Board of Directors Approves Budget Adjustments

Pennsylvania College of Technology's Board of Directors on Thursday approved midyear budget adjustments, authorized "emeritus" status for a retired faculty member and approved the appointment of an alternate director to the Community Arts Center Board.

The board approved budget adjustments for the Unrestricted Current and Plant Funds to reflect the Fall 2006 enrollment numbers. Senior Vice President William J. Martin reported that the Fall 2006 total enrollment is 6,569, an increase of one-half of 1 percent over Fall 2005 (6,537) and another record for the college. The full-time equivalent enrollment also rose by one-half of 1 percent.

Martin also noted increases in the baccalaureate enrollment, which is now 40 percent, and the out-of-state enrollment, which now totals 10 percent.

The board approved "emeritus" status for Richard J. Weilminster, a longtime professor of horticulture in the School of Natural Resources Management who retired earlier this year. Weilminster had taught at Penn College and its predecessor institution Williamsport Area Community College since 1972. He was the 1986 recipient of the Master Teacher Award, the highest honor accorded to Penn College faculty members.

In other business, the board approved the appointment of Suzanne T. Stopper, associate vice president for business affairs/controller, as an alternate director on the Community Arts Center Board. The appointment will take effect for the December meeting of the Arts Center Board.

Lizabeth S. Mullens, vice president for academic affairs/provost, reported to the board regarding the college's newest faculty members for 2006-07. Six of the new faculty are alumni of the college.

Representatives of M&T Bank/M&T Investment Advisors, the firm that recently took over as investment manager for college funds, introduced themselves to the board and reported that the investment outlook is positive for the coming year.

College President Davie Jane Gilmour told the board that the recent Parent & Family Weekend was a resounding success, noting that many parents who met during the Connections orientation sessions this summer had a chance to get reacquainted.

Gilmour said National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia "was extremely impressed" with the college and the Madigan Library during his visit and tour here on Tuesday.

Following the board meeting, which was held at the Lumley Aviation Center, Colin W. Williamson, dean of transportation technology, led board members on a tour of the center's aircraft hangar and labs.