News about College Store

‘Grad Finale’ Heralds Mid-May Celebration

Soon-to-be-grads pass by the regalia they'll be sporting in little more than a month.

The Bush Campus Center was a marketplace of merriment during Tuesday’s Grad Finale for students who will process with their classmates in three commencement ceremonies on May 11-12. Thanks to the five-hour Penn’s Inn event facilitated by The College Store, the near-alumni could conveniently tend to all manner of graduation-related errands.

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Inaugural Scholarship Luncheon Celebrates Generosity

Cameron T. Powers, recipient of the Robert and Patricia Shoff Rambo Scholarship, enjoys a moment with her donor, Patricia Rambo, a retired professor and 1994 Master Teacher honoree.

A celebration of generosity unfolded Sunday afternoon at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s inaugural Scholarship Luncheon. Held in the Field House, the event hosted scholarship donors, student recipients and their families.

Offering a welcome to the guests, Kyle A. Smith, executive director of the Penn College Foundation, thanked donors for their belief and commitment to Penn College’s mission of serving students. In her opening remarks, President Davie Jane Gilmour said, “Your philanthropic commitment provides motivation needed for students to remain focused on their coursework, complete their educational journey and begin a new journey as tomorrow makers in their communities and chosen fields.”

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Grads-to-Be Keep Calm, Take Care of Business

Ready to put their nursing degrees to work are (from left) Alayna R. Bertothy, of Philipsburg; Danielle N. Dent, of Bloomsburg; Francesca B. Monse, of Selinsgrove; and Luke M. Spang, of Palmyra.

One month from their procession from students to alumni, December's commencement candidates line up in The College Store.

Wildcat outfielder Dylan M. Scaringi (left), of Coatesville, and teammate Evan A Vigna, a first baseman from McAdoo, get a pre-commencement boost from a familiar friend.

Tassels – with no hassles! – await soon-to-be-grads.

Nicholas Brock Santalucia, a health information management major from Williamsport, picks up his academic regalia – and earns an endorsement from the college mascot.

The College Store was filled with imminent alumni on Tuesday afternoon as it hosted a Grad Finale for students who have petitioned to walk across the Community Arts Center stage on Dec. 16. Commencement tickets, caps and gowns, and “all the information you need to enter the world after graduation” were conveniently available under one roof.
– Photos by Rachel A. Eirmann, student photographer

A Sun-day in Name Only … but, Oh, What a Day!

Pottstown residents Tom, Kim and Jason Francis pause during their soggy stroll for a portrait in campus exploration.

Umbrellas were the most coveted accessory, but nowhere near as essential as the information that visitors to Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Fall Open House carried home. Held across the institution’s awe-inspiring campuses, the autumn tradition delivered tours, priceless exchanges with helpful members of the campus community, valuable exposure to student life with those who live it and close-up views of the newest majors at a 103-year-old institution that never shows its age.

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Last updated October 29, 2017 | Posted in Admissions, Alumni, Business & Hospitality, College Store, Construction & Design Technologies, Events, Faculty & Staff, General Information, Health Sciences, Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications, Sports, Students, Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies | This gallery contains 51 photos. | Tagged as | Leave a comment

Closing Out a Classic With Some of Our Own

Cromley, Moroff enjoy a LLWS reunion.

Emergency medical personnel, reporting for duty at Howard J. Lamade Stadium

Before we shelve the PCToday scrapbook from this year’s Little League Baseball World Series, let’s thumb through a few more pages featuring members of the Penn College family. Among the ex-Little Leaguers on hand when the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals met at BB&T Ballpark on Aug. 20 was Bucs infielder Max Moroff. And among those happiest to see him was Marlin R. Cromley, a campus employee who was the team’s host when Moroff’s Maitland, Florida, team faced Newtown in the U.S. semifinal at the 2005 series. “Always a wonderful time to meet up with a former player,” said Cromley, a cashier/customer service associate in The College Store, who this year was “uncle” to the Asia-Pacific team representing Seoul, South Korea. “Not to mention meeting a former player that makes it to the majors!” Cromley is one of two team hosts who work at the college; Bruce A. Sechrist, a General Services horticulturist at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, this year was assigned to the Midwest team from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As noted earlier, the series’ health care team was at the ready for players and fans alike – including scores of students from Penn College’s School of Health Sciences. Representing the college on Sunday’s championship day are (from left) emergency medical services major Keith M. Ray, Montoursville; Bambi A. Hawkins, interim director of paramedic technology programs; and EMS students Michelle K. Waughen, Montgomery; James A. Babinetz, Doylestown; and Abdullah F. Qindil, Houston.
Photos provided

Before May’s Big Event, a ‘Finale’ to Pave the Way

With three Spring Commencement exercises just around the corner, the Bush Campus Center was the place to be.

Surrounded by diploma frames and other commemorative items, Jessica L. Laubach, textbook operations assistant, rings up another sale.

Soon-to-be-grads check out the selection of class rings.

Doing brisk business in caps and gowns is Lisa M. Dincher, the store's operations manager.

The College Store turned Penn’s Inn into a commencement-focused shopping mall on Tuesday afternoon, hosting a Grad Finale for students on the verge of May graduation. Prizes, food, caps and gowns, and tickets to the May 19-20 Community Arts Center ceremonies were among the attractions at the event, held from noon-4 p.m.
Photos by Tia G. La, student photographer

One-Stop ‘Finale’ Moves Tomorrow’s Grads One Step Closer

Becky J. Shaner, manager of student/alumni engagement and special events, captures a mascot moment for Lindsey Martin, advertising art.

A line of winter graduates snakes across the Penn’s Inn floor.

Sugary blue sprinkles put the "sweet" into near-grads' 'bittersweet" departure.

Jaclyn C. Gregg, culinary arts and systems, high-fives the congratulatory commencement 'cat.

Chesnya I. Cherelus, nursing, snaps a cell phone photo as she and soon-to-be graduates make their way into the Grad Finale venue.

A number of campus offices threw a party Tuesday for students on track to graduate next month, handily helping them check off their commencement to-do list. The early-afternoon Grad Finale (which featured accommodating staff from Alumni Relations, Career Services, Financial Aid, Registrar, The College Store and Workforce Development & Continuing Education) was held in the Bush Campus Center. From 12:30-2:30 p.m., petitioned students could pick up their commencement tickets, purchase caps and gowns, and learn more about their Alumni Association benefits – all in one handy location. Penn College’s winter ceremony is at 11 a.m. Dec. 17 in the Community Arts Center.

Donated Pink Gowns Help Focus Attention on Breast Cancer

Dental hygiene students, colorfully cloaked as special agents for awareness

Students completing rounds in the Dental Hygiene Clinic showed their support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month by donning pink gowns during the week of Oct. 10. The gowns were donated by Matt P. Branca, director of The College Store. Other Breast Cancer Awareness-related activities have included a bake sale hosted by College Health Services and Sigma Pi, informational tables in the Bush Campus Center and at the Madigan Library Reference Desk, and a Wear Pink Day for employees on Oct. 7.

College Store’s Public Face Captured in Private Moment

Team "Uncle" Marlin R. Cromley reassures Japan's Rio Inoue after the team's 2-1 loss to Curacao on Saturday.

Penn College employee Marlin R. Cromley, renewing his longtime August commitment as a team “uncle” at the Little League Baseball World Series, is featured in a photograph posted to Major League Baseball’s website over the weekend. The photo by Alex Trautwig encapsulates – beautifully, genuinely and emotionally – a Japan player’s tears and torment and his host’s offer of solace and support. As a cashier/customer service associate in The College Store, Cromley is accustomed to diplomatically dealing with students and other members of the public from his front-end cash register. In more than a decade at the Series, Cromley said, he feels fortunate and humbled to also see a more personal side of life. “Moments like that just happen,” he explained. “They’re kids. Outside the (International) Grove and on the field, everyone expects the best out of them. We’re privileged that they let us see them at their most tender moments, too, when they’re sometimes at their lowest, and we just try to console them the best we can.”

SGA ‘Silent Auction’ Benefits Student Scholarship Funds

Bidders assess the items on the Madigan Library auction block ...

... including a papier-mache elephant (and two winged pigs elsewhere up for sale) crafted by Dennis R. Dorward, associate professor of construction management/building construction ...

... a table donated by retiree (and accomplished woodworker) Barry R. Stiger ...

... Penn College Pride bags from the President's Office ...

... and a "chef-created dinner for two" to be prepared by Dining Services' Christopher R. Grove and donated by Grove (an alumnus) and Allison A. Bressler, assistant director of student activities for programming and Greek life

With a boost from ticket sales for a Snap-on toolbox raffle, Friday’s Student Government Association Silent Auction raised $4,127 toward the Student Leader Legacy Scholarship. The total – benefiting from the 63 campus and community bidders vying for items and services donated by more than 50 employees, students, alumni and friends of the college – is a considerable increase over the approximate $2,300 raised last year. Two toolboxes were given away during the event in the Madigan Library, with $2,660 in proceeds split between The College Store Scholarship Fund and the SGA Leader Legacy Scholarship Fund (awarded by SGA each year to Penn College students who display exemplary leadership). The tool chests were won by Terry San Angelo, of Quakertown, whose son, Drew, will be a freshman in Fall 2017, and Tanya Berfield, manager of College Transitions.

Near-Grads Find One-Stop Convenience at Outdoor ‘Finale’

A long line forms even before the start of Grad Finale. First and second in line (at right) are building automation technology seniors and Campus View Resident Assistants Cody A. Forke, of Gilbertsville, and Christopher J. Morrin, of Morrisville. Forke has a degree in electrical technology (’14) and Morrin graduated from heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology in 2015.

A new item available in The College Store: a "Penn College Grad” baseball cap with "2016" on the back!

Nathaniel E. Brown, a business administration: management concentration senior from Philadelphia, diligently fills out a poster overflowing with thanks to his many supporters.

Warding off the morning chill by the Bush Campus Center fire pit is Hamad H. Almarri, a student from Saudi Arabia anticipating his degree in heating, ventilation and air conditioning design technology.

A mother-and-son graduating duo from Williamsport: Adam M. Bailey, information technology: web applications development concentration, and Wendy J. Gee, health information technology, start their celebrations early!

Soon-to-depart students with questions about commencement and postgraduate life – everything from the life span of student email to tickets for their big day to student loans – checked off their to-do list at Tuesday’s Grad Finale on the Bush Campus Center patio. Staff from Alumni Relations, Career Services, Financial Aid, Registrar, The College Store and Workforce Development & Continuing Education were available for the convenience of petitioned students, who could pick up commencement tickets, purchase caps and gowns, and learn more about alumni benefits at one handy location.

‘Wildcat Rewards’ Being Discontinued

The College Store will discontinue its Wildcat Rewards Loyalty Program effective May 31.  The store will offer more storewide promotions and other sales so that more students have the opportunity to save money on purchases. “The program has been popular with some students, but most students never trade in their points for College Store gift cards,” said Matt Branca, director of The College Store. By discontinuing the program, Branca said that store will be able to offer more discounts and sales on other merchandise.  The store recently started one-day-only “Flash Sales” that are announced via The College Store Facebook page and on the myPCT Portal the morning of the sale. Those have proved quite popular with the campus community. While the Wildcat Rewards Program is ending May 31, students will continue to earn points through May 27.  Students have until the end of the day May 31 to trade in any points for a College Store gift card.  College Store gift cards do not expire, so students should make sure and cash in those points before they expire: 500 points earns a $25 College Store gift card and 900 points earns a $50 gift card.  All points will expire and access to the program will be turned off on June 1. Students should log in to their Wildcat Rewards account via The College Store web site.  Instructions can be found on the store’s Portal page.

College Store Kicks Off Exhibition of Instructors’ Artwork

Instructor's stained glass displayed in store window

A collection of faculty member Keith M. Whitesel’s stained glass is on display in The College Store during February, the first in a series of mini-galleries featuring artists who teach noncredit classes at Penn College. An instructor of electrical technology/occupations in the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, Whitesel is teaching Stained Glass for Beginners through Workforce Development & Continuing Education starting Feb. 22. A second class, Stained Glass: Level II, will begin April 11. Stop by The College Store to see his beautiful works of art as they glimmer in the sun – and revisit throughout the year as other media (photography, jewelry, etc.) are exhibited. (The pieces of art are not for sale.)

Baier Latest ‘Student of the Month’ at Penn College

Kendel F. Baier

Kendel F. Baier, of Jersey Shore, a senior in the building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration, has been chosen as the December/January Student of the Month at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Exemplifying both academics and athletics, Baier maintains a full course load and is a national bowhunter champion on the Penn College archery team.

Among her accomplishments, she was selected as the college’s 2014 Female Athlete of the Year.

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From Garb to Grub, ‘Finale’ Has Imminent Grads Covered

Displaying one of the hottest ensembles of the season

All smiles at The College Store's traveling register is Jaret C. Brumbach, of Boyertown. Graduating with an associate degree in building construction technology, he already has a job lined up with J.R. Wegman Construction, of Douglassville.

Soon-to-be-alumni enjoy the convenience of tackling pre-commencement tasks in one locale.

Tammy M. Rich, director of alumni relations (background) , and Becky J. Shaner, alumni relations specialist, check in future alums.

The school-by-school lineup for Penn College's May 16-17 commencement ceremonies

Nearly 450 students who have petitioned to graduate in one of May’s three commencement ceremonies breezed through their last-minute chores at Monday’s Grad Finale. Held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in Penn’s Inn, near-alumni could snag their Community Arts Center tickets for the big day; buy their caps and gowns; order announcements; learn about their alumni benefits, such as career services, scholarship opportunities, campus privileges and their lifetime Penn College e-mail accounts; and enjoy free food and other giveaways.
Photos by Marc T. Kaylor, student photographer, and Becky J. Shaner (center image)

Pennsylvania College of Technology is a special mission affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University