News about Alumni

Alumni Events

For detailed information about Alumni events, go to the Alumni website.

Students & Alumni on LinkedIn
Alumni Relations on Facebook

Student Activities Banquet Honors Campus Luminaries

Front row (from left): Lauren J. Crouse, Student Leader of the Year; Elizabeth L. Landis, of Columbia, an emergency management technology major who accepted the award for Community Betterment Program; Morgan N. Keyser, of Cogan Station, a graphic design student who accepted the award for Outstanding Community Service Program; Hanna J. Williams, New Student Leader of the Year; and Hannah G. Maize, Riverside, a plastics and polymer engineering technology major who accepted the Outstanding Student Organization award on behalf of the Society of Plastics Engineers. Second row (from left): Bryonna A. Aldubayan, Student Leader Committed to Social Justice and Diversity; SGA President Caleb E. Cartmell, an automotive management technology student from Honesdale; Jeffrey R. Hasiak, Greek New Member; and Austin D. Adams, Center Valley, information technology: network specialist concentration, and Ryan W. Conklin, Beech Creek, information technology sciences-gaming and simulation, representing the Association of Professional Programmers, chosen as the Most Improved Student Organization. Back row (from left): Everett B. Appleby, SGA Senator of the Year and Student Leader Legacy Scholarship recipient; Josiah D. Stoltzfus, a construction management major from Morgantown, honored for Yell(ow) It Out, Outstanding Program; Jon R. Hallinstad Jr., a residential construction technology and management student from Germansville, who accepted awards including Greek Academic Achievement Award on behalf of the Omega Delta Sigma veterans fraternity; Greek honoree Paul M. Lasell, also one of the year's Student Leader Legacy Scholarship recipients; and Gregory C. Hidlay, of Catawissa, enrolled in information technology: network specialist concentration and a member of Phi Mu Delta fraternity chapter, celebrated for Outstanding Philanthropy and for its new Jump for St. Jude event.

An impressive roster of students and campus organizations recently stepped into the much-deserved spotlight of Penn’s Inn, receiving accolades for their contributions to Penn College and the broader community during the 2016-17 academic year.

Read more

Alumni-Led Industry Tours Reinforce Laboratory Learning

Penn College grad Paul R. South (in red hard hat) leads students on a tour of Danzer Veneers log yard.

Students in the Forest Products (FOR 210) class took field trips Tuesday to Wheeland Lumber Co. Inc. in Liberty and to Danzer Veneer Americas in Williamsport. At Wheeland Lumber, the students toured a high-production sawmill, log yard and millwork facility with Penn College alumni Damen R. (’00, forest technology, and ’03, technology management) and Derek E. (’03, business administration: banking and finance concentration) Wheeland. At Danzer Veneer, students visited the log yard and production facility with Paul R. South, a 2016 graduate in forest technology. “Both tours were educational for the students,” said Erich R. Doebler, laboratory assistant for forest technology, who accompanied the group and provided the photo. “It allows them to see in person and experience the manufacturing environment that is discussed in class.”

WTI Reunion Takes Grads on Round Trip Through History

Enjoying the Aviation Center surroundings are John Hertel, (left) ’48, agricultural equipment and repair, and ‘49, electric and acetylene welding, and Ralph Mills, ’58, plumbing.

The Lumley Aviation Center proved to be a popular venue for Friday’s 17th annual reunion for graduates of Williamsport Technical Institute, a Penn College predecessor from 1941-65. Alumni and their guests, totaling about 75 attendees, enjoyed swapping stories, savoring lunch and listening to remarks by President Davie Jane Gilmour. Presentations on forestry, industrial design, athletics and veterans affairs were also on the agenda. Forest technology students Nicholas J. Fedele and Nancy M. Summers shared their passions for the major, as did Erich R. Doebler, laboratory assistant for forest technology. Discussing exciting activities in industrial design were students Dwight D. Alexander, Sean P. Christy and Brett F. Warkoski, and their professor, Thomas E. Ask. Offering insights into the college’s evolving athletics efforts were John D. Vandevere, director of athletics; Lauren S. Herr, a women’s soccer student-athlete enrolled in construction management; and Chris H. Howard, head baseball coach. Chet Beaver, financial aid specialist for veterans services, detailed progress of the Penn College Patriot Scholarship and introduced student veterans on hand to assist with luncheon logistics. Following lunch, Walter V. Gower, assistant dean for transportation and natural resources technologies, took participants on a tour of the hangar, where many reveled in viewing aviation equipment and chatting with students performing various tasks on the tarmac.

Read more

Last updated April 25, 2017 | Posted in Alumni, Aviation, Construction & Design Technologies, Construction Management, Forestry, Industrial Design, Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, Sports, Students, Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies | This gallery contains 1 photo. | Tagged as | Leave a comment

Still-Employed Octogenarian Proves ‘the Sky’s the Limit’

The visitor stops by the sheet-metal shop with faculty member Thomas D. Inman.

The alumnus invented, manufactured and marketed slide-in adapters to retrofit new radios in older aircraft, a cost-saving innovation that he demonstrated for students.

Haubert alights a twin-engine Dassault Falcon 20 business jet donated to Penn College during the Spring 2015 semester. Impressed by the college's fleet of instructional aircraft, including a Boeing 727 parked outside the aviation campus at the Williamsport Regional Airport, he marveled that "We worked on T-33s!" (A reference to a postwar trainer jet manufactured by Lockheed.)

Proudly pointing out a slideshow version of his younger self, kneeling at the airport

Haubert swaps stories with interested students and faculty.

Paul W. Haubert, a 1960 graduate of Penn College forerunner Williamsport Technical Institute, regaled a classroom audience with tales from his storied (and ongoing) career during a recent visit to the Lumley Aviation Center. The 83-year-old alumnus – who operates an avionics repair shop at New Cumberland’s Capital City Airport with his son Wayne – took students and faculty on a top-flight reminiscence of his life in aircraft maintenance. And what a life it’s been! He received his certificate at WTI after an honorable discharge from the Air Force and went on to a series of aviation-related adventures starting with American Airlines at New York’s Idlewild Airport and winding through a number of mechanical, manufacturing and management positions that continue to this day. Haubert was treated to a tour of the Montoursville facility with Thomas D. Inman, associate professor of aviation, and enjoyed lunch at the college’s Le Jeune Chef Restaurant with Kimberly R. Cassel, director of alumni relations, and Rhonda S. Walker, alumni relations specialist.

HVAC Graduate Enjoys ‘Cool’ Career with Trane

Eric P. Schmidt was amazed at the possibilities the first time he saw Penn College. “Being in high school, I remember it was pretty amazing because it’s a beautiful campus,” Schmidt recalls in a new video on the college’s YouTube channel. “I remember when I came for freshman orientation, going through the labs and seeing all the stuff – and seeing what we were actually going to get to do hands-on once I got far enough in the program – and it was pretty amazing.” The 2008 HVAC technology graduate has realized many of his personal goals, thanks to his education and successful career with Trane Commercial Systems in Jacksonville, Florida. Schmidt, who works in existing building solutions sales, helps building owners make their HVAC systems more energy-efficient and reduce their carbon footprint.

Networking, Professional Development Merge at ‘ShmooCon’

Some of the Penn College participants in ShmooCon 2017 fit a group photo into their busy three days.

More than 40 Penn College students and alumni attended this year’s “ShmooCon” national conference in Washington, D.C.: three days of cybersecurity keynoters, as well as discussions of relevant and innovative topics with professionals and students from across the country. The campus contingent – largely representing the Information Security Association student organization – was accompanied by faculty members Jacob R. Miller and Sandra Gorka, associate professors of computer science, and Daniel W. Yoas, associate professor of computer information technology.

Read more

A Job to Do: WWII Vet’s Bond Remains Strong With Fellow Airmen

Raymond Eck, '41, lays a wreath at Madingley American Cemetery in England.

From the Spring 2017 Penn College Magazine: Being in a war is like hell on earth, says World War II airman Raymond Eck, ’41, but he had a job to do and crewmates who depended on him. At 93, his bond with fellow airmen remains strong. Read “A Job to Do.”

Nursing Students Visited by Versatile Health Sciences Grad

Alumna Trena Dale returns to Penn College.

With help from the Alumni Relations Office, the Penn College Student Nurses’ Association recently hosted alumna Trena Dale. Dale has received two associate degrees from Penn College: a dental hygiene degree in 2001 and a nursing degree in 2011. Dale, now an emergency room nurse at Evangelical Community Hospital, a part-time RN in Geisinger’s Special Care Unit 5 and, occasionally, a substitute dental hygienist, spoke to nursing students about her experiences as a Penn College student, as a new graduate seeking employment, and about her career in dental hygiene and nursing. She shared stories related to her professional role that highlighted the importance of developing relationships with patients, engaging in teamwork, and paying attention to details when communicating in health care environments. “Of course, Trena also took time to share information about the importance of mouth care for patients in the hospital,” said Tushanna M. Habalar, instructor of nursing and SNA adviser. “Trena’s positive demeanor, real-life stories and energy were appreciated by the students and faculty who attended.”

Employer to Meet With Students, Alumni

PSA AirlinesIn search of students and alumni from Penn College’s aviation-related majors, PSA Airlines will conduct information sessions and follow-up interviews at the Lumley Aviation Center on Wednesday. A list of times and locations follows: PSA Airlines

Student Among Helicopter Association’s Scholarship Recipients

Zachary D. Reese, an aviation maintenance technology major from Littlestown, will attend a factory training school with his Helicopter Association International scholarship.

A Pennsylvania College of Technology student was among only eight in the world to receive a Bill Sanderson Aviation Maintenance Technology Scholarship from Helicopter Association International’s Technical Committee.

Zachary D. Reese, of Littlestown, a junior in the college’s four-year aviation maintenance technology major, was recently awarded a scholarship that provides a tuition waiver for a helicopter manufacturer training school and a stipend to offset expenses. Reese will attend the Airbus EC-145 helicopter factory school.

Read more

Graphic Design Alumni Advise Students on World of Work

Alumni returning to their graphic design roots are (from left): Bigger, Cosgrove, Januchowski, Hoover, Gray and Chandler.

Stephenson (right) chats up his former students prior to their panel discussion in the Bush Campus Center.

Chandler shares insight into her real-world design experience.

A roomful of future graphic designers listens to Januchowski’s sage advice.

Six recent graduates of Penn College’s graphic design major returned this past weekend to share their wisdom with current students. The alumni are Emily C. Bigger, ’14; Breanne M. Chandler, ’16; Christopher J. Cosgrove, ’13; Brody W. Gray, ’15; Erica M. Hoover, ’15, and Alexa A. Januchowski, ’16. They shared their experiences in the field and job-searching tips. Bigger is a graphic designer at the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Harrisburg; Chandler works as a graphic designer at Avesis Inc., Owings Mills, Maryland; Cosgrove is a web designer with Otreva, Scranton; Gray is senior graphic designer at Sire Advertising Inc., Selinsgrove; Hoover is employed as a graphic designer at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove; and Januchowski is a graphic designer at Design 446, Manasquan, New Jersey. “You won’t appreciate the education you’re getting until you’re out there in the field,” Januchowski said. “At the job interviews I had, they were extremely impressed with the design work that’s being done here and how prepared the graduates are.” In addition to encouraging students to “be aggressive when applying for jobs,” Cosgrove advised, “Always keep learning – design changes rapidly. And stay inspired!” This is the second year for the event, organized by the college’s student chapter of AIGA, a professional association for design, and Nicholas L. Stephenson, instructor of graphic design and adviser to the student AIGA chapter.

Alumnus Delivers Airbus Donation to Penn College Alma Mater

Students look over part of the Airbus donation in the Aviation Center hangar.

A generous donation of $275,000 worth of airplane parts will enhance the real-world instructional environment for aviation students at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

David J. Barr, a quality management inspector with Airbus who graduated from Penn College with an aviation technology degree in 1997, brought the equipment to the Lumley Aviation Center hangar during the fall semester.

Read more

Read the Spring 2017 Penn College Magazine

Spring 2017 Penn College Magazine cover

The Spring 2017 edition of Penn College Magazine features stories of service from Ecuador, where a 2009 grad is helping coastal communities to recover from a massive earthquake; Guatemala, where nursing students learned and worked in a medical clinic; Florida, where an exercise science alumna is helping clients find health; Europe, where a 1941 drafting graduate served his country and his crewmates; and our own campus, where students and employees work to support Dining Services’ free food pantry and a variety of other community needs. Look for the magazine in building lobbies, or read and share these stories now at magazine.pct.edu.

Architectural Alums Show Students the World That Awaits

Penn College prepared Balzer for a wide range of opportunities, including design of Tech-Zone's flagship store in Charlotte, N.C.

A morning panel offers pointers on such student issues as gaining trust from a first employer and architects' "pet peeves" about working with general contractors. From left are Shimmel, Visco (who was succeeded by Bird for the afternoon session), Mowrey, Engel, Balzer, Lutz, Murr and Tabolinsky.

Nine graduates of architectural technology and/or building science and sustainable design returned to campus Monday to inspire students by sharing their respective pathways from college to career. The full-day program in Penn’s Inn, arranged by the academic department and the Alumni Relations Office as the first in a hoped-for series of such events, provided students in the School of Construction & Design Technologies with an inspiring glimpse at the successful projects and practices of those who once wore their shoes. On the agenda were individual presentations, panel discussions and a networking lunch. Sharing their expertise and experiences were David I. Balzer, ’01, a project manager and recently licensed architect with the Williamsport-based Larson Design Group; Richard W. Bird II, ’90, corporate director of engineering, Muncy Homes, Muncy; Zachary K. Engle, ’11 project designer/Building Information Modeling manager, CORE Design Group, Hanover and York; Peter J. Lutz, ’75, architect/president/founder, CORE Design Group; Earl L. Mowrey, ’73, owner/designer/builder, Mowrey Contractor, Montoursville; Andrei K. Murr, ’14, LEED Green Associate/estimator, Construction Specialties Inc., Muncy; Allan R. Shimmel, ’12, LEED GA/senior computer-aided design technician/project manager, Fernsler Hutchinson Architecture, State College; Danielle F. Tabolinsky, ’14 LEED GA/project estimator, Koroseal Interior Products, Montoursville; and Anthony H. Visco Jr., ’67 architect, Anthony H. Visco Jr. Architects, Williamsport. “This school gave me the head start, the ability to do anything,” Balzer said, name-checking the former and current faculty who exposed him to CAD, construction knowledge, ethics and model-building, among other skills. “I hire mostly Penn College graduates,” he added. “I prefer them because I know what they can do.”

No Foolin’: Open House Showcases Rewarding Careers-in-the-Making

With a warm smile, colorful T-shirt and blooms on hand, Aaron A. Sledge Jr., a freshman in landscape/horticulture technology: plant production emphasis from Pittsburgh, is ready to share his love of plants with visitors.

Friday’s near-April showers caused Saturday’s Open House crowds to bloom, bringing hundreds upon hundreds of prospective students and their families to Penn College for an inside look at a national leader in applied technology education. On a day generally associated with pranks and practical jokes, visitors were instead treated by a knowledgeable and helpful campus community to the seriously life-altering potential of “degrees that work.”

Read more