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Job-ready students, alumni draw employers to campus

Three companies hoping to match open positions with the real-world skills of Penn College students and alumni will hold information sessions this week.

For more information, including applicable positions and academic majors, check out Career Services’ flyer: Employers on campus

State Senate Appropriations Committee chair tours campus

Always engaged and advocating for the college, Yaw (right) converses with Browne in the atrium of the Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center.

State Sen. Patrick M. Browne, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, visited Pennsylvania College of Technology on Thursday.

Browne, who represents the 16th District – which includes Allentown and other municipalities within Lehigh County – came to campus after presenting an election and legislative update at a breakfast sponsored by the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

He was invited by fellow Appropriations Committee member Sen. Gene Yaw, who also serves as chairman of the Penn College Board of Directors. Yaw also hosted the Chamber legislative update event, held at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport.

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Forestry students extensively tour local veneer operation

South talks with forestry students during Monday's visit.

Students in Erich R. Doebler’s Forest Products class this week visited the Danzer plant on Reach Road, one of the few veneer mills in Pennsylvania. The group met with Paul R. South, a 2016 forest technology graduate of Penn College. He discussed the process of buying logs, specifications, in-demand species and how the log purchasing process is conducted. The students were also given a tour of the facility, where they were able to see the sawmill, as well as the log banding, log cooking, surfacing, slicing, drying and packaging processes. About a half-dozen Penn College alumni are employed by Danzer, formerly known as Keystone Veneers Inc. “This is an exceptionally personal tour,” said the instructor (who also provided the photo), “and something right in our backyard that many do not get the opportunity to experience.”

Horticulture students enjoy bountiful PSU field trip

Students tour the arboretum's Children's Garden.

Back row (from left): Burk; Smithmyer; students Benjamin A. Mowrer, Manheim; Jack R. Mannke, Glen Mills; Kendall A. Wanner, Denver, Pa.; Rachel A. Walton, Orwigsburg; Jeremy M. Smith, (in green hat, partially hidden), Erie; Anthony M. Schauble, (visible above the rest, with blonde hair), Nazareth; Joseph A. Kern, Mechanicsburg; James S. Essig, Bernville; Alex D. Reichner, Sunbury; Jaclyn N. Wolf, Gettysburg; and Aaron A. Sledge (Spring 2018 alumnus, now studying plant science at Penn State). Front row (from left): Diana M. Willman, Dillsburg; Amanda N. Suda, Harrisburg; Oceana R. Copley, Williamsport; Laura L. La Grave, Lewisburg; Drew J. Marsh, Marble; Kendra M. Snyder, Montoursville; Rachel L. Hill, Centre Hall; and Adriana S. Lee, Williamsport.

Burk explains the arboretum's infiltration basin.

A visit to Scott's Landscaping

Carl J. Bower Jr. recently took 18 of his landscape/horticulture technology students on a field trip to several sites in and around State College, including the one-acre Penn State Student Farm/Campus Supported Agriculture, the university’s greenhouse production facility, the Penn State Arboretum and one of the Forestry Building’s green roofs. After a visit to the Berkey Creamery, the group met up with Scott A. Burk, president of Scott’s Landscaping and Wheatfield Nursery (and a member of the college’s Landscape/Horticulture Technology Advisory Committee), and 2002 graduate Frederick B. Smithmyer, operations manager at Scott’s. They talked about various landscape projects on the University Park campus, including several green roofs and the arboretum, and finished the day with a tour of Wheatfield Nursery and Scott’s Landscaping, where the group encountered even more Penn College alumni.
Photos by Bower, assistant professor of horticulture

Penn College helps high schoolers build their future

With a skilled worker shortage presenting a tremendous opportunity for rewarding careers in the construction and design industry, Penn College’s inaugural “PA Build Your Future” event introduced those varied vocational possibilities to hundreds of high school students from throughout the state. Industry exhibitors – as well as college faculty, staff and students – offered participants “hands-on” experiences as a way to explore an exciting future. “If I’m running a company and I’m hiring and I need someone that’s an electrical assembler, I need to hire that person and have him or her start immediately and be as efficient as possible and get up to speed,” says Jeffrey C. Comitz, an applications engineer for Thermal Product Solutions (and a 2016 graduate in heating, ventilation and air conditioning design technology). “The days of, ‘Oh, OK, we’ll teach ’em, they’ll get it eventually’ … they’re over.”

Photo gallery

Future-seekers meet their match at Fall Open House

Savoring an autumn outing and academic exploration

Fall Open House visitors had unfettered access to Penn College’s vibrant campuses Sunday, as today’s faculty/staff, alumni and students provided them with a tantalizing view of a very real and credible tomorrow. All six academic schools put out the welcome mat through information sessions, tours and laboratory demonstrations, and guests were encouraged to explore the institution’s myriad complementary services and activities.

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Alexis I. Ashby chosen as October’s ‘Student of the Month’

Alexis I. Ashby

Alexis I. Ashby, enrolled in Pennsylvania College of Technology’s School of Nursing & Health Sciences, has been selected as the October “Student of the Month.”

A resident of Williamsport, Ashby earned an associate degree in surgical technology in August.

She is employed full time by UPMC Susquehanna as a certified surgical technologist and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in applied health studies: surgical technology concentration. She is taking additional classes in hopes of pursuing a master’s in physician assistant studies after graduation.

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BE Scholars visit Larson Design Group

Built Environment Scholars tour LDG's Williamsport headquarters ...

... getting a real-world feel for their eventual careers.

The School of Construction & Design Technologies’ second-year cohort of Built Environment Scholars visited Larson Design Group on Tuesday. The 14 students – accompanied by Carol A. Lugg, dean, and Naim N. Jabbour, assistant dean – toured LDG’s newly renovated state-of-the-art office space in Water Tower Square, and had a discussion with project designer (and 2006 architectural technology alumna) Kara Demmien and Vice President Robert Gehr. Topics included the state of architectural practice today, as well as possible future trends, the importance of creating collaborative open environments, and the significance of an interdisciplinary team approach within the construction and design industry. The first-year students have been awarded scholarships through a $1 million National Science Foundation grant that aims to increase retention, graduation and career readiness for enrollees in Penn College’s STEM-focused majors. The 2018-19 class represents architectural technology; building construction technology; civil engineering technology; heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology; and surveying technology.
Photos provided

Young nursing professionals network at ‘Sip and Snap’ event

Nursing's Oct. 8 "Sip and Snap" event provides an inviting venue for networking in Le Jeune Chef.Penn College’s Bachelor of Science Nursing Honor Society, in collaboration with UPMC Susquehanna and the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, recently hosted a “Sip and Snap” event for young nursing professionals at Le Jeune Chef Restaurant. Participants had the opportunity to network, have their resumes reviewed by UPMC Susquehanna, gather interview tips and obtain a quality photograph for use on social media sites. Thirty-one nurses and students attended the event, which included a signature beverage and a Classical Cuisine buffet. The digital headshots were taken in the Thompson Professional Development Center by Mark W. Wilson, graphic design instructor, and graphic design students Luke A. Bierly, of Centre Hall, and Kennedy L. Englert, of Williamsport.
Photo by Duncan Rodriguez, a 2017 nursing alumnus

Penn College Career Fair attracts record number of employers

Penn College student John J. Gisonna (right), a heating, ventilation and air conditioning design technology major from Monroe, N.Y., talks with recruiters from SmartEdge. Representing the Tonawanda, N.Y.-based building controls company at the college’s Career Fair are Garret Smith (left), mechanical specialist, and Michael J. Burns, service sales engineer.

Thanks to a new two-day format, a record number of employers recruited Pennsylvania College of Technology students during the school’s Fall Career Fair.

More than 300 employers – representing all economic sectors and 16 Fortune 500 companies – visited campus, offering more than 3,000 job and internship opportunities.

“We needed to expand the Career Fair because of the tremendous demand for our technically skilled students,” said Erin S. Shultz, coordinator of career development. “Despite stretching the event over two days, we still had a waiting list of nearly 90 employers. Clearly, our students and their ‘degrees that work’ are very attractive to employers.”

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Minority student scholarship gets boost toward full endowment

Two senior administrators at Pennsylvania College of Technology have made a commitment to a scholarship that benefits minority students enrolled at the college and supports diversity initiatives within the institution’s strategic plan.

Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management and associate provost, and Elliott Strickland Jr., vice president for student affairs, will match up to $5,000 in new contributions made to The Start to Finish Minority Student Scholarship at Penn College.

“We are proud to support the Start to Finish Scholarship because it represents the best of Penn College – a scholarship developed for students, by students,” the Stricklands said. “This scholarship will help students, many from marginalized backgrounds, by providing needed funding so they can complete their ‘degrees that work’ at Penn College. We would encourage all members of Penn College’s extended family to consider giving to this new scholarship. Your generosity can make a true impact on our future.”

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Start building a Penn College future at Oct. 28 Open House

The Madigan Library (left) and Bush Campus Center are two of the facilities that visitors to Pennsylvania College of Technology may tour during Fall Open House on Sunday, Oct. 28.

Students looking for a bold next step in their educational journey are encouraged to attend an Oct. 28 Open House at Pennsylvania College of Technology, where “future made by hand” is a template for success.

“Visiting a college campus should be an experience. At Open House, students are able to touch, see and explore their future,” said Claire Z. Biggs, assistant director of admissions. “From the state-of-the-art labs to the knowledgeable faculty and staff, Penn College is the place to be if you want to be a tomorrow maker.”

The college will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for prospective students and their families to explore more than 100 bachelor’s, associate and certificate programs. Free bus service will be available on the main campus in Williamsport, and shuttles will transport guests to and from the nearby Lumley Aviation and Schneebeli Earth Science centers throughout the day.

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Insightful alum urges students to stoke passions, make connections

A 2007 recipient of the college's Alumnus Achievement Award, Jeffcoat talks with students during a late-September return to campus.

Pennsylvania College of Technology alumnus Keith L. Jeffcoat recently returned to his roots to share advice and industry experience with the next generation of students.

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The third time’s a charmer!

Enjoying the autumnal alumni evening (from left): Timothy D. Haldeman, ’11, manufacturing engineering technology; Michael D. Ferraiolo, ’10, aviation technology, and ‘11, aviation maintenance technology, and guest, Melyssa McHale; and Whitnie-rae (Mays) Haldeman, ’12, advertising art, and ’14, applied technology studies.

The disparate threads of Homecoming and Parent & Family Weekend were woven together again this fall, producing another seamless tapestry of fun and reconnection for graduates, current students and families. The third annual combined celebration kicked off with a Friday bonfire, tent party and Hall of Fame Banquet; continued Saturday with a presidential breakfast, Williamsport bus and trolley excursions, lab tours, a golf outing and on-campus sporting events, arts and crafts, and an alumni reunion at downtown nightspots; and concluded Sunday with more athletics and a fond farewell (until next year)!

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School of Nursing & Health Sciences hosts celebration

Pennsylvania College of Technology welcomed several School of Nursing & Health Sciences alumni back to campus to speak at an event celebrating the school’s name change, its academic majors, and milestone anniversaries for two programs: occupational therapy assistant (30 years) and physician assistant (20 years). From left are Megan Wright, ’12, a physician assistant practicing physical medicine and rehabilitation; Brian Webster, ’06, a nurse practitioner specializing in emergency and family nursing; President Davie Jane Gilmour; Sandra L. Richmond, dean of nursing and health sciences; and Michele “Mindy” Tedesco, ’88, a registered occupational therapist specializing in home health care.

The School of Nursing & Health Sciences at Pennsylvania College of Technology held a multifaceted celebration on Oct. 4 by hosting an open house of its facilities and welcoming accomplished alumni, who reflected on how their education has shaped their careers.

“We come together … to celebrate the positive impact all 10 of our nursing and health sciences programs have on our students’ lives, the professions in which they work, and the communities they serve,” said Sandra L. Richmond, dean of nursing and health sciences.

Of particular significance during the celebration was a change to the school’s name: from the School of Health Sciences to the School of Nursing & Health Sciences, and the anniversaries of the occupational therapy assistant program, whose first students graduated 30 years ago, and the physician assistant program, which graduated its first students 20 years ago.

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