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Penn College bestows Distinguished Teaching Awards

Three Pennsylvania College of Technology faculty members were honored at Spring 2019 Commencement ceremonies for their prowess as teachers.

Ryan P. Good, assistant professor of welding, was presented with the highest honor accorded to Penn College faculty: the Veronica M. Muzic Master Teacher Award.

Two faculty members received recognition for their outstanding teaching skills by earning Excellence in Teaching Awards: Drew R. Potts, assistant professor and department head of civil engineering technology, and David S. Richards, professor of physics.

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Helping & Healing: People skills make an impact

Nursing instructor Tushanna M. Habalar (in white), leads students in inserting an IV into “SimMan,” an electronically controlled patient simulator.

During a flu shot clinic on campus, physician assistant student Savanna R. Stauffer, '17, draws a dose of the vaccine into a syringe. — During a flu shot clinic on campus, physician assistant student Savanna R. Stauffer, ’17, draws a dose of the vaccine into a syringe.

From the Spring 2019 Penn College Magazine: Personal health, passion and empathy are key for employees in health and human services professions to effectively care for others. Read Helping and Healing.

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‘Working Class: Helping & Healing’ premieres March 21

The latest episode of a locally produced, award-winning public television series emphasizes the importance of caring individuals who provide for the health and well-being of the community.

“Working Class: Helping & Healing,” produced by Pennsylvania College of Technology and WVIA Public Media, premieres on WVIA-TV at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 21 (with rebroadcasts at 1 p.m. Friday, March 22, and 11 a.m. Sunday, March 24). It highlights the importance of science, math, communication and hands-on experience in preparing students for success in health and human service careers.

The film features Penn College faculty, administrators and students who serve the community in helping and healing roles. Among them is Thomas A. Zimmerman, associate professor of psychology, who counseled area residents after the TWA Flight 800 crash in July 1996. He discusses the importance of people coming together to help one another and to heal in the wake of tragedy.

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Be Smart, Rule the World

A group from New Covenant Academy in Mansfield makes final adjustments to its wearable back massager during a STEM Design Challenge hosted by BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 in the college’s Field House.

From the Fall 2018 Penn College Magazine: To prepare the next generation for the jobs of the future, make them curious about how things work, faculty experts say. Read “Be Smart, Rule the World.”

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‘Why Science Matters’ Documentary Premieres July 12 on WVIA-TV

David S. Richards, professor of physics, is one of the faculty members featured in “Working Class: Competition Drives Innovation! Why Science Matters,” a documentary produced by Penn College and WVIA Public Media that premieres on WVIA-TV on July 12.

Nerds rule! Science, experimentation and competition come together to help students develop the problem-solving skills needed for high-demand, high-tech careers in “Working Class: Competition Drives Innovation! Why Science Matters.”

Produced by Pennsylvania College of Technology and WVIA Public Media, the documentary, which premieres on WVIA-TV Thursday, July 12, at 8 p.m., highlights hands-on activities that connect students with science and other academic subjects that can prepare them for success in modern manufacturing careers.

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Faculty Pitch Health Careers at Regional ‘Awareness Day’

Wellsboro students learn about dental hygiene careers, straight from the mannequin's mouth. — Wellsboro students learn about dental hygiene careers, straight from the mannequin’s mouth.

Justin M. Ingram uses brains to make students mindful of their vocational options.

Shawn A. Kiser, Penn College’s director of dental hygiene, and Justin M. Ingram, assistant professor of biology, collaborated to provide hands-on recruitment at the 2017 Tioga County Health Career Awareness Day. The event was held Nov. 8 at Wellsboro Area High School. Ingram provided an overview on the human brain; Kiser provided the opportunity for students to “clean” a mannequin’s teeth and place dental sealants. The event attracted about 150 area high school students.
Photos provided

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Professor’s Physics Manual Brings Real-World Understanding to Subject

During a 2004 study abroad trip, LeBlanc (in white shirt) joins students at a cultural site in Japan. LeBlanc led six Penn College study abroad courses in Japan, where students visited Tsuyama National College of Technology. Photo courtesy of LeBlanc

From the Fall 2017 Penn College Magazine: Physics faculty member Joseph E. LeBlanc lived in three other nations before making his home at Penn College, where he finds creative ways to make physics meaningful to students. Read “Life’s Work.”

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Students Follow Nature’s Way to Trust, Triumph

Pairs of students climb pole ladders with a goal of walking across the log at the top (and crossing each other “mid-span”). Students on the ground control the belay (safety) ropes for the climbers.

Also at CLIMBucknell, students use aluminum beams and tree stumps to cross an imaginary “lava field” without leaving a team member behind or falling into “the lava” …

... and transcend a more “vertical” challenge: a multi-story high-climbing tower. — … and transcend a more “vertical” challenge: a multi-story high-climbing tower.

The therapeutic value of quiet, mindfulness, meditation and focus are found on a hike at Rider Park.

On the Penn College campus, HSR330 students learn to trust and communicate through alternate means as they work in pairs, wordlessly guiding a blindfolded partner through a course covering different obstacles.

Nature as therapy was the lesson learned recently by students enrolled in Outdoor Recreation as a Therapeutic Tool (HSR 330). The students also learned firsthand how to facilitate individual and team-based outdoor activities. One day, the group visited Bucknell University’s CLIMBucknell Challenge Course, an outdoor educational facility in Cowan. “Under the guidance of the Bucknell facilitators, the Penn College students learned how to solve mental and physical challenges as a team,” said D. Robert Cooley, associate professor of anthropology/environmental science (who also provided the photos). “After the problem-solving games concluded, we moved to the ropes course where we all were able to push past our individual comfort zones on some breathtakingly high ropes elements, an enormous climbing wall, and finally, an impossibly long zip line. A great day was had by all!” Other outdoor educational venues folded into the students’ coursework during the summer “minimester” included Rider Park north of Williamsport and a beautiful location a little closer to “home” – the Penn College campus.

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Faculty Member to Exhibit Chain-Mail Jewelry at June’s ‘First Friday’

Faculty member among First Friday artists

Joseph E. LeBlanc, an assistant professor of physics at Penn College, will be among the local artisans displaying their craft during First Friday (June 2) in downtown Williamsport. LeBlanc, who uses classic weave patterns in his creations, has been making chain mail since 2013. His work can be seen at Gustonian Gifts, 357 Pine St.

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Penn College’s ‘Working Class’ TV Series Earns Second Telly Award

“Working Class: Build & Grow Green,” produced by Pennsylvania College of Technology and WVIA Public Media, has earned a 2017 Bronze Telly Award.

It is the second episode produced for the “Working Class” public television series and the second to win a Bronze Telly. “Working Class: Dream & Do” earned the award in 2016.

Acknowledged as a premier award for film and video productions, the Telly Award honors outstanding local, regional and cable programming. The 37^th annual competition in 2017 considered more than 12,000 entries from all 50 states and five continents.

“As a national leader in applied technology education, Penn College has earned a reputation for combining academics with practical, hands-on education that prepares students to enter and advance in the world of work,” said Davie Jane Gilmour, president of the college. “The award-winning ‘Working Class’ series allows us to share our mission and passion for inspired learning with a public television audience.”

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Penn College Physics Professor Writes Laboratory Manual

A physics professor’s quest to create inspiring and practical lab exercises for his students has resulted in the publication of a physics laboratory manual published by Kendall Hunt Publishing Co.

“Physics Laboratory Manual: Physics with Technological Applications” is written by Joseph E. LeBlanc, professor of physics at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

The manual is the result of more than 10 years of work for LeBlanc, who began compiling his own physics lab exercises out of a desire to create stronger relevance for his students in applied technology majors.

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Moral Code: Give Back to What You Love

Author and Penn College colloquium speaker Rick Bass. Photo courtesy of Lowry Bass

From the Spring 2017 Penn College Magazine: Author Rick Bass, an activist who spoke during the college’s Technology & Society Colloquia Series, encourages young people to stand up for the environment and communities they cherish. Read “Moral Code.”

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Faculty Member to Show Artistic Side at November’s ‘First Friday’

Faculty member's chain mail to be displayed during Williamsport's First Friday — Faculty member’s chain mail to be displayed during Williamsport’s First Friday

Joseph E. LeBlanc, an assistant professor of physics at Penn College, will be among those displaying their creative handiwork during First Friday (Nov. 4) in downtown Williamsport. The faculty member – also billed as “woodworker, musician, artist and aerospace engineer” – has been making chain mail for four years. His work in a variety of metals can be seen at Gustonian Gifts, 357 Pine St.

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It’s Only a Matter of Time

Like a magician, Richards explains the concept of time dilation with the assistance of Rylee A. Butler, an engineering design technology student from Bellefonte.

The first floor of the Klump Academic Center Auditorium fills with "time travelers" from campus and the surrounding community. — The first floor of the Klump Academic Center Auditorium fills with “time travelers” from campus and the surrounding community.

Nicholas C. Moore, center, a plastics and polymer engineering technology student from Lock Haven, joins Richards and Butler on stage to demonstrate the use of a “time stick” …

… as audience members also join in the fun experiment measuring reaction time.

Through a pendulum, one of his stage props, Richards can be seen during the closing question-and-answer session moderated by Michael J. Reed (at podium), dean of sciences, humanities and visual communications.

A large crowd of “time travelers” enjoyed a journey through the realities and fantasies of time during “Manipulating Time Using Science, Technology and Literature,” presented Tuesday evening in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium by David S. Richards, professor of physics. The second talk in the 2016-17 Technology & Society Colloquia Series, the discussion ranged from scientific principles to personal perceptions of time. The audience was encouraged to participate in a demonstration measuring reaction time utilizing “time sticks” and by submitting their definitions of time that were transcribed and shown on the large screen. A question-and-answer session and a post-talk reception in Wrapture concluded the evening. The next colloquium is scheduled for Feb. 7: “A General Assertion is Worth Innumerable Pictures,” by Robert N. McCauley, a professor and founding director of the Center for Mind, Brain and Culture at Emory University. Richards’ presentation has been added to the Penn College YouTube channel.

Faculty & Staff Natural Science Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications

Chemistry Professor Invited to Join Penn State Innovation Team

Kelly B. Butzler, associate professor of chemistry at Pennsylvania College of Technology, has been invited to be a member of Penn State’s Learning Innovation Forum Team, a cross-university brain trust working to advance learning and education through collaboration.

LIFT aims to contribute to the progress of Penn State as a leader in the transformation of education for the betterment of its students and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Insight provided by the team will complement advancements in various educational areas including curricula, instruction, operations efficiencies, recruitment, retention and student success, and facilitate innovation across the university.

Butzler was selected as a Penn College representative to the team based on her creative approaches and passionate desire to transform education.

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