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USA Today STEM insert features faculty perspective

Alicia McNettThe insights of a Penn College faculty member are included in a 16-page “Women in STEM” supplement inserted in 250,000 copies of Friday’s USA Today being distributed in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, northcentral Florida and Houston. Alicia McNett, assistant professor of computer information technology, is one of four industry success stories recruited for a panel Q&A (on Page 12) titled “We Ask the Experts How Women Can Break Into STEM.” The publication also includes a front-page ad (topped by a cover photo of Melinda Gates, who is profiled inside) directing readers to a webpage focused on the college’s passionate pioneers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math: Women in STEM supplement

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.
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).
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

Faculty & Staff General Information Workforce Development

Penn College course to help prepare students for SATs

Workforce Development at Pennsylvania College of Technology is offering a course to help high school students prepare for the standardized test used as an admissions tool by many institutions of higher learning.

The course will help students better prepare for success on the exam through live instruction, self-paced learning and individual interaction with a professional instructor. The focus will be on math, English and reading, with an optional writing session available for those who wish to practice their skills and review with a Penn College faculty member.

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Diesel & Power Generation Faculty & Staff General Information Heavy Equipment Students Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies

‘Gold Rush Excavator Tour’ to visit Penn College on Thursday

God Rush Excavator

Hosted by Highway Equipment & Supply Co., the Volvo Construction Equipment/Discovery Gold Rush Excavator tour will stop at Pennsylvania College of Technology from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5.

The Gold Rush Excavator celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Discovery show, “Gold Rush,” and is on tour in the United States and Canada, featuring the new Volvo CE EC200E 20-ton model with an Akzo Nobel paint job valued at $5,000 to $7,000; one-of-a-kind, custom premium leather KAB seating with the embroidered signatures of co-stars Tony Beets, Parker Schnabel and Rick Ness; and gold custom track pads.

The Gold Rush Excavator will be stationed on the parking lot between UPMC Field and the Parkes Automotive Technology Center. The college community is invited to attend this unique “selfie opportunity,” then post photos with #GoldRushExcavator and #HwyEquip.

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General Information

A student studies his roots while studying abroad

Food is among the adventure in Guatemala. Photo courtesy of Joey Morrin.
Food is among the adventure in Guatemala. Photo courtesy of Joey Morrin.
Graphic design student Joey Morrin joins Curt E. Vander Vere, assistant professor of mathematics, left, and D. Robert Cooley, associate professor of anthropology/environmental science, in front of a Maya temple in Guatemala’s Tikal National Park. Known as the Temple of the Great Jaguar, it was constructed around A.D. 732.
Graphic design student Joey Morrin joins Curt E. Vander Vere, assistant professor of mathematics, left, and D. Robert Cooley, associate professor of anthropology/environmental science, in front of a Maya temple in Guatemala’s Tikal National Park. Known as the Temple of the Great Jaguar, it was constructed around A.D. 732.
The Penn College group visits ancient sites.
The Penn College group visits ancient sites.

From the Fall 2020 Penn College Magazine: Joey Morrin knew he’d someday find his way to his homeland. He was surprised that it found him through a study abroad opportunity at Penn College. Read “Self-Study.”

Faculty & Staff General Information Students

Celebratory remarks illuminate impactful life

Veronica Muzic life celebration

At last month’s Penn College remembrance of Veronica M. Muzic, four main speakers shared personal and professional memories of a legendary leader, friend and mentor. A number of people couldn’t attend because of summer schedules and competing commitments; still others were seated in the back and said they didn’t quite catch every word. For them – and for those who never met the longtime educator and administrator, but are harvesting her benefaction and deserve to know its roots – PCToday presents this archival roundup of the day’s candid recollections.

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Automated Manufacturing & Machining Collision Repair & Restoration Corporate Relations Faculty & Staff General Information Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies Plastics & Polymer Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies Welding Workforce Development

College among regional assets touted for industrial visitors

Biddle leads visitors through the Thermoforming Center of Excellence.
Biddle leads visitors through the Thermoforming Center of Excellence.

Site selectors for business and industry, who arrived in Williamsport late last week for a four-day assessment of the region’s educational, health care and recreational attributes, visited Penn College on Monday. Led by a contingent of campus leaders, the guests toured plastics, automated manufacturing, welding, collision repair and automotive restoration labs, and enjoyed lunch at Le Jeune Chef Restaurant. Eyewitness News’ Morgan Parrish was among those accompanying the group, and – in a piece that led the evening’s 5:30 newscasts on WBRE/WYOU – interviewed Michael Quint, managing director at Newmark Knight Frank; Jared Grissinger, project manager for the Governor’s Action Team; and Jason Fink, president/CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, for their perspective. Also included in the broadcast was footage of Elizabeth A. Biddle, director of corporate relations; David R. Cotner, dean of industrial, computing and engineering technologies; Shannon M. Munro, vice president for workforce development; and Spencer L. Cotner, of Muncy, a plastics and polymer engineering technology major and research assistant at the college’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center. The visit, which began at the Little League Baseball World Series over the weekend, concludes with Tuesday stops at UPMC Susquehanna and Lycoming College.

Events Faculty & Staff General Information Sports Students

On-campus statue honors longtime Little League connection

Onlookers line the Hagan Way entrance (clearly marked as Wildcat turf) for the big reveal.
Onlookers line the Hagan Way entrance (clearly marked as Wildcat turf) for the big reveal.
President Gilmour thanks the college employees who found a campus home for the sculpture, noting their involvement embodies the teamwork ethos of Little League.
President Gilmour thanks the college employees who found a campus home for the sculpture, noting their involvement embodies the teamwork ethos of Little League.
Student-athletes lift the covering, stitched together in Penn College's signature blue and gray, to bring the "Bases Loaded" outfielder to daylight.
Student-athletes lift the covering, stitched together in Penn College’s signature blue and gray, to bring the “Bases Loaded” outfielder to daylight.
The president joins the student-athletes alongside the statue they unveiled. From left are Nathan D. Holt, of Shippensburg; Olivia R. Hemstock, of Northford, Conn.; Max A. Conrad, of Hagerstown, Md.; and Gillian D. Sinnott, of Sykesville, Md.
The president joins the student-athletes alongside the statue they unveiled. From left are Nathan D. Holt, of Shippensburg; Olivia R. Hemstock, of Northford, Conn.; Max A. Conrad, of Hagerstown, Md.; and Gillian D. Sinnott, of Sykesville, Md.
Wildcat pitcher Holt (14) poses with his numerically linked "teammate."
Wildcat pitcher Holt (14) poses with his numerically linked “teammate.”

A bronze sculpture of a left fielder, the latest installation in the communitywide “Bases Loaded” project, was unveiled in a brief ceremony near Penn College’s main entrance Friday morning. Wearing No. 14, in commemoration of the institution’s 1914 founding, the player stands at the northeast corner of the turning circle outside the Student & Administrative Services Center. “Our connection to the Little League program is one we’re very proud of,” said President Davie Jane Gilmour, a member and former chair of the Little League International Board of Directors. Fresh from a college picnic for Little League Baseball World Series participants prior to Wednesday’s Grand Slam Parade, Gilmour noted that the eyes of the world are on Williamsport … and the statue “brings a little piece of that world to our campus.” Wildcat baseball and softball players joined in the unveiling, which was attended by a number of Wildcat student-athletes, coaches and administrators, as well as college employees. In addition to the president, speakers were Jason Fink, president and CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce; and Amy J. Brooks, of Susquehanna Trailways, who chairs the Chamber’s Visitors Bureau Operating Committee. Other statues – strategically placed to call attention to the area’s abundant attractions – are at Market Square, the Trade & Transit Centre II Plaza, the Original Little League complex, BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, and the UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center campus. The project was launched in 2014 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Little League Baseball and will culminate in 2021 with the 75th anniversary of the Little League Baseball World Series.

Events Faculty & Staff General Information President Sports Students

Little Leaguers enjoy food, fellowship on eve of Series play

The very definition of a "good sport," Penn College Police Officer Jeffrey E. Kriner makes a fashion statement in a photo op with Mexico players from Guadalupe, Nuevo León. "Making a child smile takes little effort," Kriner explained, "but leaves a lifetime of memories."

LLWS logoWith convenient proximity to the start of Wednesday’s Grand Slam Parade route, and historic community ties to Little League Baseball, Pennsylvania College of Technology warmly welcomed visitors to the 73rd annual Little League Baseball World Series (Aug. 15-25). For the 11th year, the college hosted a Wednesday picnic for players, coaches, team “uncles,” umpires and officials outside the Bush Campus Center; students and employees also participated in the evening’s parade through Williamsport, for which five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson served as grand marshal.

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Corporate Relations General Information Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies STEM Welding

Penn College’s lab expansion to facilitate laser welding

A partnership between Pennsylvania College of Technology and Laserline Inc. is instrumental to the addition of laser welding to the curriculum of the welding and metal fabrication program at the college.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s expanded welding instructional facility will include laser welding, thanks in part to a partnership with Laserline Inc.

The manufacturer of high-power industrial diode lasers for metals processing and other applications is entrusting a 2 kilowatt laser power source to the college, which will facilitate an operational laser cell for students.

“We are grateful for the Laserline partnership, which is instrumental in the college’s effort to add laser welding to the curriculum,” said David R. Cotner, dean of Penn College’s School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies. “Laser welding is growing, so we want to provide hands-on experience with the technology for our students. We have a long history of adapting to the needs of industry, and this is the latest example.”

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General Information Sports

Series-bound softball team rides in style

LLSWS logoA Wildcat sendoffA Penn College-branded bus, one of two in the fleet of Susquehanna Trailways – a generous supporter of Wildcat Athletics – transported the South Williamsport Little League softball team to the Williamsport Regional Airport this past weekend for its flight to Portland, Oregon. The 12-year-olds meet Asia-Pacific there on Wednesday in the first game of the Little League Softball World Series.
Photo provided