President

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Collegial campus officially says, ‘Welcome!’

Wrestling and Residence Life team members revel in a fun moment with President Davie Jane Gilmour. From left are Dylan R. Gettys (wrestler), Terrance E. Davis, Residence Life upperclassmen area coordinator; Richard E. Shnyder, assistant wrestling coach; Gilmour; Resident Assistant Joseph “Joey” C. Suto; Colin J. Jens (wrestler) and head wrestling coach Jamie R. Miller.

Oppressive heat was no match for Saturday’s impressive help to first-year students, as accessible members of the campus community eased the anxiety and/or excitement of entire collegiate carloads. Anecdotal evidence confirmed a corresponding drop in stress levels with every helping hand, and – as there was ample representation from administration, faculty/staff, alumni, student-athletes and their classmates – that’s a lot of hands! The first day of Welcome Weekend ended with a convocation procession into Rose Street Commons, along with introductory remarks, the return of a favorite hypnotist and fireworks to light the official start of the Fall 2019 semester. Activities continued Sunday, including a special orientation focused on the challenges that veterans and military students may face in their first-year transition to college. And on Monday, students grabbed their schedules, campus maps, a steely dose of confidence … and snacks from Wildcat Welcome stations conveniently located on the road to early morning classes.

Faculty & Staff President

Semester of ‘exploration, cooperation and collaboration’ begins

With the undeniable promise (and inevitable hiccups) of the 2019-20 year front and center on the agenda, Pennsylvania College of Technology President Davie Jane Gilmour met with faculty and staff Thursday morning to chart a confident course for the fall semester. After recapping a typically busy summer – marked by newsworthy accomplishments across the board, some of them record-breaking – she closed with a deliberative strategy for navigating the not-so-smooth path. “We have serious challenges ahead,” the president told her all-college audience in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium, “and we can meet them with a commitment to our mission and to continued exploration, cooperation and collaboration. It will require careful and measured use of our resources. I have full faith that we will respond to the urgency at hand.”

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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."

With 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.

Alumni Events Faculty & Staff President Students

Heartfelt commemoration keeps alive a powerhouse legacy

"I will continue to brag that I am Veronica Muzic's daughter," Laycock proudly admits, adding a special wish for her mother: "I hope Part II of your 'new adventure' is the trip of a lifetime."

A “life celebration” of Veronica M. Muzic, an inspiration to students and colleagues throughout nearly five decades as a faculty member and administrator, was held Saturday in Penn College’s Student & Administrative Services Center. The three-and-a-half-hour gathering attracted a cross-section of those who benefited from Muzic’s no-nonsense counsel and dedicated leadership – family, faculty/staff, former students and community members – and who marked the day with remembrance, reverent and otherwise, sprinkling their anecdotes with laughter and honest tears. Among those offering remarks were Marcianne Muzic Laycock, one of the honoree’s two daughters; niece Lisa Halberstadt, who read “When Great Trees Fall” by Maya Angelou (a March 1987 visitor to Williamsport Area Community College as part of a Women’s Series initiated by Muzic); President Davie Jane Gilmour; and Lynn Hanson, now a professor at Francis Marion University and co-director of the Baruch Institute for South Carolina Studies. The event also included music from a Williamsport Symphony Orchestra quartet and informal tours of “Veronica’s Garden” on the building’s second floor. Muzic, who died June 18 at the age of 82, joined WACC as an English instructor in 1968 and was awarded its first “Master Teacher” award in 1982. She retired as vice president for academic affairs/provost, served part time service as a special assistant to the president and holds emeritus faculty status.

Electrical General Information Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies Nursing & Health Sciences Physician Assistant President Welding

Appropriations boost recognizes college’s vital workforce role

The approved 2019-20 state budget delivers appropriation funding to Pennsylvania College of Technology reflecting its long history of success in producing skilled workers, while leveling the playing field with other publicly funded institutions in the commonwealth, the college’s board chair said Friday.

“Finally, Penn College is being recognized for the invaluable hands-on education and training it provides to students, who become highly skilled members of the workforce – addressing the skills gap that continues to impact industry and hinder the economy,” said Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the college’s Board of Directors. “All we have ever asked for is to be treated with parity in funding with other state institutions. With this budget, we have made real progress.”

Events General Information President

Little League, college hold ‘Send-Off to Cooperstown’ for Mussina

Little League International Board Chair Hugh E. Tanner (right) joins artist Fred Gilmour (left) and Mussina alongside a composite painting.

Little League International and Pennsylvania College of Technology sponsored a lively “Send-Off to Cooperstown” event Tuesday night for Montoursville’s own Mike Mussina, who will take his place among the ranks of baseball immortals next month.

Mussina, who will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 21 for a stellar 18-year pitching career with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees, was honored in a 90-minute session at the Thompson Professional Development Center on the Penn College campus.

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Former provost, ‘Master Teacher,’ innovator dies

Veronica M. Muzic, whose dedicated service as a faculty member and administrator is tightly woven through 50 years of college history, died Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at the age of 82.

Muzic joined Williamsport Area Community College as an English instructor in 1968 and was awarded its first “Master Teacher” award in 1982. In recognition of her years of distinguished service to WACC and Pennsylvania College of Technology, the award was renamed in her honor in 2006.

In nearly four decades of teaching and administrative leadership – culminating in her retirement as vice president for academic affairs/provost, part-time service as a special assistant to the president and designation as faculty emerita – she was a tireless and selfless mentor to students, alumni and colleagues.

“Veronica was an essential piece of the fabric of our college, and she will be forever missed,” President Davie Jane Gilmour said.

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Annual Golf Classic reaches another milestone in student aid

Trick shot performer Chuck “The Hit Man” Hiter dazzles a Williamsport Country Club crowd by maintaining his balance – and his eye on the ball – from a precarious perch.

A visit from “the world’s most sought after golf trick-shot performer” at the Penn College Foundation’s 33rd Annual Golf Classic provided another record-setting year in scholarship support for Pennsylvania College of Technology students.

The June 17 event, featuring Chuck “The Hit Man” Hiter, was the most successful in college history – topping $125,000 in revenue.

Compass Group North America was the title sponsor for the tournament, the net proceeds of which benefit the Penn College Foundation Golf Classic Scholarship. Fisher Mining Co. was the tournament sponsor, and a number of other businesses generously signed on as additional sponsors.

“I always look forward to doing any kind of outing,” said Hiter, who treated players and guests to an exhibition on the Williamsport Country Club’s first tee. “But with what this college does on the vocational side, awarding technical degrees for which there’s definitely a great need, it’s especially a pleasure to support a benefit like this.”

Faculty & Staff General Information President

Crosstown colleges launch pilot program for tuition exchange

Pennsylvania College of Technology President Davie Jane Gilmour and Lycoming College President Kent Trachte sign a tuition exchange agreement at the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce offices.

The presidents of Pennsylvania College of Technology and Lycoming College signed an agreement Thursday to explore a tuition exchange program benefiting the dependent children of full-time employees at both city institutions.

In a ceremony at the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour and Lycoming College President Kent Trachte signed a memorandum of understanding establishing the terms of the program, which begins this fall.

Alumni Business & Hospitality Construction & Design Technologies Events Faculty & Staff Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies Nursing & Health Sciences President Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications Sports Students Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies

And they’re off: 900+ job-ready examples of Penn College Pride!

Abigail S. Way, graduating with a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene: health policy and administration concentration, has a smile as bright as her future.

Pennsylvania College of Technology held the Triple Crown of commencement ceremonies May 17-18 for more than 900 students who petitioned to graduate following the Spring 2019 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 Hannah G. Maize, of Riverside, who received a bachelor’s degree in plastics and polymer engineering technology (summa cum laude) on Friday; Lauren S. Herr, of Lititz, awarded a bachelor’s in construction management (summa cum laude) at Saturday morning’s session; and David A. Gadalla, of Mechanicsburg, who received a bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance technology in the weekend’s final ceremony. The college also bestowed three teaching honors – the Veronica M. Muzic Master Teacher Award and two Excellence in Teaching Awards – as well as three alumni awards.

Faculty & Staff President

President’s tribute to employees closes ‘incredible year’

Ending the spring semester with a Thursday morning message to faculty and staff, President Davie Jane Gilmour celebrated superhero-caliber employees who regularly and selflessly fight the good fight on behalf of Pennsylvania College of Technology students’ success. Her address also recapped accomplishments during 2018-19 and anticipated the opportunities to come: “We have had an incredible year. Student and faculty success. Expanding welding, opening in Wellsboro, the turf field,” she said. “Most importantly, we have changed lives – we have contributed to the growth of our community and our students. We have helped each other when necessary and made everyday efforts on behalf of Penn College.”

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Tournament-bound archer gets her shot at graduation

A graduation ceremony was held Wednesday morning for Rylee A. Butler, a member of the Penn College archery team who is unable to attend commencement exercises due to this weekend’s U.S. National Outdoor Collegiate Championships in Ohio. President Davie Jane Gilmour presented the diploma to Butler, who earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering design technology, during a brief gathering in the Student & Administrative Services Center. The building’s lobby was filled with family and other well-wishers, including faculty from the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies; as well as representatives of the Athletics Department, Academic Affairs, and the Admissions, Registrar and Financial Aid offices. In addition to her degree, Butler is receiving the Academic Vice President and Provost’s Award and the Engineering Design Technology Faculty Award; she also was recently inducted into the college’s new Chi Alpha Sigma honor society for student-athletes. Spring graduation often coincides with postseason play and, in recent years, the president has taken road trips to present diplomas so Wildcats didn’t have to choose between commencement and competition.

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Penn College dedicates Wellsboro instructional facility

Gathered during dedication ceremonies for the new Penn College at Wellsboro facility are (from left) Steven P. Johnson, president of UPMC Susquehanna; Davie Jane Gilmour, president of Pennsylvania College of Technology; state Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the Penn College Board of Directors; and Janie Hilfiger, president, UPMC Susquehanna Soldiers + Sailors and UPMC Cole.

WELLSBORO – A facility gifted to Pennsylvania College of Technology by UPMC Susquehanna is serving a new purpose as a site for instruction in practical nursing, medical assistant and other health care careers, as well as customized training for business and industry.

The 8,400-square-foot Penn College at Wellsboro facility, located at 22 Walnut St., was formally dedicated today in ceremonies that included members of the Penn College community, representatives of UPMC, elected officials and stakeholders, and others.

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High school juniors awarded $2,100 toward community projects

The 2019 Penn College Youth Leadership Program class stands for an official portrait in the Student & Administrative Services Center.

Student teams from four area high schools will share $2,100 to realize community projects they presented as part of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s ninth annual Youth Leadership Program.

Twenty-nine students graduated May 2 from the initiative, which is designed to educate and motivate students to understand the needs of their communities and to take an active leadership role in addressing them.

Alumni Early Childhood Education Faculty & Staff President Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications Students

Hearts and crafts

Lending a helping hand to little fingers

The Bears pose with their creations and their “assistants” (from left): Neva E. Simcox, group leader; Gilmour; and Marisa J. Dunn, assistant group leader. Dunn, a 2017 early childhood education graduate, is an applied management student.

The Birds soar with excitement, posing with the president. (Photo provided)

Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour visited the Dunham Children’s Learning Center on Tuesday, bringing the requisite supplies for an art project with the facility’s Birds (ages 4 and 5) and Bears (ages 3 and 4). The president helped the youngsters make cute daffodils – fitting, given the ample sunshine of the past two days – and told each child “to give it to someone in your family who you love.”

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