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Penn College Calendar

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

Penn College Spring Commencement Ceremonies Set for May 11-12

Penn College will hold three commencement ceremonies in the Community Arts Center, Williamsport, on May 11-12 for the more than 900 students who have petitioned to graduate following the Spring 2018 semester.

Three commencement ceremonies will be offered May 11-12 for the more than 900 students who have petitioned to graduate following the Spring 2018 semester at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

All of the ceremonies will be held at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St., Williamsport, with more than 780 students expected to march.

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Inaugural Military Games Successful, Right Off the Bat

First baseman Colton Riley, an automotive technology student from Danville, sports the uniform worn for Tuesday's commemoration. Riley was 2-for-6 on the day, with two runs batted in.

Teams and umpires honor America – and its servicemen and women – during "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Bats were hot, with 19 Wildcat hits in the back-to-back wins.

The ritual tossing of the first pitch in the nightcap signals time to "Play ball!"

Second baseman Deric S. Ellerman, a residential construction technology and management major from Landisville, turns the double play.

Military Appreciation Night, organized by the Wildcat baseball team and Penn College’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee, movingly paid tribute … and delivered a doubleheader sweep of Mansfield University for the first time in program history. “When we organized the event, we wanted it to be about the veterans and active military members within our community. We just wanted a chance to give back, and I’m proud of the way that the players and fans represented the college in supporting our military members,” said pitcher Maxwell G. Bair, an applied management major from Centre Hall. “The Penn College community is one of the many reasons I love this school, and I’m very proud of the showing of support we had for the event. It is our goal to make the event an annual occurrence for many years to come.” The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Joseph M. Dreese – an Army veteran and member of the soccer team, graduating next month with a bachelor’s degree in information assurance and cyber security – and the national anthem was sung by softball player Alyssa G. Gentile, of Fairport, New York, a pre-applied health studies: radiography concentration, who was chosen as 2018’s “Penn College Star.” Penn College bested Mansfield in the nonconference matchup at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, 5-2 and 11-6.

Annual Silent Auction to Benefit Student Leader Legacy Scholarship

The 2017 Student Government Association Silent Auction at Penn College raised more than $3,000 for scholarship assistance. This year’s auction is scheduled for Friday, April 27, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Madigan Library.

The Student Government Association at Pennsylvania College of Technology will host its annual Silent Auction on Friday, April 27, to benefit the Student Leader Legacy Scholarship Fund.

The auction will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on the first floor of Madigan Library. All proceeds from the event – which is open to the public – will go directly toward increasing the endowment of the fund, which awards multiple scholarships annually to students who play leadership roles at the college.

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Clearance Prices Turn ‘Web Browsers’ Into Buyers at ITS Sale

Early birds who arrived at 10 p.m. Wednesday pulled an all-nighter – some did homework and two played the Settlers of Catan board game. (Two more had joined the group by 11, and many more bagan arriving at 8 a.m. Thursday). From left are Christopher D. Hogan, of Halifax, welding and fabrication engineering technology; Ryan S. Belack, also of Halifax, software development and information management; and web and interactive media majors Rachel A. Eirmann, of Bellefonte; Molly A. Amato, Levittown; and Cindy L. English, of Montoursville.

Waiting their turn in the Bush Campus Center, patient customers-to-be snake down the hall (and down the stairs).

Student volunteers standing amid the stockpile (from left): Kelvin M. Joseph, of Effort, information technology: network specialist concentration; Indiana D. Timothy, of Coudersport, electronics and computer engineering technology: robotics and automation emphasis; Andrew W. Hofmann, of Cherry Hill, N.J., information technology: network specialist concentration; Ryan Montelone, of Stevens, information assurance and cyber security; Ali D. Petrizzi, of Langhorne, graphic design; Everett B. Appleby, of Wilkes-Barre, building science and sustainable design: building construction technology concentration; and James C. Temoshenko, of Kane, information technology: gaming and simulation.

Lining up to pay

Jubilation (and smiling faces) from Hogan, Belack and English as they sprint to the finish line

Keeping Black Friday-style hours that would make lesser shoppers drag and drop, patrons of Thursday’s Information Technology Services sale virtually emptied Penn’s Inn of hardware being liquidated as part of the college’s cyclical replacement of lab computers. The first hour of the first-come, first-served sale was solely for Penn College students, who, drawn by attractive inventory at bargain prices, lined up early for the best selection. By the time the doors were further opened to college employees – and in record time, at that – it didn’t take long to call it a day.

Culinary Entrepreneur to Speak at CAC

Jay DucoteThe campus community is invited to hear Jay Ducote, runner-up on the 11th season of “Food Network Star” and inaugural speaker of Lycoming College’s entrepreneurship lecture series, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Community Arts Center.  In addition to his stint on “Food Network Star,” Ducote has hosted the “Bite and Booze Radio Show” since 2011, and made appearances on a number of TV shows, including “Masterchef,” “Cutthroat Kitchen,” “Chopped” and “Ginormous Food.” He established the Jay D’s line of sauces and single origin coffee, which he sources from Lycoming College, and will soon launch his first restaurant – Gov’t Taco – inside White Star Market in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For more, visit the Lycoming College website or check out the event poster: Jay Ducote

Event Provides Free Dental Care to Service Members, Their Families

Providing dental hygiene services are (from left): Allison D. Bailey, a student from West Chester; Samantha J. Diehl, a student from East Berlin; Paige N. Spicher, a registered dental hygienist who graduated from Penn College in 2017; and, in second exam area, Courtney E. Bashwinger, a student from Levittown.

Pennsylvania College of Technology dental hygiene students, joined by local hygienists and dentists who volunteered their time, provided free dental hygiene services to 29 current or veteran members of the armed services and their family members.

The 35 students who provided “Service Saturday” treatments on April 14 are in the Community Dental Health course, taught by Kim A. Speicher, assistant professor of dental hygiene. Each year, the class provides community service to a population in need, Speicher explained.

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Record-Setting Crowd Celebrates Commitment to Students

Guests gather in the SASC lobby prior to the start of the ceremony.

Attendees view a video showcasing the success resulting from student scholarships.

With the donor wall as a visually stunning accent, the president welcomes the crowd as Loni N. Kline, vice president for institutional advancement, stands ready to hand out gifts of appreciation.

Representing Novatec Inc., Timothy Noggle accepts his company’s Ambassador's Society recognition.

Unique floral arrangements, using sheet metal and rebar from the welding and aviation labs, were crafted by alumna Karen R. Ruhl.

The largest crowd in the event’s 14-year history shared in Monday night’s recognition of the alumni, corporate partners, friends and colleagues whose cumulative giving – reflected on a Donor Wall in the Student & Administrative Services Center – leaves a lasting impression on the college’s campuses and students.

“This year, we are honored to recognize the individuals and corporate partners whose donations and entrustments place them on the wall for the first time, or in a new membership society,” President Davie Jane Gilmour said. “Together, their collective commitments total nearly $6.5 million. To everyone in the room, your contributions to Penn College are at work ensuring that our students benefit from a vibrant, challenging and supportive learning environment while they pursue their ‘degrees that work.'”

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Welding Students Earn Top Honors in Proficiency Tests

From left are Michael E. Allen, welding instructor and department head; students Bachman, Brown, Cline and Passarelli; Flood, AWS president; and students Carroll and Rosler.

... and joins top prize-winner Bachman (with his plaque and Rebel Welding Machine).

Six Penn College students were among those recognized at a recent American Welding Society banquet as the top winners in a peer-to-peer skills competition held this semester in the Avco-Lycoming Metal Trades Center. The annual event was the culmination of precision tasks performed by advanced welding students and judged by retired faculty and industry experts. Aided by X-ray inspection of the contestants’ test-weld coupons, the judging team assessed the students’ aptitude, selected the highest performers, and showered the winners with plaques and prizes. Awarded first through sixth places, respectively, were Gavin P. Bachman, of Slatington; Leif E. Brown, of Huntingdon; Skyler M. Cline, of Erin, New York; Timothy O. Passarelli, of Purcellville, Virginia; Douglas V. Carroll, of Gouldsboro; and Ethan D. Rosler, of Bloomsburg. Cline and Rosler are enrolled in welding and fabrication engineering technology; the others are all welding technology majors. The featured speaker for the evening, which also celebrated the winners of a related high school competition, was 2018 AWS President Dale Flood, of Tri Tool Inc. in Rancho Cordova, California.
Photos by Rachel A. Eirmann, student photographer

‘Design: 2018’ Showcases Senior Students’ Portfolios

"Design 2018"

Twelve graphic design seniors at Pennsylvania College of Technology will exhibit their work as part of “Design: 2018,” the annual student portfolio exhibition in The Gallery at Penn College.

A public reception for the exhibit’s opening will be held Friday, April 27, from 4 to 6 p.m., in the gallery, located on the third floor of the Madigan Library. The design work will be on display April 27 through May 10.

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Field House Celebration Kicks Off ‘Pride Week’

A Culture Cakes activity let attendees decorate cupcakes based on the different parts of their identity.

Pride flags and balloons suitably add color to the festivities.

Participants take brushes in hand for a painting activity hosted by PC Alliance.

A table full of "Pride Swag" offers buttons, bracelets and other giveaways.

Sunday’s rainbow-rich “Celebration of Color” ushered in the fourth annual Pride Week at Penn College, setting the stage for a full week of themed programming. The family-friendly event filled the Field House with a fun mix of music, zumba, crafts and other activities that will echo through the coming days. Also on tap are a Diversi-tea Dialogue about the college’s LGBTQ community, at 5 p.m. Monday in the Bush Campus Center lobby; a scheduled painting of “The Rock” from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday; and an adults-only Drag Show at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Thompson Professional Development Center. There will also be opportunities on Wednesday for employee and student training on gender and sexual diversity issues.
Photos by James J. “J.J.” Boettcher, student photographer

Happy Returns of the Day

Time stands still in this Penn's Inn group photo of reunion attendees, representing the college's historic and formative early years.

About 50 alumni of Williamsport Technical Institute returned to campus on Friday for an annual reunion of graduates from the institution that laid the foundation for today’s Pennsylvania College of Technology. Established by the Williamsport School District, WTI developed many innovations in hands-on adult education before becoming the third community college in the state in 1965 and later Penn College. In addition to reminiscing, the alumni – whose graduation years ranged from 1945 to 1966 – heard from current students about the latest advancements in the college’s welding, occupational therapy assistant and mechatronics academic programs. After a morning of nostalgia and student presentations, the group gathered for lunch and toured the college’s art gallery and veterans’ resource center.

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Last updated April 13, 2018 | Posted in Alumni, Events, Faculty & Staff, Gallery, Students | This gallery contains 20 photos. | Tagged as | 5 Comments

Dance Team Performs Free for Students, Employees

Whether delivering Broadway dazzle ...

... or campus pride ...

... the Wildcat Dance Team fervently moves through a display of musical styles and costume changes.

Penn College’s Wildcat Dance Team held its spring “Take the Stage” fundraiser Thursday evening in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium, the second of two performances within the week. Team members showcased numerous styles of dance throughout the production, including jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, street funk, Broadway jazz, Irish, character, tap, commercial jazz, country line and contemporary. Musical selections accompanying the choreography represented a variety of traditional, urban and contemporary. All proceeds from the production support the Wildcat Dance Team in achieving its fundraising goals.
Photos by Jeremy R. Bottorf, coordinator of athletics for club sports, intramurals and camps 

Artist Immerses Audience in Depths of Creative Inspiration

The speaker is backed by visuals of a brooch she gave to former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who used pins as her diplomatic signature.

Two stories of audience engagement in the ACC Auditorium

Strzelec answers an audience member’s question as the evening’s moderator, Craig A. Miller, instructor of engineering design, looks on.

At the conclusion of the talk, students and community members explore some of the artist’s jewelry designs.

A former Penn State Laureate, Strzelec takes pride in her campus and community (which she pointed out to the audience is “home of the Slinky” – an excellent example of toy design).

College and community members were taken on an exploration of personal and professional layers Tuesday evening in a talk delivered by 3-D printing artist Rebecca Strzelec, as part of Penn College’s Technology & Society Colloquia Series. About 150 people gathered in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium for “Art + Engineering = Creative Problem Solving.” Strzelec, professor of visual arts and program coordinator of visual arts studies at Penn State Altoona, served as the Penn State Laureate in 2016-17. She shared artistic projects crafted in her digital studio and discussed a range of inspirations and collaborations. Earlier in the day, Strzelec visited an industrial design model-building class in College Avenue Labs and dined in Le Jeune Chef Restaurant with graphic design and industrial design students and professors. Her evening conversation featured an engaging question-and-answer session, including discussion related to The Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College, expected to open in Fall 2018. The event concluded with a reception in Wrapture. The next presentation of the Technology & Society Colloquia Series is titled “The Great War and the Forgotten Realm” and set for Nov. 8, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. Presented in collaboration with the Notre Dame Club of Greater Williamsport, the talk will be delivered by John Deak, associate professor of history at Notre Dame University, as part of Notre Dame’s Hesburgh Lecture Series.

‘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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Spring Car Show Pays Tribute, Renews Tradition

PCMA members display their Autocross Pontiac Fiero.

Inventive student-made trophies include an award in memory of Larry B. Leavitt, who died in January after 20 years as an automotive faculty member.

Members of the college's Diesel Performance Club offer up a work-in-progress: a 1959 Mack B model with triple turbochargers.

Loren R. Bruckhart, collision repair instructor and department head, with his Dodge Charger

A student-entered "Rat Rod"

The sun shone on Saturday’s Spring Car Show, sponsored by the Penn College Motorsports Association and Penn College Classic Cruisers. Proceeds from the third annual event, held on the Carl Building Technologies Center parking lot, benefited both clubs and the American Cancer Society.
Photos by Brett A. Reasner, dean of transportation and natural resources technologies

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