News about Events

Penn College Calendar

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

WDCE Location Marks Decade of Delivery – and Counting

Kathryn Ecker (left), an organizational-development professional, discusses leadership solutions to support business strategies.

Gerald A. Welshans, consultant/instructor with the National Sustainable Structures Center, shares energy insights with guests.

In the mechatronics engineering technology lab, visitors “talk shop” with Thomas W. Fry (right), industrial technology specialist.

"Plastics" is the word in this discussion facilitated by Plastics Innovation & Resource Center staff Brennan B. Wodrig (left) and Christopher J. Gagliano (center).

The lobby of the Center for Business & Workforce Development bustles with business banter.

Penn College celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Center for Business & Workforce Development during a Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce PM Exchange on Thursday evening. Chamber members toured the 1127 W. Fourth St. facility for a closer look at the varied technologies, programs and expertise – from plastics to energy, computers to health care – available through Workforce Development & Continuing Education to help business and industry assess their training needs and close the skills gap.

‘Faire,’ Fowl Intersect at Renaissance-Themed Fete

Be that a dragon on ye shoulder? Kiana C. Lougie brought along a yet-to-be-named friend she found at the popular Sterling Renaissance Festival in upstate New York. Lougie is a building construction technology student from Pittsford, N.Y.

“Come sit you down and have a good laugh!” proved to be an invitation too good to decline, as the campus community enjoyed Dining Services’ sumptuous Renaissance Feast this week in and around “The Grand Hall” that is the Capitol Eatery. From 4-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, the crowd partook of the costumed spectacle – jugglers and jousting, displays and demonstrations – and savored a menu that included carved turkey, beer-braised short ribs, roasted root vegetables, corn on the cob, mashed or roasted potatoes, and desserts.

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Penn College Athletics Is On the Move

Pennsylvania College of Technology recently marked the beginning of its full membership status with the NCAA by unveiling a Wildcat-inspired bus – Susquehanna Trailways-owned and Penn College-branded – and a new way to support athletics: the Wildcat Club. “The bus is to continue to spread the word about Penn College, so everywhere this bus goes, whether it has our athletes in it or somebody else, they have the opportunity to know about (the college) and the new Wildcat in town,” President Davie Jane Gilmour said. The college is grateful to alumnus Cam Kephart, ’97, vice president for Susquehanna Trailways, for his assistance in coordinating this mutually beneficial agreement. “It’s going to be a huge recruiting advantage for us,” added John D. Vandevere, director of athletics. “Because everybody that we’re driving past – high schools, small towns, other colleges and universities that we play – are going to see that, “Wow, they really upped their game!” (Photo gallery)

Lecture, Reception Mark Continuation of Gallery Exhibit

Steven Brower

Projected images enhance an informative lecture by Brower, held in the SASC conference room ...

... just across Hagan Way from a companion exhibit on the third floor of Madigan Library.

His interest raised, a patron lowers his cellphone to get a photo in the college gallery.

The Penn College community attended a graphic design lecture and reception for a poster exhibit on Wednesday. The lecture, delivered by Steven Brower – an award-winning graphic designer, author and educator – was in the Student & Administrative Services Center’s first-floor presentation room. Among Brower’s works are books on legendary musicians Louis Armstrong and Woody Guthrie. The reception for the National Poster Retrospecticus followed in The Gallery at Penn College. The display of 100 posters, which runs through Oct. 11, includes pieces by nationally recognized artists as well as a collection of posters created by Penn College graphic design alumni (when they were students).
Photos by Tia G. La, student photographer

NCAA Celebration Heralds New Era for Penn College Athletics

A fan-tastic night to catch Wildcat fever!

The campus community officially entered an exciting new age Wednesday night: celebrating Pennsylvania College of Technology’s full membership in Division III of the NCAA – not to mention the attendant boost to school pride from a dynamic new logo, an exciting mascot makeover and a literal driving force for institutional marketing. A short program outside the Field House marked the occasion, recognizing the members and sponsors of Athletics and the Wildcat Club booster society, followed by a women’s soccer game at the Athletic Field and a women’s volleyball match in Bardo Gymnasium.

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Last updated September 13, 2017 | Posted in Alumni, Events, Faculty & Staff, President, Sports, Students | This gallery contains 43 photos. | Tagged as | Leave a comment

Taking an Outside Chance, in Tents and Purposes

Flames vanquish the fallish chill, warmly encouraging fireside chats.

About 30 students took part in the inaugural Penn College Outdoor Weekend on Friday and Saturday, enjoying a camping trip amid the Schneebeli Earth Science Center’s 400-plus acres of scenic surroundings. Organized by the Student Activities Office – and enhanced by hospitable weather and the playground that IS the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies’ living laboratory – the overnight experience allowed students to learn Survival 101 tips; practice their open-fire cooking skills with “mountain pies” and s’mores; prepare their own campsites; and much more.

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Last updated September 12, 2017 | Posted in Events, Faculty & Staff, Students, Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies | This gallery contains 11 photos. | Tagged as | 3 Comments

Blood Donors Answer Two-Day ‘Call to Action’

Blood drive collects 178 pintsThe American Red Cross collected a total of 178 pints of blood during Penn College’s first two-day blood drive of the fall semester, a particularly rewarding result given shortages both regionally and in storm-stricken states. “Your effort shows your generosity, selflessness and dedication to helping others,” noted Carl L. Shaner, College Health Services director. “We collectively answered the ‘call to action’ that the Red Cross initiated due to critical shortages of blood in Texas and the surrounding areas.” Thirty percent of the blood will meet local demands here and a majority will aid in blood shortages where drives can’t be held due to the destruction wrought by Hurricane Harvey. “Of course, the real winners are the patients in need of blood,” Shaner added in an email to the campus community. “Your effort is truly appreciated by the blood recipients, their loved ones and all of us here at Penn College.” Every pint potentially saves three lives, so 534 people ultimately could benefit from the contributions by students, faculty and staff. The next Bloodmobile visit will be Nov. 15-16 in Penn’s Inn, on the second floor of the Bush Campus Center.

Dining Services Celebrates Autumn at Artisanal Marketplace

Woodcarver Liam M. McCay, an applied technology studies major from Bloomsburg, offers a live demo of his time-honored craft.

Movie posters are artfully repurposed as notebook covers.

Also sharing hands-on expertise is alumna Alyssa L. Fink, an assistant baker in Dining Services.

Terraria on display

Dining Services’ Fall Artisan Market, a showcase of items from “funky scarves” and stoneware pottery to tote bags and handmade jewelry, brought a touch of the bazaar to the Bush Campus Center on Wednesday evening. The next market, featuring holiday items, is set for 5-8 p.m. Nov. 1.
Photos by Rachel A. Eirmann, student photographer

Music Club Sponsoring Eight-Week Exploration of Faith

Table topics: Material in the SASC lobby sets the agenda for the weeks to come.

Speaker William F. Covert Jr., an adjunct member of the college's mathematics faculty, continues the conversation with Rachel Bouscaren, of Williamsport.

Cullen S. Berfield, the reigning "Penn College Star," adds music to the mix.

Event organizer James C. Hendrie (center), a software development and information management major, talks with an attendee.

“Bible on Trial,” a two-month series of conversations, sponsored by the Penn College Music Club and held at 8 p.m. Tuesdays in the Student & Administrative Services Center’s first-floor presentation room, began this week. The opening topic in the program, which provides students with a venue for informal discussion of spirituality, was “The Bible and Validity Testing.” Scheduled for future consideration are: Sept. 12, “Creation vs. Evolution”; Sept. 19, “Everything Metaphysical (Angels and Demons)”; Sept. 26, “Free Will vs. Determinism”; Oct. 3, “Love & Relationship vs. Rules & Religion”; Oct. 10, “Jesus – Myth, Man, Martyr or More?”; Oct. 17, “The Bible and Sex”; and Oct. 24, “The Bible and Mind-Altering Substances.”
Photos by Rachel A. Eirmann, student photographer

Rules of Engagement

The Wildcat Events Board makes it clear how much fun involvement can be.

The Field House was at the center of several recent events that featured the very heart of Penn College: its students. This past week’s Fall Fusion and Part-Time Job Fair catered to those looking for occasional employment and/or ways to get involved with campus and community organizations, and a dodgeball tournament among First Year Experience classes provided stress relief after the opening weeks of the fall semester. (Finishing in first- to fifth-place, respectively, were I Love Kitties, Paul’s Disciples, The Winning Team, Lightning McLean and Team HA.)

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Last updated September 5, 2017 | Posted in Events, Faculty & Staff, Students | This gallery contains 28 photos. | Tagged as | Leave a comment

Plastics Professionals Converge on Penn College Campus

Mark Strachan (in green shirt), senior technology director for First Quality Packaging Solutions in West Palm Beach, Florida, and former chairman of the Society of Plastics Engineers Thermoforming Division, reviews results of a temperature change with participants at the Eighth Annual National Hands-On Thin-Gauge/Roll-Fed Thermoforming Workshop at Penn College’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center.

Plastics professionals representing 13 companies, nine states and Canada attended the Eighth Annual National Hands-On Thin-Gauge/Roll-Fed Thermoforming Workshop at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center.

Mark Strachan, senior technology director for First Quality Packaging Solutions in West Palm Beach, Florida, and former chairman of the Society of Plastics Engineers Thermoforming Division, served as keynote instructor for the 24 participants. Penn College faculty and staff assisted Strachan throughout the three-day workshop.

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Three Weeks Down? Time Flies When You’re Having Fun!

Students delight in creating personal fabric pieces – patches that reflect a campus organization, department, culture, etc. – for a representative quilt that will be sewn and displayed at the college.

“PC3,” a three-week opportunity for student fun and games (while making friends AND adhering to the class schedule), draws to a close … but not before PCToday photographers document another round of campus activities to kick off a new academic year. Recent days have offered a full slate of events, including the pet-friendly Hot Dog, You’re Here! meet-and-greet, a Multicultural Lawn Party, a Second Saturday Jamboree and Sex Ed Boot Camp.

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Last updated August 30, 2017 | Posted in Events, Faculty & Staff, Students | This gallery contains 1 photo. | Tagged as | Leave a comment

Off to a Good (and Good-Natured) Start

Hiking and helping

Penn College’s fourth annual “Wildcat Wars” tournament was but one of the activities on tap during “PC3,” a cornucopia of fun for students seeking a bit of friendship, civic service and flat-out distraction to help them navigate the first three weeks of the semester. In addition to the amiable contests among on- and off-campus students, initial offerings included a Riverwalk Cleanup along the West Branch, Campus Quizzo, Prize Palooza and Late Night in the Field House.

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Workforce Development to Be Showcased During PM Exchange

Workforce development to be showcased at chamber's PM Exchange.

Experience the innovative ways companies are bridging the skills gap during Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Workforce Development PM Exchange from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21.

Together with the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, Penn College will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Center for Business & Workforce Development, 1127 W. Fourth St.

“A great deal has changed in the past decade with new infrastructure, significant technology upgrades and vastly expanded program offerings,” notes Shannon Munro, vice president for workforce development. “Penn College assists companies nationwide to improve competencies in topics such as business, industrial, plastics, computer, energy and health care.”

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National Poster Show Exhibited at Penn College

Posters line a wall in The Gallery at Penn College for the National Poster Retrospecticus, on display through Oct. 11.

An internationally traveling poster show that has graced the walls of exciting venues like The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is on exhibit at The Gallery at Penn College through Oct. 11.

The National Poster Retrospecticus (NPR) features hand-printed posters made by prominent designers from around the world. The display of 100 posters at Pennsylvania College of Technology offers a comprehensive and eclectic mix of posters, including “gig posters” created for musical performances, as well as prints celebrating America’s national parks.

“Our students are very excited, as am I, about the NPR show,” said Nicholas L. Stephenson, graphic design instructor. “Poster shows like this one are important because they articulate both the designer’s personal artistic vision and because they are representative of the times in which they are created. This is a great show for anyone who is interested in design, music and/or art. It’s a rare opportunity to see work close up from some of today’s most important and influential graphic designers and illustrators.”

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