Faculty & Staff

Baking, Pastry & Culinary Arts Business & Hospitality Business & Hospitality Management Faculty & Staff Students

Catering class creates winning meal at riverfront museum

Student managers for the event, Gray and Jordan, plate the dessert: key lime pie with coconut panna cotta.

Students Jordan, Showers and Meszaros look over the main course before serving: an herb-and-garlic-crusted loin of beef with classic au jus lié and potato cake.

Shannon and Gray plate an intermezzo of tropical citrus sorbet.

It is fitting that each year, Pennsylvania College of Technology students enrolled in a catering class bring their talents to a historic building that, when built in the late 1790s, was a tavern and inn. Set along the Susquehanna River in Lewisburg, it served river travelers.

Now the structure is open to the public as the Packwood House Museum, and among the highlights of the year for the organization is a raffle for an elegant “Champagne and Orchids” dinner for eight, created by the Penn College catering class and served in the museum’s dining room.

Faculty & Staff

Penn College welcomes new employees

PCToday continues its regular feature – welcoming new full-time and regular part-time Pennsylvania College of Technology employees, as reported by the Human Resources Office.

Admissions Alumni Events Faculty & Staff Students

A shining example

Blue skies erupt over campus, joining a new entrance sign in welcoming those ready to embrace a "Future Made by Hand."

Less than 24 hours after freezing April showers and overhead gloom shrouded the area, far more seasonal conditions prevailed for a Spring Open House that more than lived up to its name. Rising temperatures were matched by warm smiles and abundant goodwill in every corner of Penn College’s campuses, where students, employees and alumni helped inquisitive visitors spend a Saturday to remember.

Alumni Events Faculty & Staff Students

Annual reunion includes belated tribute to WTI veterans

Denice Palmeter, '59, electronics, proudly wears his honor cord while exchanging sincere appreciation with Beaver.

Thirty-two graduates of Williamsport Technical Institute, a precursor to Pennsylvania College of Technology, were among the 70 attendees at Friday’s 19th annual reunion. Combining coffee and continental breakfast, presentations, lunch, and optional tours of the makerspace and brewing lab, the event allowed WTI alumni and their guests to get reacquainted with one another and their alma mater, as well as to talk with current students about the exciting developments since they left campus. Established in 1941, WTI gained a national reputation for its defense training during World War II and for retraining returning veterans for new positions in business and industry. A number of those veterans, who didn’t experience a commencement ceremony or the recognition accorded today’s graduating servicemen and women, were movingly presented with red, white and blue honor cords in gratitude for their military experience. Among those participating in the reunion were President Davie Jane Gilmour; Kimberly R. Cassel, director of alumni relations; Chet Beaver, coordinator of veteran and military services; and student veterans Keenan A. Bayus, software development and information management, Skyler B. Snyder, automotive technology, and Cody R. Harriman, emergency management technology.

Architectural Technology Construction & Design Technologies Faculty & Staff Students

Students turn cardboard into pleasingly practical ‘box seats’

Students in building science and sustainable design (or its architectural technology concentration) present their diverse "cardboard chair" projects in the LEC on Friday morning. Front row (seated, from left): Kyle L. Bromwell, Cambridge, Md.; Tomas N. Brooks, West Chester, Melissa A. Tarhovicky, East Stroudsburg; and Jeffrey L. Sementelli, Howard. Back row (from left): Zachery Mangan, Manheim; Seth R. Henry, Wernersville; Austin C. Benham, Camp Hill; Dakotah J. Hewston, Dingmans Ferry; Danielle R. Bonis, Norwalk, Conn.; Michael Tanner Reif, Felton; Riley Ferro, Berwick; Evan J. Klinger, Bloomsburg; James J. "J.J." Heft, Montrose; Bridget A. Kranz, Patton; and Cole J. Moriarty, Winston-Salem, N.C. (Photo by Rob A. Wozniak, associate professor of architectural technology) — Students in building science and sustainable design (or its architectural technology concentration) present their diverse “cardboard chair” projects in the LEC on Friday morning. Front row (seated, from left): Kyle L. Bromwell, Cambridge, Md.; Tomas N. Brooks, West Chester, Melissa A. Tarhovicky, East Stroudsburg; and Jeffrey L. Sementelli, Howard.
Back row (from left): Zachery Mangan, Manheim; Seth R. Henry, Wernersville; Austin C. Benham, Camp Hill; Dakotah J. Hewston, Dingmans Ferry; Danielle R. Bonis, Norwalk, Conn.; Michael Tanner Reif, Felton; Riley Ferro, Berwick; Evan J. Klinger, Bloomsburg; James J. “J.J.” Heft, Montrose; Bridget A. Kranz, Patton; and Cole J. Moriarty, Winston-Salem, N.C. (Photo by Rob A. Wozniak, associate professor of architectural technology)

Third-year students in Architectural Design Studio V, challenged to create fully functional chairs that hold the weight of an adult without the use of adhesives, impressively delivered on their assignment in presentations Friday morning. Four teams collaborated on the chairs, which were evaluated in the architectural jury room on such criteria as function, aesthetics and ergonomics. Corrugated cardboard was chosen as a valuable raw material, as it carries the best recycling rate of any packaging material in use. In 2015, for instance, more than 23 million tons were recovered and reused – 74 percent of all cardboard produced that year. Geoffrey M. Campbell, assistant professor of architectural technology, and Rob A. Wozniak, associate professor of architectural technology, critiqued the chairs with guest judges Melinda D. Heckman, admissions counselor; Christa Matlack, women’s soccer coach; and Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday. Chairs and explanatory posters could be seen in the architectural wing on the second floor of the Hager Lifelong Education Center during Spring Open House, and will be displayed in the lobby of The Gallery at Penn College during a mid-May exhibit of capstone projects by seniors in the building science and sustainable design major.

Faculty & Staff Sports Students

Athletes’ sweet revenge benefits autism awareness

Wildcat softball player Morgan B. Heritage, of New Castle, Del., delivers to John D. Vandevere, director of athletics.

Outfielder Shayla M. Bickel, of Shinglehouse, a Student Athlete Advisory Council representative, was a favorite target ... — Outfielder Shayla M. Bickel, of Shinglehouse, a Student Athlete Advisory Council representative, was a favorite target …

... although her colleagues – Matt Blymier, the college’s assistant director of athletics/sports information director, and Jackie Klahold, women’s head softball coach/senior woman administrator – didn't escape unscathed. — … although her colleagues – Matt Blymier, the college’s assistant director of athletics/sports information director, and Jackie Klahold, women’s head softball coach/senior woman administrator – didn’t escape unscathed.

Madeline P. "Maddie" Wenk, also on coach Klahold's roster, aids the cause. — Madeline P. “Maddie” Wenk, also on coach Klahold’s roster, aids the cause.

The Penn College Athletics Department held its fourth annual pie-in-the-face fundraiser Wednesday to mark NCAA Division III Week, which highlights and celebrates the accomplishments of student-athletes on and off the field. Participants paid for the right to lob a plate of foamy fun at their favorite Wildcats, lined up in the Keystone Dining Room, resulting in the collection of $200 to benefit Autism Speaks.
Photos by J.J. Boettcher, student photographer

Alumni Baking, Pastry & Culinary Arts Business & Hospitality Business & Hospitality Management Faculty & Staff Students

Students to cook for thousands at Kentucky Derby

During Derby Week 2018, Pennsylvania College of Technology students, from left, Bridget M. Callahan, of Pottsville; Bailey L. Frey, of Watsontown; Bethany R. Taylor, ’18, of Moosic; and Stephanie C. Myers, ’18, of Catawissa, step away from the kitchens at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., to take in the facility’s world-famous track. Twenty-eight students and 10 alumni will again join the hospitality team for the 2019 Kentucky Derby on May 4.

Pennsylvania College of Technology will again be part of the hospitality team for the running of the historic Kentucky Derby on May 4.

Twenty-eight students, 10 alumni and a faculty member are set to spend a week in Louisville, Kentucky, where they will join a legion of culinarians from Levy Restaurants, the food purveyor for Churchill Downs.

While there, the students learn to produce high quality cuisine in mass quantities.

“Our students continue to be instrumental in the production of premium food service, working with some of the top chefs in the country, plus celebrity chefs,” said Chef Charles R. Niedermyer, instructor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts, who will accompany students to the Downs for the 12th time.

Accounting & Finance Alumni Architectural Technology Baking, Pastry & Culinary Arts Building Construction Business & Hospitality Civil Engineering & Surveying Collision Repair & Restoration Construction & Design Technologies Corporate Relations Electrical Engineering Design Technology Faculty & Staff Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Industrial Design Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies Landscape/Horticulture Plastics & Polymer President Scholarships Students Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies Welding

Scholarship luncheon provides firsthand look at donors’ impact

Ferki tells guests, “Scholarships act as a gateway to inspire growth in a student’s academics and passion for his or her industry.” She is the recipient of the SEKISUI SPI Workforce Development Scholarship and the Penn College Foundation Scholarship.

The empowering combination of applied technology education and financial support was celebrated Sunday afternoon, as Pennsylvania College of Technology hosted its second annual Scholarship Luncheon in the campus Field House.

“I am overwhelmed by the collective energies in this room to transform tomorrow,” President Davie Jane Gilmour said, addressing students, families and donors alike. Announcing that the coming academic year will include the largest total amount of scholarships awarded in any one year during the college’s history, she thanked attendees for their significant role in helping students succeed.

Faculty & Staff

Penn College welcomes new employees

PCToday continues its regular feature – welcoming new full-time and regular part-time Pennsylvania College of Technology employees, as reported by the Human Resources Office.

Automotive College Transitions Construction & Design Technologies Faculty & Staff Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies Information Technology Nursing Nursing & Health Sciences Students Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies

Dual-enrollment students attend Penn College NOW visit days

Daniel J. Harris, instructor of HVAC technology, talks with a group about classes in air conditioning and refrigeration while showing them a lab.

More than 400 high school students, all enrolled in Penn College classes at their respective high school or career and technology center, visited campus on Friday. A visit to campus is a required part of every course offered through the college’s Penn College NOW dual-enrollment program. The program offers Penn College classes at more than 50 partner secondary-education facilities throughout the state. College Transitions and First Year Initiatives hosts visits for participating schools throughout the year. To ensure that courses offered through Penn College NOW maintain the same rigor as those offered on campus, secondary teachers work with Penn College faculty liaisons who train them to teach the course curriculum, visit each school at least once a year, and grade high school students’ final projects. In addition to hosting Penn College NOW student visits – including a March 19 trip, also documented in this photo gallery – College Transitions and First Year Initiatives conducts frequent group visits for other secondary students, providing college and career exploration, including a campus tour. On April 2, Lycoming Career and Technology Center plans to bring 200 students to campus for sessions with Career Services, the Academic Success Center and more.

Alumni Faculty & Staff Landscape/Horticulture Students Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies

Students travel to Colorado for national landscape competition

With Colorado’s natural beauty as a backdrop, the Pennsylvania College of Technology landscape/horticulture technology contingent relaxes after national competition. From left are students Kendall A. Wanner, of Denver, Pa., and Adri S. Lee, of Williamsport; alumnus Ronald A. Burger; students Kendra M. Snyder, of Montoursville, and Drew J. Marsh, of Marble; assistant professor Carl J. Bower Jr.; and students Joseph A. Kern, of Mechanicsburg, William X. DeMarco, of Glen Mills, and Alexis M. Witherite, of Spring Mills.

Seven Pennsylvania College of Technology horticulture students, a supportive alumnus and a faculty member recently traveled to Colorado State University for the 43rd annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition.

A number of Penn College students were among the top performers in their respective categories, and the team finished 33rd among 64 schools. Brigham Young University-Provo was the overall winner.

Making the March 19-24 trip to Fort Collins, Colorado, were students William X. DeMarco, of Glen Mills; Joseph A. Kern, of Mechanicsburg; Adri S. Lee, of Williamsport; Drew J. Marsh, of Marble; Kendra M. Snyder, of Montoursville; Kendall A. Wanner, of Denver, Pennsylvania; and Alexis M. Witherite, of Spring Mills. Lee and Marsh are enrolled in landscape/horticulture technology: plant production emphasis; the others are in the major’s landscape emphasis.

Baking, Pastry & Culinary Arts Business & Hospitality Faculty & Staff Students

Penn College announces cake competition winners

Judges for Pennsylvania College of Technology’s annual wedding cake competition awarded first place to Aurora Mercedes LeBlanc, of Williamsport.

Pennsylvania College of Technology recently announced the winners of its annual wedding cake competition, with first-place honors awarded to a cake topped with a hand-molded weeping cherry tree.

The decorator responsible for the intricately detailed cake is Aurora Mercedes LeBlanc, a non-degree student from Williamsport.

Automotive Baking, Pastry & Culinary Arts Building Construction Business & Hospitality Construction & Design Technologies Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic Events Faculty & Staff Nursing & Health Sciences Students Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies

Girl Scouts ‘spark curiosity’ in daylong campus event

Learning about car care from Christopher H. Van Stavoren, assistant automotive professor

The Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania and the PPL Foundation held a free STEAM Lab at Penn College from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, providing more than 250 girls and young women – from kindergarten through 12th grade – with a hands-on look at Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics pursuits while learning and working with Penn College instructors and students. Attendees worked side-by-side with Penn College faculty/staff and students to earn badges and take part in workshops. Girl Scouts also heard from campus leaders about the future of STEAM and garnered “Spark Curiosity” patches for their participation.

Building Construction Construction & Design Technologies Faculty & Staff Students

Penn Staters go off-campus for hands-on fun

Architecture students from Penn State spent Friday in Penn College’s Construction Masonry Building as part of the university’s Masonry Design Competition. As a precursor to that activity – sponsored by the Pennsylvania Concrete Masonry Association and funded through a National Pennsylvania Concrete Masonry Association Foundation grant – the students are taught a variety of helpful masonry skills by Penn College construction majors. The annual visit, facilitated by faculty members Clifford J. Jones and Glenn R. Luse, coincided with a meeting of masonry instructors from Pennsylvania and Maryland. Students from Penn State’s landscape architecture program make a similar trip to campus each fall.

Automated Manufacturing & Machining Faculty & Staff Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies Students

Collaborative effort revs up Penn College’s Baja SAE team

Members of Penn College’s Baja SAE team take a break during a day of testing their vehicle in preparation for Baja SAE Tennessee Tech, scheduled for April 11-14 in Cookeville, Tenn. From left are Christopher M. Schweikert, of Jamison; Dakota C. Harrison, of Lewisberry; Corey J. Mason, of Lake City; Justin R. Dahlberg, of Manahawkin, N.J.; Daniel M. Gerard, of Doylestown; John D. Kleinfelter, of Lebanon; Trevor M. Clouser, of Millmont; Shujaa AlQahtani, of Saudi Arabia; Mark A. Turek, of Red Lion; Dylan A. Bianco, of State College; Dominic J. Lepri, of Monroe Township, N.J.; David Carlson, of Elizabethtown; Morgan R. Bagenstose, of Reading; and Matthew J. Nyman, of Lock Haven.

A collaborative multidisciplinary effort is fueling Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Baja SAE team’s preparation for two major international competitions sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

The Penn College team will compete at Baja SAE Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, Tennessee, April 11-14 and at Baja SAE Rochester in Rochester, New York, June 6-9.

“The past success of the team has sparked a lot of interest from students in a variety of majors,” said John G. Upcraft, instructor of manufacturing and machining and adviser to the college’s Baja SAE club since its 2005 inception. “Traditionally, our team primarily consisted of manufacturing and machining students. Now we have other students offering their services, including some as part of their coursework. It’s great that more people are assisting and have a stake in the team’s achievements.”

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