News about President

Sen. Roger Madigan, Longtime Supporter of Penn College, Dies at 88

Roger A. Madigan, in the library that bears his name

Former Sen. Roger A. Madigan, ardent advocate for Pennsylvania College of Technology and a longtime member of the college’s Board of Directors, has died.

Madigan, 88, whose name adorns the Penn College library as a fitting tribute to his passion for education, served on the board from 1991 until his retirement from the state Senate at the end of 2008.

Madigan was elected to the state Senate in 1984 to represent the 23rd District. Previously, he served in the state House of Representatives, representing the 110th District, from 1977-84. Before becoming an elected official, Madigan was a dairy farmer and an insurance underwriter/consultant.

Read more

Sen. Yaw Hosts Government Seminar for Area High School Students

Young leaders from South Williamsport are ready to debate the issues.

A total of 240 students from 16 school districts in Bradford, Lycoming and Union counties converged on Pennsylvania College of Technology’s campus on Thursday to participate in the annual Student Government Seminar hosted by state Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), who also serves as chairman of the Penn College Board of Directors. The seminar gives high school students the opportunity to debate important issues, develop legislation and vote on “mock bills” in an open session.

Read more

Marking Decades of Making a Difference

In one of her first remarks as president of Pennsylvania College of Technology, Davie Jane Gilmour revealed her leadership philosophy by stressing that “people make the difference.” In 20 years at the helm, Gilmour has truly made a difference to the college and surrounding community. A video slideshow of images, which premiered at Thursday’s all-college meeting and has been added to the institution’s YouTube channel, helps commemorate her 20 years as president and 40th anniversary of being a proud Penn College employee.

Spring Commencement: A Mid-May Extravaganza of Emotion

Eyewear for the day, vision for the future

Pennsylvania College of Technology held three commencement ceremonies May 11-12 for more than 900 students who petitioned to graduate following the Spring 2018 semester. The Friday afternoon proceedings at the Community Arts Center honored students from the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies and the School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications. Saturday morning featured The School of Construction & Design Technologies and the School of Health Sciences, while students from the School of Business & Hospitality and the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies graduated during the afternoon session. Student speakers were Hanna Jo Williams, of Marion, New York, awarded a bachelor’s degree in industrial and human factors design and an associate degree in studio arts on Friday; Glendalis Guadarrama, of Avondale, who received a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Saturday morning’s session; and Alexandra M. Lehman, of Williamsport, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration: sport and event management concentration to close out the festive weekend. The college also bestowed three teaching honors – the Veronica M. Muzic Master Teacher Award and two Excellence in Teaching Awards – as well as a pair of alumni awards.

Read more

Last updated May 12, 2018 | Posted in Alumni, Business & Hospitality, Construction & Design Technologies, Events, Faculty & Staff, Health Sciences, Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, Institutional Advancement, President, Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications, Students, Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies | This gallery contains 32 photos. | Tagged as | Leave a comment

Students’ Winning Proposal Calls Attention to Human Trafficking

Hughesville High School students (from left) Lauren Hall, Valerie Ammar-Khodja and Logan Woolcock were awarded $1,791 to realize a planned Race to Freedom in late August.

Acting locally to spotlight a worldwide concern, three Hughesville High School juniors are planning a 5K Race for Freedom this summer to make the community more aware of human trafficking.

The students – Valerie Ammar-Khodja, Lauren Hall and Logan Woolcock – were presented with a $1,791 check during a Penn College Youth Leadership graduation ceremony on May 3. The judges were so impressed by the initiative that it was fully funded as the sole winner of the program’s Social Change Competition.

Read more

President Honors Exemplary Employees, Recaps ‘Incredible Year’

Before closing out the Spring 2018 semester at Penn College with a summary of year-to-date accomplishments, encouraging her audience to take “time to recharge, explore new ideas and new perspectives” over the summer, President Davie Jane Gilmour presided over the morning’s Employee Recognition ceremonies. “We have had an incredible year. Our students have made us proud through their work in the classroom and laboratories; in their cocurricular activities and on the athletic field. Some have distinguished themselves by volunteering in the community and across campus,” she said. “The same applies to faculty and staff. You should feel pride, amazement and excitement to see what our colleagues have accomplished.”

Read more

Anniversary Surprise Celebrates President’s ’20/40′ Landmark

Students' appreciation is embodied in a gift presented by the SGA president.

Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour avows an aversion to surprises, but she received a noteworthy one Thursday while conducting the all-college meeting to end the 2017-18 academic year. As the transition was taking place between the awards presented for Employee Recognition Week and the president’s customary year-ending address, Elliott Strickland, vice president for student affairs, interrupted the proceedings to introduce a special ceremony commemorating Gilmour’s 20th year as president and 40th year as an employee of the college.

Read more

Summit Successfully Apprises Industry of Apprenticeship Assistance

It's a "full house" in Penn's Inn for the summit, sponsored by Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Penn College.

A sold-out crowd of industry leaders and their advocates, representing 66 employers across Pennsylvania and from four other states, attended Thursday’s inaugural Apprenticeship Summit to address substantive progress in narrowing the skills gap in manufacturing. Attendees were welcomed by Pennsylvania College of Technology President Davie Jane Gilmour, who announced three major related developments: the eligibility of mechatronics apprentices to earn 20 credits toward a two-year Penn College degree in the field; establishment of The Apprenticeship Center on campus as a resource for collaborating with state and local partners; and a $576,000 grant from the state Department of Community & Economic Development to fund apprenticeships in mechatronics and computer numerical control occupations, as well as pre-apprenticeship programs for high school students. The keynote speaker was Robert I. Lerman, a professional economist, Urban Institute fellow and expert on apprenticeships whose resume includes a doctorate in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Others on the dais included Lori Renne and Alex Halper, from the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry; Jim Nemeth, of Autoneum; and Eric Ramsay, representing the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. The afternoon session featured an interactive program among participants, designed to provide companies with a convenient opportunity to speak to those involved in all facets of apprenticeship.

Read more

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.'”

Read more

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.”

Read more

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.

Read more

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.”

Read more

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.

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