News about President

NCAA Highlights College President’s LLB Leadership Role

President Gilmour addresses the crowd at the 2013 Little League Baseball World Series, her first as board chair.

An article in NCAA Champion magazine marks the recent conclusion of Davie Jane Gilmour’s tenure as chair of the Little League International Board of Directors, sharing memories and milestones from the Penn College president’s five-year term at the organization’s helm. Included in the piece, headlined “College president fulfills big leadership role in Little League Baseball,” are tidbits both humorous (self-deprecation about her throwing arm) and insightful (cherished moments handing out medals to the young athletes). “Those are the days that go down as some of my most favorite,” says Gilmour, who will continue as a board member. “Being around the players has always been the most moving thing for me.” In addition to her ongoing LLB role, she is vice chair of President’s Council for the North Eastern Athletic Conference and will assume the council chair in July 2019.

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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Inaugural Scholarship Luncheon Celebrates Generosity

Cameron T. Powers, recipient of the Robert and Patricia Shoff Rambo Scholarship, enjoys a moment with her donor, Patricia Rambo, a retired professor and 1994 Master Teacher honoree.

A celebration of generosity unfolded Sunday afternoon at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s inaugural Scholarship Luncheon. Held in the Field House, the event hosted scholarship donors, student recipients and their families.

Offering a welcome to the guests, Kyle A. Smith, executive director of the Penn College Foundation, thanked donors for their belief and commitment to Penn College’s mission of serving students. In her opening remarks, President Davie Jane Gilmour said, “Your philanthropic commitment provides motivation needed for students to remain focused on their coursework, complete their educational journey and begin a new journey as tomorrow makers in their communities and chosen fields.”

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President Presents to Senate Appropriations Committee

President Gilmour testifies before the Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee in this screen capture from Tuesday's live video feed on PCN.

Pennsylvania College of Technology President Davie Jane Gilmour testified before the Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday in support of the college’s state appropriation request.

For the first time since its affiliation with Penn State in 1989, Penn College was afforded the opportunity to present directly to the Senate. Previously, the college’s budget request was included as part of the university’s testimony before the Appropriations Committee.

Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2018-19 budget proposal calls for no increase in Penn College’s state appropriation, which at $22.1 million, represents 19.4 percent of the college’s operating budget. Gilmour told committee members the college is requesting an increase of $2 million, which she said would be targeted for additional facilities and equipment support for plastics, nursing and other academic programs.

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Gilmour, Watson Among Region’s ‘Top 100 People’

Paul R. Watson IIPresident Davie Jane GilmourDavie Jane Gilmour, in her 20th year as president of Penn College, and Paul R. Watson II, dean of academic services and college transitions, have been named among the “Top 100 People” in Central Pennsylvania business and economic development. The list, published in the latest issue of Pennsylvania Business Central, additionally includes Steven P. Johnson, president of UPMC Susquehanna, who serves on the Penn College Board of Directors.

New Year Begins at ‘College of Tomorrow-Makers’

Taking “a trip down memory lane” through 20 years of change since her first all-college speech as then-interim president, Davie Jane Gilmour officially ushered in the Spring 2018 semester with a Friday all-college message for faculty and staff: “Do not doubt for a moment that we are a force with which to be reckoned.” Detailing two decades’ worth of growth – in such far-reaching areas as enrollment and retention, facilities, credibility for intercollegiate athletics, and workforce development – she reminded faculty and staff of their vital role in shaping the future. “I am confident history will write that we made a difference,” the president told her morning audience. “That our students were innovative, tenacious and hardworking and made their mark in their careers and in life.”

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Read the 2016-17 Annual Report

On the cover: Pitcher/outfielder Taylor Brooks takes a swing during a game against Lycoming College. Brooks was named to the 2017 North Eastern Athletic Conference first team, while the Wildcats finished second in the North Division and went 1-2 in the conference playoffs.

Read Penn College’s 2016-17 Annual Report, available online and hitting mailboxes soon. The issue features a message from President Davie Jane Gilmour, and stories about the college’s Penn College NOW dual-enrollment program, its foray into NCAA Division III athletics, and the prestigious “Top 10” honor bestowed on a faculty member. Also find reports on the 2016-17 budget, gifts and donations, and college award winners.

Fall Commencement to Be Held Dec. 16 at Community Arts Center

Penn College will hold its Fall 2017 commencement ceremony Dec. 16 at the Community Arts Center.

A commencement ceremony will be held Saturday, Dec. 16, for the nearly 300 Pennsylvania College of Technology students who have petitioned to graduate following the Fall 2017 semester.

The ceremony will start at 11 a.m. in the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St., Williamsport. More than 225 students are expected to march in the proceedings.

The student speaker will be Garrett Davis Corneliussen, of Hickory, North Carolina, who will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in welding and fabrication engineering technology.

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Campus Events Extend Welcome to Students of All Nations

Penn College students Nader M. Alotaibi, of Saudi Arabia; Yousef I. Asiri, of Saudi Arabia; Laurent P. Maehr, of Austria; and Majid A. Alamri, of Oman, gather in front of flags that are part of a permanent display in the college’s Bush Campus Center. The flag display, the makeup of which will change to reflect the student population, is designed to recognize the international students among the college’s scholars.

In an act of welcoming, Pennsylvania College of Technology recently dedicated a display of international flags that represent the home countries of its students.

Hung in the Bush Campus Center, the flags will change as the student population changes. The initial display includes the flags of 10 nations: Austria, Canada, Germany, Ghana, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Venezuela, Iran and South Korea. A total of 40 students from those nations are enrolled at the college in Fall 2017. International students have received education at the college since at least 1944.

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Welding Lab Horrifyingly Reborn in ‘Arc’ of Triumph

Wail to the chief! A perennial good sport for student-focused activities, college President Davie Jane Gilmour elicits kindly shudders during a midterm "makeup" exam.

Arms linked in solidarity, an entourage recoils at a jump scare.

Benevolent bloodletting is the order of the night, as an all-in-fun trail of terrors snakes through the welding lab.

Brewing up their special brand of sorcery, witches add to the seasonal chill.

Two of the attraction's frightful sights help attendees face their fears.

“Arc Asylum 3.0,” the American Welding Society student chapter’s third annual house of horrors, filled everyday instructional space with extraordinary shrieks and nervous laughter. Amid the dark hideaways and creepy corners of the lab (Room A136 of the Avco-Lycoming Metal Trades Center) – and including some top-tier talent in their gallery of ghouls – the Penn College students again took full advantage of the layout’s macabre potential. “Everyone involved did a fantastic job in pulling the event off without a hitch. Dr. Gilmour volunteered to help work the haunted house, dressed in a great costume including all the touches like fake blood and a face-peeling zipper effect,” welding instructor Jacob B. Holland said. “Our AWS chapter raised a significant amount of money, since we increased our attendance by 50 percent over last year. There were a lot of happy customers that loved the scares we were able to provide them. We look forward to attempting to be even bigger and better next year!” A portion of the proceeds were donated to the Out of the Darkness Walk for suicide prevention, and contributions were accepted for The Cupboard campus food pantry.
Photos by Tia G. La, student photographer

Homecoming and Parent & Family Weekend – 2017

Sharing a rock-solid sentiment

Penn College’s second annual Homecoming and Parent & Family Weekend had a little something for everyone – and a whole lotta something for those getting reacquainted with their favorite students and/or former classmates! A packed weekend schedule of celebratory activities included a bonfire and paint party, the Athletics Hall of Fame banquet, outlets for artistic expression, informative visits from graduates, guided tours, soccer matches, an alumni golf tournament, a picnic brunch with President Davie Jane Gilmour, musical entertainment, and an Oktoberfest that included a reunion of past Resident Assistants.

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New Majors Add to Campus Energy for Penn College Open House

The Madigan Library (left) and Bush Campus Center are hubs of activity at Penn College, where an Open House event is scheduled for Saturday, March 24.

Fall Open House at Pennsylvania College of Technology returns Sunday, Oct. 29, with a public invitation to experience a fascinating array of opportunities.

“We are all really excited about our upcoming fall Open House,” said Claire Z. Biggs, coordinator of admissions events/services. “This is such a great day on campus for our prospective students and their families to get a true taste of what Penn College has to offer.”

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., attendees can learn more about 100-plus bachelor’s, associate and certificate programs when they visit the college’s main campus and the nearby Lumley Aviation and Schneebeli Earth Science centers. Free shuttles will traverse main campus, and buses will transport visitors to and from the other locations throughout the day.

“Open House is one of those days where the entire campus community – faculty, staff and students – come together to show our pride for Penn College,” Biggs added. “We can’t wait to share our excitement with all of our guests this October!”

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Penn College President Proclaims Week of Welcoming

From left, students Jan J. Bruegmann, of Germany; Laurent P. Mahr, of Austria; Yousef I. Asiri, Abdullah A. Albish and Mohammed A. Alhussain, all of Saudi Arabia; Rene Ramirez, of Venezuela; and Po-Ju Sung, of Taiwan, gather to celebrate the kickoff of Welcoming Week at Penn College, sharing what they love about the campus and the community.

Pennsylvania College of Technology kicked off its celebration of Welcoming Week (Sept. 15-24) with an official proclamation from President Davie Jane Gilmour.

“Penn College’s success depends on ensuring that all students feel welcome,” the proclamation reads.

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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)

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 |

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