engage his college audience. — Eric Wilbur (in cap), traveled from Army ROTC’s headquarters in Fort Knox, Ky., to engage his college audience.

Sam H. Maxwell, a building construction technology from West Point, N.Y., gets a glimpse of Army life through an officer's "eyes." — Sam H. Maxwell, a building construction technology from West Point, N.Y., gets a glimpse of Army life through an officer’s “eyes.”

A towering inflatable mascot keeps vigil.

In addition to the VR experience inside, the vehicle shares officers' stories outside through interactive touch-screen technology. — In addition to the VR experience inside, the vehicle shares officers’ stories outside through interactive touch-screen technology.

Army ROTC’s “Decide to Lead” trailer, a virtual reality simulator that provides a glimpse into the daily life of a junior officer, was stationed on main campus Thursday. Interested students were invited to tour the exhibit, which allowed them to don a VR headset and exercise critical-thinking skills as a platoon leader. Bald Eagle Battalion (comprising Penn College, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities, and Lycoming College) helped arrange the portable attraction’s local appearance. The recruitment vehicle and accompanying information tables attracted passersby on the Susquehanna Street mall, just outside Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Events Faculty & Staff Students

Virtual ceremony honors ‘adaptable, forward-thinking’ campus leaders

The 2020-21 Student Leadership & Involvement Awards, held virtually by the Office of Student Engagement for the second year, were presented Wednesday evening to a deserving lineup of campus notables.

“There have certainly been some challenging circumstances presented to all our student organizations and student leaders during the past year,” said Trisha M. Temple, coordinator of student engagement. “They have been asked to shift the format of meetings, find creative ways to recruit new members while engaging with current members, and reimaging how to safely plan and host events on campus. It hasn’t always been easy, but the students have been adaptable, forward-thinking, committed and truly willing to put in the extra work. Even a worldwide pandemic couldn’t slow our Wildcats down!”

Alumni Faculty & Staff

A green, pristine calling card: ‘Penn College was here’

Chad L. Karstetter, horticulturist/motor pool lead person (and a 1999 forest technology alumnus), cuts with a chainsaw while Gregory A. Weaver, an HVAC-refrigeration mechanic, pulls brush.

Those who assume responsibility for cleaning up the commonwealth’s roads under the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Adopt-a-Highway program – and more than 3,500 volunteers have signed on for stewardship of nearly 8,000 miles to date – generally have their commendable hands full tending to litter pickup alone. Penn College General Services, which keeps the entire institution humming and beautiful year-round, obviously didn’t stop there in its first official roadside foray. (The college contracted last year to adopt the Interstate 180 on/off ramps south of campus, but the state suspended the program in Spring 2020 when many counties were under stay-at-home orders.) The “all hands on deck” work detail was initiated by Timothy M. Weigle, associate director of maintenance, and a large group of tool-wielding co-workers, equipped by PennDOT with safety vests and trash bags, made quick work of enhancing the neighborhood.

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