Board OKs Property Purchase, Anticipatory Budget Action

Published 04.29.2011

News

Bronwen C. Klem, left, and Nuria S. Hunter relate their experiences with the Penn College Youth Leadership program during Thursday's board of directors meeting.Pennsylvania College of Technology's Board of Directors on Thursday authorized the college administration to enter into an agreement to purchase a property at 944 First St.

If the sale is finalized, the property, situated across the street from the Student and Administrative Services Center, will be used for additional college parking, said Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour. It's adjacent to an existing gravel parking lot owned by the college. The property was the site of a single-family home that was damaged in a fire earlier this year.

In other business, the board authorized the college to continue operating at adjusted 2010-11 budget levels after June 30 if a 2011-12 state budget has not been passed by then. The precautionary measure, which allows for continuity of college services, has been taken by the board in recent years in the event the Legislature fails to enact a budget in the prescribed time frame.

The board approved the appointment of Larson, Kellett & Associates, P.C., to perform auditing services for the college. A letter engaging the firm to audit the college's financial records for the fiscal year ending June 30 was approved. The board also approved compensation for the firm for Fiscal Years 2011-13.

Changes to the college's Values and Mission statements were approved by the board. The changes were also reviewed and endorsed by College Council. The revisions were recommended to highlight more directly the college's commitment to diversity.

The board received a report from Paul L. Starkey, vice president for academic affairs/provost, on faculty promotions. There were no sabbatical leaves approved for 2011-12.

Faculty promotions, which take effect at the start of the 2011-12 academic year, are:

  • Michael P. Covone, applied health studies (School of Health Sciences), from assistant professor to associate professor
  • Margaret M. Faust, nursing programs (School of Health Sciences), from instructor to assistant professor
  • Kathleen M. Hyatt, nursing programs (School of Health Sciences), from instructor to assistant professor
  • Jeffrey M. Januchowski, automotive technology-Ford ASSET (School of Transportation Technology), from instructor to assistant professor
  • David M. Moyer, graphic design (School of Integrated Studies), from instructor to assistant professor
  • David S. Richards, physics (School of Integrated Studies), from associate professor to professor
  • Frank M. Suchwala, hospitality management/culinary arts (School of Hospitality), from instructor to assistant professor
  • Todd S. Woodling, building automation technologies/HVAC electrical (School of Construction and Design Technologies), from instructor to assistant professor
  • Daniel W. Yoas, computer information technology (School of Business and Computer Technologies), from assistant professor to associate professor

The Student Government Association's Gregory J. Miller, left, and Adam J. Yoder share their scholarship fundraising success.Outgoing Student Government Association President Adam J. Yoder introduced his successor, Gregory J. Miller, to the board.

Yoder said SGA fundraising efforts for the academic year included $5,000 for the Tracy A. Garis Memorial Scholarship Fund. Garis, a dental hygiene major, Resident Assistant and Student Ambassador from Hellertown, was killed in a crash on Interstate 80 in Luzerne County in June 2010.

"That is a tremendous effort to raise that kind of money, and for such a good cause," said Board of Directors Chairman Robert E. Dunham.

From the Penn College Youth Leadership program, the board welcomed Bronwen C. Klem, of South Williamsport Area High School, and Nuria S. Hunter, of Williamsport Area High School, who spoke briefly of their experiences and future plans.

"We actually got to help people which was great for us," Hunter said of the students' community-service efforts for the program.

"I met so many great people. "¦ I've learned so much," Klem added.

Youth Leadership students from high schools in Lycoming and Sullivan counties participated one Wednesday a month during the school year for the initiative. They gathered in the Thompson Professional Development Center on April 13 for their final presentations; a graduation ceremony is set for May 4.

"It was a great experience for us," Gilmour said. "It's going to be hard to say "˜Goodbye' to them next week."

The next board meeting is scheduled for June 23.