Alumni

Alumni Events

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

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Alumni Faculty & Staff Landscape/Horticulture Students Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies

A grateful college brings May flowers

Special delivery, in care of committed caregivers

Plants nurtured throughout the pandemic by the horticultural hands at Penn College’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center brought a burst of National Nurses Week sunshine to UPMC Susquehanna campuses Thursday. About 850 potted flowers and hanging baskets, originally cultivated for a plant sale, were delivered to Williamsport, Divine Providence, Muncy, Lock Haven, Cole (Coudersport) and Wellsboro hospitals for distribution to nurses – among the tireless health care workers on the front line of a global health crisis. A troupe of ESC faculty and staff, General Services employees and a college alumnus/retiree loaded and unloaded the colorful cargo at hospital campuses in Lycoming and Clinton counties; UPMC handled transport to the Northern Tier locations. Helping to keep the greenhouse stock thriving in students’ absence were horticulture faculty; Wyatt C. Forest, laboratory assistant for horticulture; and Sean C. Golden, a landscape/horticulture technology: plant production emphasis student and work study employee.

Alumni Faculty & Staff Students

Student Development Assistants team up with alumni to honor faculty

Recognizing the impact that faculty have had on their Pennsylvania College of Technology experience and that of their peers, Student Development Assistants expressed their gratitude during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8).

Handwritten notecards, emails, social media posts, videos and a blog were shared while Penn College students were completing coursework remotely.

Alumni Art & Graphic Design Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications

Design grad’s playful work diverts minds full of worry

Take a break from binge-watching to find the TV remote in the sofa.

Pennsylvania College of Technology alumni are using their skills in a variety of ways to help others during the global pandemic, including a graphic design alumna living and working in England.

Eliza R. Whyman, ’17, a designer at MediaCom in Manchester, designed and illustrated six visually appealing and puzzling brain teasers for Brits to enjoy during shelter-in-place orders.

Alumni Art & Graphic Design Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications Students

Online tutorials, alumni interaction engage students

Graphic design junior Ashley Tate, of Lewisburg, offers advice on nondestructive burning and dodging in Photoshop (featuring an image of Alexandra "Ali" D. Petrizzi, a senior in the major).

Creatively adapting to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pennsylvania College of Technology graphic design student chapter of AIGA has launched tutorials on YouTube and are hosting graphic design alumni Zoom talks.

Although initially intended as student-to-student sharing of various design tips and tricks, the short tutorials are also available for public viewing on the AIGA Penn College YouTube channel.

Alumni Construction & Design Technologies Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning

HVAC with alumnus Jeff Comitz

Meet Jeffrey C. Comitz, an applications engineering manager for Thermal Product Solutions in New Columbia (and a 2016 graduate in heating, ventilation and air conditioning design technology). After earning his bachelor’s degree from Penn College, Comitz accepted an offer at TPS’ Tenney Environmental, where he partners with global organizations to develop industrial ovens and furnaces for testing and manufacturing processes. Take a look inside his career, see how he applies his education every day and imagine yourself pursuing a future made by hand. And when finished, check out other recent YouTube videos that showcase academic opportunities for tomorrow makers: concrete science, collision repair, construction management, plastics and graphic design.

Alumni Baking, Pastry & Culinary Arts Business & Hospitality Faculty & Staff

Faculty member shares foresight with Bake magazine

Chef Charles R. Niedermyer II, instructor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts, was interviewed for the cover story in the March/April issue of Bake magazine. A two-time Penn College alumnus and a faculty member since 2005, Niedermyer was among the professionals assessing what the future holds for desserts and pastries. As patrons become increasingly discerning, he said in “Flavor Inspirations,” retail bakers need to adjust. “The key is knowing your customers, the products and services that are most important to them, and staying true to your niche,” said Niedermyer, recognized by the publication in November 2018 as one of the nation’s top 25 industry leaders. “We can’t be all things, to all customers, that walk in our doors.” The article is provided here: Bake magazine

Alumni Corporate Relations Faculty & Staff General Information Students

Penn College gives thanks

The future of Pennsylvania College of Technology students is made by hand and by the support of many. The generosity of loyal employees, alumni, corporate partners, retirees and other friends benefits students in numerous ways. From scholarships to global experiences to intercollegiate athletics, such assistance makes life-changing opportunities possible for the college’s “tomorrow makers.” Join narrator Zachary J. Kravitz, a construction management major; nursing students Jillian C. Hiestand and Harlee G. Brooks; Tiffany Brown, enrolled in applied health studies: occupational therapy assistant concentration; welding and fabrication engineering technology major Nathaniel H. Lyon; and Stevie A. Petrison, a 2019 graduate in business administration: sport and event management concentration, as they say, “Thanks!”

Alumni Business & Hospitality Digital Media & Marketing Faculty & Staff Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies Information Technology Students

Newswatch 16 spreads word of web-design class project

WNEP’s Chris Keating spoke remotely Tuesday with Spyke M. Krepshaw, assistant professor of web and interactive media, about the faculty member’s recent offer of website assistance to businesses engaged in e-commerce during the coronavirus crisis.

Alumni Aviation Students Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies

Aviation grad featured in national magazine

Levi Schappel, who holds two degrees from Penn College – aviation technology (2012) and aviation maintenance technology (2014) – is among the Lycoming Engines employees interviewed for an eight-page article in the April edition of AOPA Pilot. Schappel supervises production of the high-performance Thunderbolt aircraft engine at Lycoming’s Williamsport plant, a custom manufacturing job that puts into daily practice his hands-on education at the college’s Lumley Aviation Center. “When you go to a race or an airshow and you see how much is demanded of these engines, it’s humbling,” Schappell said. “It makes you focus on doing everything you can to make sure they’re as good as they can possibly be.” The article, shared with permission of the publisher, is provided here: “Made to Order”

Alumni Engineering Design Technology Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies

Design/drafting manager traces path from grad to CAD

The computer aided drafting manager for First Quality Products Inc., a 1990 Penn College alumnus employed at the company’s McElhattan manufacturing facility, recently returned to campus to share his professional experience. William J. Henry, who holds an associate degree in engineering drafting technology, spoke to students in CAD Management and Customization courses taught by Katherine A. Walker, assistant professor, and instructor Craig A. Miller. During a near-hourlong presentation in the Thompson Professional Development Center, Henry covered a range of relevant topics: software and hardware acquisition and upgrade, database management, team-building, IT security, people skills, and advocating for the profession. “One of the reasons I wanted to come here today to talk to you is because I am passionate about what we do,” Henry said. “You’re gonna replace me someday and I want you to be standing up here giving this talk to that next generation. So find the passion in what you do and promote that.” Henry maintains an active connection to his alma mater, serving on its Engineering Design Technology Advisory Committee. His wife, Serena Pfaff-Henry, is a 1990 accounting graduate, and his son, Quinn T., is enrolled in information technology: network specialist concentration.
Photo provided

Alumni Aviation Faculty & Staff Students Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies

College spotlights aviation alumnus at Chamber event

Presenter and honoree reconnect after the ceremony for a celebratory photo.

Christopher M. Gayman, a graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology and OEM sales manager for Lycoming Engines, received an Alumni of the Year Award at Thursday’s 19th annual Education Celebration hosted by the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

The award – part of an event that recognizes the essential collaboration among school districts, colleges, and business and industry – is given to a graduate who has made a significant contribution to the quality of life in Lycoming County, has excelled in his or her own profession, and is active in the community.

Alumni Construction & Design Technologies Construction Management Faculty & Staff Students

Construction management at Penn College

From the boardroom to the job site, construction managers call the shots. They take the lead to ensure building projects are completed on time and within budget. Take a look at Penn College’s bachelor of science degree in construction management, meet a few soon-to-be construction managers and see how they’re preparing to rise to the top of this dynamic and exciting career field. “Ultimately, what I would love to do is just to go back to the community I’m from with the education I’ve gotten here,” says Zachary N. Wilkinson, of North Wales, one of the students included in a college YouTube video. “And then, maybe, change the skyline of Philadelphia.”

Alumni Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies Information Technology

Penn College alumna uses gaming for goodwill

Pennsylvania College of Technology graduate Anna-Maree Manciet, a tireless fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, is joined by friends Miguel Betances (left) and Zachary Whitten. Betances is a former St. Jude patient, who served as Manciet’s co-host for a recent livestreaming fundraising event; Whitten created St. Jude PLAY LIVE.

Whether accessed on a smartphone, a personal computer or an elaborate home system, video games are the nation’s leading source of entertainment. According to the Entertainment Software Association, about 65% of American adults play video games.

Anna-Maree Manciet is one of the estimated 164 million adult gamers. But for the Pennsylvania College of Technology alum, gaming is much more than entertainment. It’s a source of goodwill, both for herself and countless others.

Since graduating from Penn College in 2013, Manciet’s video game prowess has led to personal healing, a thriving career and nearly $88,000 raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Alumni Art & Graphic Design Faculty & Staff Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications Students

Graphic design at Penn College

Get an insider’s look at Penn College’s graphic design program through an engaging video created and edited by Luke A. Bierly, a 2019 alumnus of the major.

“A graphic designer isn’t just somebody who’s solid in art, or can draw, or can build websites,” instructor Nicholas L. Stephenson says in the three-minute piece, which has been added to the college YouTube channel. “A graphic designer has to be somebody who understands solving problems and about coming up with ideas.

“I’m enormously proud of what the students have done here,” the faculty member adds. “I’m constantly humbled by the incredible work and the incredible understanding of design, and ability to produce really good graphic design.”

Alumni Corporate Relations Faculty & Staff Forestry Landscape/Horticulture Students Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies

Forestry grad facilitates equipment donation to alma mater

Shreiner, employed at his family's tree care business outside Philadelphia, demonstrates the Bandit chipper at the Earth Science Center campus.

A December graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology, whose family’s tree care business in suburban Philadelphia fueled his choice of both college and career, recently arranged for the donation of a newly reconditioned chipper to his alma mater’s forestry program.

Thanks to the resourcefulness of Michael S. Shreiner, now employed full time at Shreiner Tree Care in southeastern Pennsylvania, forest technology students at Penn College’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center will have access to a 150XP Bandit Tree Chipper that the 2019 alumnus solicited from the manufacturer.

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