Events

Penn College Calendar

For a list of all events on campus, go to the Calendar.

Admissions Alumni Events Faculty & Staff Students

Join ‘tomorrow makers’ at Penn College’s Oct. 27 Open House

The Madigan Library (left) and Bush Campus Center near the main entrance of Pennsylvania College of Technology will be open for campus visitors along with cutting-edge labs and classrooms for more than 100 academic program areas during an Open House on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s rich history of turning today’s eager learners into the highly skilled workforce of tomorrow will be on ample display during an Oct. 27 Open House.

The college will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for prospective students and their families to delve into scores of bachelor’s, associate and certificate programs. Buses will conveniently traverse main campus throughout the day, and shuttles will regularly carry guests to and from the Schneebeli Earth Science and Lumley Aviation centers.

“Our students learn by doing, and our Open House is no different. Guests will get a taste of the student experience by exploring labs and participating in hands-on activities,” said Jen M. Cullin-Hetrick, coordinator of admissions events and communications. “Connecting with faculty, staff, students and alumni provides ample opportunity for prospective students to have their questions answered and to discover their path at Penn College.”

College Transitions Dining Services Events Faculty & Staff Students

The world at your fingertips

Trio Los Claveles, from Rochester, N.Y., entertains dinner patrons.

Students line up for tasty dishes "from the kitchen." — Students line up for tasty dishes “from the kitchen.”

Naim N. Jabour, assistant professor of architecture, stands ready to discuss an upcoming trip to Spain.

Penn College offers a growing number of study abroad programs, from short-term stays to semesterlong adventures and internships.

Students this week took note of Penn College’s place in the global community, from cultural celebration to international study. Tuesday’s Hispanic Heritage Dinner, a collaboration of Student Engagement and Dining Services in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), filled Capitol Eatery with authentic cuisine and live music. On Wednesday, in a Global Experiences Expo facilitated by College Transitions & First Year Initiatives, faculty and students who have traveled abroad answered questions outside the Keystone Dining Room about their experiences.
Photos by Juvy A. Orillaza, student photographer

Alumni Corporate Relations Events Faculty & Staff Sports Students

Penn College dedicates UPMC Field, honors corporate partners

Penn College soccer players presented the college’s corporate partners with framed collages recognizing their support of UPMC Field and the enhanced athletic complex. Gathered at midfield for dedication ceremonies are (from left) Morgan Brooks, of Bellefonte; Ramel Newerls, key account manager for Pepsi; Amy Brooks, vice president of sales for Susquehanna Trailways; Tiffany Brown, of Mechanicsburg; Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour, Chris R. McFarland, of Coatesville; Tayla E. Derr, of Selinsgrove; UPMC President Steven Johnson; and Francesca M. Timpone, of Smithtown, N.Y.

As part of Homecoming and Parent & Family Weekend activities, Pennsylvania College of Technology celebrated its new synthetic turf field – “UPMC Field” – and a host of other recent enhancements to its athletic complex, including a new entrance gate, press box and scoreboard.

In ceremonies taking place before Wildcat men’s and women’s soccer matches, Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour expressed gratitude for the financial support from M&T Bank (M&T Bank Gate), Pepsi (the Pepsi Press Box), Susquehanna Trailways (the Susquehanna Trailways Scoreboard) and UPMC (the new artificial turf playing surface bearing the hospital system’s name).

“Many of you here today help and empower students through your personal and philanthropic support to earn an applied technology education and develop into successful alumni influencing the communities in which they choose to live and work,” the president said. “Collaborative partnerships transform tomorrow, and it is only fitting that we celebrate and recognize the loyal support of our Wildcat Club members today for the energy they inspire in our coaches and student-athletes.

Alumni Events Faculty & Staff President Sports Students

‘Wildcat Pride’ abundantly displayed at combined celebration

Brandon R. Weirman (center), a freshman in electrical technology from Audubon, enjoys a photo op with his parents, sister and grandmother.

The fourth annual Homecoming and Parent & Family Weekend (Oct. 4-6) provided another exhaustive opportunity for alumni, current students and families to (re)connect. The celebration opened with Friday’s 40th reunion of the dental hygiene program, a blazing bonfire, Hall of Fame banquet and convivial tent party; continued Saturday with a presidential breakfast, car show, scenic bus excursions, tours of academic labs, a golf tournament, on-campus sporting events, the dedication of UPMC Field and celebration of corporate benefactors, arts and crafts, a 40th anniversary paramedic commemoration and an alumni event at New Trail Brewing Co.; and concluded Sunday with an intrasquad baseball game. And the numbers were as impressive as the activities. More than 400 alumni and guests returned for Homecoming (double the alumni attendance from a year ago) and another 370 families – amounting to nearly 1,000 overall guests – participated in Parent & Family Weekend.

Events Faculty & Staff Students

‘Energy 101’ offers engaging insights, awareness in public talk

“Energy 101,” the next talk in the Technology & Society Colloquia Series at Pennsylvania College of Technology, will be presented Tuesday, Oct. 29, by Edward J. Maginn, a guest lecturer with the University of Notre Dame’s Hesburgh Lecture Series. The program is being offered in partnership with the Notre Dame Club of Greater Williamsport.

Energy fuels our everyday lives and flows into our conversations, yet many of us struggle with this complex subject. Topics such as peak oil, carbon dioxide emissions, fracking, renewables, batteries, pipelines and nuclear power are much talked about and debated. “Energy 101,” the next talk in the Technology & Society Colloquia Series at Pennsylvania College of Technology, will provide a gentle introduction to the basics of energy.

What do we mean by energy? How much energy do we use and why? Where does our energy come from? What might it take to change our energy portfolio? What are the challenges of changing our energy-use patterns? These questions are among those that will be answered in the colloquium scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium. The talk is free and open to the public.

In partnership with the Notre Dame Club of Greater Williamsport, Edward J. Maginn, a guest lecturer with the University of Notre Dame’s Hesburgh Lecture Series, will deliver “Energy 101,” which will also highlight some of the energy-related research going on at Notre Dame.

Alumni Events Faculty & Staff Students

In Homecoming tradition, fountain follows course of a different color

General Services' Gary T. Pandolfi, refrigeration, heating and plumbing mechanic, helps Katherine A. Downes, a graphic design major from Hamburg, as students took turns pouring Wildcat Blue dye into the water outside the ATHS. — General Services’ Gary T. Pandolfi, refrigeration, heating and plumbing mechanic, helps Katherine A. Downes, a graphic design major from Hamburg, as students took turns pouring Wildcat Blue dye into the water outside the ATHS.

The deep-blue hue works its way through the fountain's pool, a change that will remain until after the college's Oct. 27 Open House. — The deep-blue hue works its way through the fountain’s pool, a change that will remain until after the college’s Oct. 27 Open House.

Celebrating their tag-team tinting of the Veterans' Fountain are (from left) SGA's Downes, Michael E. Highland II, Patrick C. Ferguson and Ryan P. Farabaugh; and WEB's Jerry J. Hudak, McKenna N. Myers, Shaqira S. Drummond, Serena V. Bergeron and Chad M. Karper. — Celebrating their tag-team tinting of the Veterans’ Fountain are (from left) SGA’s Downes, Michael E. Highland II, Patrick C. Ferguson and Ryan P. Farabaugh; and WEB’s Jerry J. Hudak, McKenna N. Myers, Shaqira S. Drummond, Serena V. Bergeron and Chad M. Karper.

Nine members of Penn College’s Student Government Association and Wildcat Events Board introduced dye into The Veterans’ Fountain at first light Monday morning, encouraged by the Office of Student Engagement and General Services in the traditional prelude to Homecoming and Parent & Family Weekend. The annual observance is a time to connect alumni, students, families and friends through many great events across a beautiful college campus. Among the activities showcasing Wildcat Pride are the ninth annual Alumni Golf Outing, the Alumni & Friends Tent Party, a bonfire outside Madigan Library, breakfast with President Davie Jane Gilmour, and open academic labs. Men’s and women’s soccer games on the new UPMC Field, featuring a number of local food trucks, and an Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner will also take place. (Watch PCToday next Monday morning for a photo gallery from the weekend’s festivities.)

Automotive Collision Repair & Restoration Events Ford Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies

Longtime automotive journalist to address ACC audience

Veteran journalist, author and marketer John M. Clor will share his comprehensive insight into the auto industry with the Penn College community during a presentation at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium. A regular columnist for a number of publications, Clor will discuss the Ford Mustang’s role in the automaker’s production history and how design drives the public’s interest in cars. More on the speaker’s extensive background is available in his official bio: John M. Clor

Dining Services Events Students

Renaissance Feast: a sumptuously merry ‘knight’ out

Throwing caution to the early-autumn breeze, armored contestants prepare to do battle in the Rose Street Courtyard.

Savory meat-filled hand pies fleshed out the evening's menu (and those who partook)! — Savory meat-filled hand pies fleshed out the evening’s menu (and those who partook)!

The cellphone may be out of place, but this helmeted reveler (Jonah A. Ziegler, an electronics and computer engineering technology student from Pottstown) is decidedly not out of costume.

Feats of skill and dexterity include axe-throwing ... — Feats of skill and dexterity include axe-throwing …

... and archery demonstrations. — … and archery demonstrations.

Dining Services’ popular Renaissance Feast returned Tuesday evening to the Capitol Eatery’s “Grand Hall,” where students and employees were invited to don period finery and enjoy ample food, displays and entertainment. Among the activities were live music, tarot readings and a plant-your-own-succulent project.
Photos by Juvy A. Orillaza, student photographer

Alumni Corporate Relations Events Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies PIRC Plastics & Polymer President STEM Workforce Development

Dedication held for Shell-funded plastics facility at Penn College

Pennsylvania College of Technology President Davie Jane Gilmour (right) presents a timeline of the college’s plastics program – capped with Shell Polymers’ funding of the Shell Polymers Rotational Molding Center of Excellence – to Hilary Mercer, vice president, Pennsylvania Chemicals, for Shell. The center was dedicated in ceremonies taking place Sept. 24.

The Shell Polymers Rotational Molding Center of Excellence was unveiled Sept. 24, and Shell was honored for its generous support for facilities that aid in the instruction of aspiring plastics professionals at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

In a dedication ceremony attended by representatives of the college and Shell and a host of industry partners and stakeholders, participants celebrated the enhanced and upgraded academic and research lab, located in the Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center at Penn College.

The Shell Polymers Rotational Molding Center of Excellence will boost the college’s efforts to produce highly skilled graduates for the plastics industry while helping to ease the skills gap in plastics manufacturing. It also enables the college – which operates the Plastics Innovation & Resource Center – to assist plastics companies with research and development and the training of incumbent workers.

Events Faculty & Staff Students

Memorial blood drive nets 168 lifesaving pints

The Penn College commitment to host a memorial blood drive earlier this month with the American Red Cross truly made a difference. At the Sept. 4-5 tribute to Patrick M. Breen – a longtime General Services employee who died in June 2018 – faculty, staff and students registered 184 total donors, collected 168 pints of blood and recruited 65 first-time donors. “Our efforts have helped boost the community blood supply and ensure hospital patients have the lifesaving blood they need,” said Carl L. Shaner, director of college health services. “With our donation, over 500 patients in need of blood and blood products will benefit from our gift. Thank you, Penn College community, for your gift of time and support. The patients who have benefited from the blood drive are beyond grateful.” Shaner also thanked Joe’s Pizza for its generous donation of pizzas to the donors. The next Bloodmobile will be from noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 13-14 in Penn’s Inn (CC, second floor).

Events

Debate attendance affirms interest in mayoral race

SGA President Patrick C. Ferguson (left) welcomes the audience and introduces the candidates: Slaughter (center) and Beiter.

Miller asks a question of the two hopefuls ... — Miller asks a question of the two hopefuls …

... Slaughter, a math teacher and city councilman ... — … Slaughter, a math teacher and city councilman …

... and Beiter, a businessman — … and Beiter, a businessman

An impressive crowd, on the floor and in the balcony, takes seriously its role in the elective process.

An engaged audience of Penn College students, employees and community members crowded into the Klump Academic Center Auditorium for Tuesday’s debate between the two candidates in Williamsport’s mayoral race, sponsored by Penn College’s Student Government Association. In a 90-minute exchange moderated by Craig A. Miller, associate professor of history/political science, Republican Eric Beiter and Democrat Derek Slaughter discussed a variety of relevant issues and answered incisive questions from Miller and attendees alike. The event, which fittingly coincided with the college’s Constitution Week observance, is recounted on the front page of Wednesday’s Williamsport Sun-Gazette and in a FOX56 news report.

Events Gallery

Photos document artist’s travels along infinitely open road

The gallery’s glass doors open wide for exploration of “Graffiti Scapes.”

Hower offers insights into his process, including capturing multiple frames for stitching, a homemade panoramic camera tripod (crafted with the assistance of his woodworking father) and high-dynamic-range imaging.

Guests investigate the graffiti-covered landscapes.

The audience listens to the artist describe his ode to “Concrete City,” a now-abandoned housing site constructed in 1911 for anthracite coal workers near Nanticoke.

Photographs printed on bricks are part of Hower’s “Concrete City” installation.

A Harrisburg area photographer who was inspired to apply for a solo exhibit at The Gallery at Penn College after winning the President’s Award at last year’s Regional Juried Exhibition shared his techniques and inspirations with a large audience gathered Thursday night for the reception honoring “Graffiti Scapes.” On display through Oct. 6, the exhibition showcases Michael Hower’s digital photography of 13 abandoned sites in three states. Initially inspired to pursue the craft seven years ago by a toddler son and a rural sign denoting “Distillery Road,” the self-taught photographer described his curiosity-infused journey of endless discovery as he explores deserted historical structures and nature’s attempts to reclaim man-made landscapes. The Gallery at Penn College is open 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. The gallery, on the third floor of Madigan Library, is closed Mondays and Saturdays; however, special visitation hours will be offered 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, during Penn College’s Homecoming and Parent & Family Weekend (Oct. 4-6).

Events General Information

Late oilman’s 2011 Williamsport visit recalled

The featured speaker (center) greets Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour and her husband Fred, an alumnus and retired college faculty member.

Pickens makes a point, joined on stage by Yaw (who also chairs the college board of directors).

Wednesday’s death of oil magnate T. Boone Pickens evoked his Fall 2011 trip to Williamsport to push for energy self-sufficiency through natural gas and other sources. Pickens, who died in Dallas at age 91, delivered a public address at the Community Arts Center on Sept. 30, 2011, preceded by an invitation-only panel discussion with then-Gov. Tom Corbett, state Sen. Gene Yaw, and other government and industry leaders. The appearance also led to a Spring 2012 article in One College Avenue, the forerunner to Penn College Magazine: ‘Crude’ Alternative

Events Students

More ‘PC3’ … or ‘Pics and it DID happen!’

When "How is everything?" needn't be asked!

As the opening weeks of the semester settle into a collegiate pattern, there’s at least one thing that won’t ever become routine: the variety of activities and opportunities for Penn College students. Among recent events – immortalized, yet again, by student photographers – were a Multicultural Lawn Party, a Student Engagement Meet-and-Greet, a CC Commons Karaoke Party, a Hiawatha wing cruise, and “Wildcat Wars” among on- and off-campus residents (and won overall by Lancaster/York halls).

Events Faculty & Staff Makerspace Students

Makerspace marks anniversary with forward-looking event

Roberta Schwenk, makerspace assistant, shows first-year students the versatile capabilities of a 3D printer.

On hand to assist guests are (from left) welding instructor Timothy S. Turnbach; Thomas E. Ask, professor of industrial design; and Jeremiah C. Johnson, makerspace attendant.

Students work on personal projects in the collaborative space.

Schwenk and Barbara J. Albert, director of the Children's Learning Center – whose husband, Eric K., is an associate professor of machine tool technology – talk with a student among the evening's attendees. — Schwenk and Barbara J. Albert, director of the Children’s Learning Center – whose husband, Eric K., is an associate professor of machine tool technology – talk with a student among the evening’s attendees.

Students, faculty and staff attended a Tuesday open house at The Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College (Room 104 of the Carl Building Technologies Center), enjoying free food and refreshments and learning about all of the great things they can accomplish there. In addition to kicking off the facility’s second year, the event ushers in a full slate of weekly training sessions on a variety of interesting topics. Watch PCToday for weekly announcements of the Fall 2019 training sessions, to be held from 6-7 p.m. Thursdays through Nov. 21.
Photos by Juvy A. Orillaza, student photographer

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