News about President

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Jennifer Berrier on Tuesday toured Indiana County’s River Valley STEAM Academy, a workforce development education model that partners with Pennsylvania College of Technology, among others, to prepare students for in-demand careers, including cybersecurity, electrical occupations, and sports medicine and rehabilitative therapy.

“With unemployment at historic lows in Pennsylvania, the tight labor market means that workers have options – which is a wonderful thing. It also means that some employers are struggling to find skilled workers for some of the most in-demand jobs. That’s why investment in Pennsylvania’s workforce is so important to our collective future,” Berrier said. “I applaud the River Valley School District for giving students the opportunity to explore careers and build job skills that are immediately relevant to the workforce needs of today and tomorrow. Pennsylvania as a whole will benefit from the innovative education offered at River Valley’s STEAM Academy.”

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The 2021-22 academic year brought much to celebrate as the Penn College community and its supporters honored the legacy of retired President Davie Jane Gilmour (including closing a $37.2 million fundraising campaign), widened access to meaningful degrees, produced real-world ready grads, and empowered tomorrow makers to broaden their horizons – through competition, travel, internships and more. “I am grateful to the leaders before me and around me,” writes President Michael J. Reed. “Their high expectations and culture of continuous improvement created a solid, progressive foundation that we – alumni, corporate partners, employees, parents, students and friends – continue to strengthen together.” Read more in the 2021-22 Impact Report.

A leadership contingent from Penn State DuBois sweepingly explored Penn College’s main campus on Tuesday, stopping by … walking by … and being greatly impressed by the variety of academic areas and services that give students a full collegiate experience and develop their workforce readiness. Making the visit from the commonwealth campus, about 110 miles west of Williamsport, were: Jungwoo Ryoo, chancellor and chief academic officer; Alex Gasbarre, chief executive officer of Gasbarre Products Inc., a DuBois-based supplier to the powder metallurgy, particulate materials and thermal processing industries; John P. Brennan, director of continuing and community education; and Bradley W. Lashinsky, program director, North Central PA LaunchBox at the DuBois campus.

“Anytime we can learn from one another, and find mutually beneficial opportunities for our students and industry, is a good day,” said President Michael J. Reed, who met Ryoo several weeks ago and bolstered that connection during Tuesday’s visit. “There is much to discuss about our common goals – and ways in which to achieve them – and we welcome the ongoing collaboration.”

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The campus was awhirl with momentum (and momentous events) for Wildcat Weekend, which began Friday afternoon with the inauguration of Michael J. Reed as Penn College’s eighth president and didn’t wind down until Sunday brunch. In between – and represented by this 97-photo gallery that hopscotches its way through the flurry of events – participants took part in a bonfire, the 11th annual Alumni Golf Outing, scads of family fun, the Alumni & Friends Tent Party, tours of academic labs, exploration of the paranormal with the “Godfather of All Ghost Hunters,” men’s and women’s soccer games, food trucks, an open wrestling practice and downtown social, a men’s basketball Blue & White game, and the prestigious Athletics Hall of Fame inductions. Decidedly without flurry was the weather, which offered a beyond-glorious backdrop for celebrating alumni, students and their kin, and anyone who heeds the Wildcat’s roar.

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Evoking the institution’s rich history and committing to serve as an innovative trailblazer for tomorrow, Pennsylvania College of Technology inaugurated Michael J. Reed as its eighth president Friday afternoon at the Community Arts Center.

Reed received Penn College’s presidential medallion from his predecessor, President Emeritus Davie Jane Gilmour, and state Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the board of directors, in front of about 400 attendees, including faculty and staff, students, alumni, industry partners, and visiting college and university delegates.

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Despite being squarely in the theatrical spotlight during his inauguration as the newest leader of Pennsylvania College of Technology, Michael J. Reed was quick to divert that attention and look far beyond his own monumental day.

“The next chapter in our institution’s rich history is not about its president,” he said, “it remains steadfastly focused on students, mission and team. A chapter ignited by our past, inspired by tomorrow and committed to a ‘Future Made by Hand.’ With your invaluable input and support, I look forward to us seizing opportunities and solidifying (our) standing as an innovator, trailblazer and national leader in applied technology education.”

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The symbiotic relationship between Penn State and Pennsylvania College of Technology was front and center on Oct. 4, as the new presidents of both institutions underscored their shared mission during a visit in Williamsport.

President Michael J. Reed welcomed Penn State’s Neeli Bendapudi for a daylong tour of Penn College’s main campus that coincided with the Fall Career Fair and included informal interaction with students, faculty/staff and community leaders/industry partners.

“You clearly have leaders who get it, you really do. You clearly have a team that really enjoys working together. That’s very, very critical,” Bendapudi told college employees during one of her afternoon get-acquainted sessions. “And I love the vision of your president, who said, ‘We are here to put our students in the most competitive position possible for a successful career.’”

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Pennsylvania College of Technology President Michael J. Reed delivered the keynote address Wednesday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly launched River Valley School District’s STEAM (Science, Math, Engineering, the Arts and Math) Academy in Indiana County.

The academy, which is at the school district’s Saltsburg campus, about 35 miles east of Pittsburgh, is a workforce development initiative focusing on meeting the list of Pennsylvania in-demand occupations for high-priority occupations, as well as in-demand career pathways.

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The Legacy Campaign for Penn College – a collective commitment to the future from alumni, corporate partners, employees, parents and friends – generated a record-shattering $37.2 million between fiscal years 2018-22 to boost student success at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

For more than 100 years, Penn College has empowered students to earn an applied technology education – one that leads to success as essential employees in the global marketplace.

Thanks to the overwhelming response to the campaign’s call to action, a new generation of tomorrow makers with real-world experience will fill industry demand to grow a highly skilled workforce.

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An appropriately festive atmosphere pervaded campus on Thursday, as anticipation mounted for that night’s premiere of the Penn College episode of “The College Tour.” Leading up to the initial showing in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium (and its streaming debut on Amazon Prime shortly thereafter) were a variety of games and other activities from one end of campus to the other. Among the attractions were free Penn State Creamery ice cream, snow cones and popcorn; a dunk tank to benefit the Student Leader Legacy Scholarship; and the ever-popular availability of four-legged hugs. The evening’s big moment was preceded by remarks by those involved in the show’s production – including a video welcome from host Alex Boylan – and the episode itself was greeted with bursts of appreciative applause for each of the 10 featured students, some of whom attended with family and fans.

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Following a pandemic hiatus that seemed to last longer than its comparably brief span, Penn College excitedly welcomed visitors Monday to a campus picnic: the leadoff to the diamond anniversary of the Little League Baseball^® World Series (Aug. 17-28). For the 16th time, and the first since 2019, the college hosted a picnic for players, coaches, team hosts and umpires in the middle of campus; students and employees, including new President Michael J. Reed, also participated in an evening Grand Slam Parade into downtown Williamsport. Both events featured a special visit from Mariano “Sandman” Rivera – a record-setting New York Yankees relief pitcher who retired in 2013 – and a crowd-pleasing appearance by a series team representing The Keystone State (from Blair County’s Hollidaysburg Little League).

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Renewing an autumnal rite of passage, Penn College greeted first-year and returning students for the start of the Fall 2022 semester during Welcome Weekend: a three-day (re)introduction to campus life that brings down the curtain on blissful summer and offers up a clean slate of possibility. President Michael J. Reed – marking his own first year – was among a collegewide throng of well-wishers and helping hands as students moved into housing, took part in enlightening and entertaining activities, and forged connections with new friends and college resources. “You’ve all come here with a goal of success,” Reed told students Sunday night, food for thought as the first day of classes drew nigh. “This is your time, and it’s time to get started!”

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In his first all-college address as Pennsylvania College of Technology president, Michael J. Reed reviewed a busy institutional summer and engaged a talented team for continued service to a common goal: placing students in the most competitive position possible for long-term success.

“The expertise on this campus is truly extraordinary, and I will do all I can to listen and learn and lead with our team as we evaluate systems campuswide and make decisions in the best interest of our mission. I will always attempt to build off the strengths of our experts, be transparent and work relentlessly to make continual improvements for our institution,” he said, setting the tone in his remarks. “We have many strengths, opportunities and challenges as we enter Fall 2022, and I strongly believe the best ideas emerge when we work together and multiple points of view are considered.”

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Pennsylvania College of Technology held its Summer 2022 Commencement at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Community Arts Center in downtown Williamsport, a milestone ceremony that marked Michael J. Reed’s first as college president. Aided by another new college administrator (Neslihan “Nesli” Alp, who began her duties Monday as vice president for academic affairs/provost), Reed conferred degrees – including the first master’s-level degrees “in our storied history.” Bryan M. Bilbao, of Old Forge, one of the students in that initial cohort for the Combined Bachelor/Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies, was the student speaker. The 90-minute ceremony also featured a Distinguished Alumni Award to 2002 welding technology grad Richard A. Conrad Jr. and acknowledgement of more than 25 awards to graduating seniors.

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Nine graduating students, including two who missed their May commencement to winningly represent Pennsylvania College of Technology in national competition, were honored Friday night during the Excellence in Student Leadership and Service Awards ceremony.

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