Sixteen design projects created by graphic design students at Pennsylvania College of Technology have been honored in the national Flux Student Design Competition.
“This is, by far, the best showing we’ve ever had in this contest,” said Nicholas L. Stephenson, instructor of graphic design at Penn College. “Additionally, we are listed as winners among some of the best design schools in the country.”
Get an insider’s look at Penn College’s graphic design program through an engaging video created and edited by Luke A. Bierly, a 2019 alumnus of the major.
“A graphic designer isn’t just somebody who’s solid in art, or can draw, or can build websites,” instructor Nicholas L. Stephenson says in the three-minute piece, which has been added to the college YouTube channel. “A graphic designer has to be somebody who understands solving problems and about coming up with ideas.
“I’m enormously proud of what the students have done here,” the faculty member adds. “I’m constantly humbled by the incredible work and the incredible understanding of design, and ability to produce really good graphic design.”
Pennsylvania College of Technology students and instructors will again add their talents to the offerings at a popular fundraiser designed to help feed the hungry in our community.
The Pennsylvania Association for Infant Mental Health’s Central Region members held a networking breakfast on Friday in Penn College’s early childhood education lab. A highlight of the gathering was the presentation, “Sensory Processing: Separating Fact From Fiction,” delivered by Elizabeth A. Dixon, clinical director of the college’s occupational therapy assistant program. Dedicated to supporting children under 5 and their families, the PA-AIMH Central Region’s membership comprises about 45 clinicians and practitioners from a wide range of early childhood organizations. Friday’s networking opportunity, the association’s largest event so far, was organized by PA-AIMH regional board members Jillian T. Scanlon, instructor of education and early childhood education at Penn College, and Shashi DeHaan, mental health coordinator for SUMMIT Early Learning, Mifflinburg.
Penn College’s inspiring majors made their customary splash throughout the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg (Jan. 4-11), as a rotating regiment of subject experts satisfied each day’s crowds – intellectually and nutritionally – at the nation’s largest indoor agricultural expo. In addition to the photo gallery below, the college’s involvement was covered by the Pennsylvania Cable Network and the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, which featured the schools of Nursing & Health Sciences and Business & Hospitality in its editions.
A New Year’s tradition – Pennsylvania College of Technology’s eye-opening participation in the nation’s largest indoor agricultural attraction – is about to be renewed.
Knowledgeable students and employees will busily represent the college at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, and personify the event’s 2019 theme of “Imagine the Opportunities.”
“We always look forward to showcasing the excitement of our academic programs. This is a great opportunity to introduce Farm Show visitors to the opportunities a Penn College degree provides,” said Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management/associate provost. “With so many visitors from across the commonwealth, we also enjoy connecting with our alumni attending the event.”
Pennsylvania College of Technology’s brewing and fermentation science instructor joined three other academic colleagues in delivering a talk at the three-day Master Brewers Conference, held recently in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Timothy L. Yarrington presented “Brewing Education and Industry: Evolving Together” along with Katie Fromuth, fermentation science and technology lab manager, Colorado State University; Kaylyn Kirkpatrick, brewing extension associate, Cornell University; and Peter Johnston-Berresford, brewing instructor, Olds College, Alberta.
Over 500 students and more than 500 ceramic tiles in the making, another stunning example of Penn College art is complete and ready for rave reviews and views. Adorning a wall in the north stairwell of the Bush Campus Center, the ceramics sensation was started in Fall 2013 by David A. Stabley, instructor of ceramics and wood sculpture, after he received permission from administration. “It was my idea to have students make something to leave behind as part of a permanent art piece,” Stabley said. “It’s an interesting idea of working on a group project over such a long period of time. And it’s nice to decorate a plain stairwell area to give it some life!” With the help of two Ceramics III students – Amber Kreitzer, of Port Trevorton, and Natascha G. Santaella, of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – Stabley recently placed the finishing touches on the CC stairwell project: ceramic triangles topping the tile wall. Kreitzer and Santaella earned associate degrees in baking and pastry arts in 2018 and will graduate this month with Bachelor of Science degrees in applied management. Stabley and smaller groups of students have installed the Centennial Mosaic on a wall of the Physician Assistant Center and mosaics in Capitol Eatery. The artist has also crafted solo mosaics in the atrium of the Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center and on an exterior wall of the Hager Lifelong Education Center. Stabley’s inspiring artwork can also be found in downtown Williamsport.
The artistry of 12 Pennsylvania College of Technology students and a professor is gracing the new office and gallery space of Lycoming Arts, 46 W. Fourth St.
As part of a Wood Sculpture art elective, the class crafted masks, inspired by a study of African masks. Each mask was hand-carved with chisels, mallets and rasps, and the students were encouraged to experiment with shape, color, texture, mixed media additions and other design elements.
The handiwork of 12 Penn College students in a Wood Sculpture (ART142) class will be on display for First Friday, Nov. 1, in downtown Williamsport. The wooden masks will be showcased through early December at the new office and gallery space of Lycoming Arts, 46 W. Fourth St., next to Alabaster Coffee Roaster & Tea Co. The students’ instructor, David A. Stabley, engages his class in an exploration of traditional African masks as part of idea development. This is the second time that such an exhibit has graced the downtown arts scene; last year, the masks were displayed in the Community Arts Center. Lycoming Arts is an organization advocating for the arts in Lycoming County.
David E. Bjorkman, instructor of emergency management/social science at Penn College, was a recent guest on the Keystone Emergency Management Association’s podcast. Bjorkman serves as secretary for the association, which is holding its second annual Emergency Preparedness Conference through Tuesday at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona. In a 10-minute interview with co-hosts Paul Falavolito and Amy Amer, the faculty member provided an overview of the college’s four-year emergency management technology degree – career opportunities, the realistic disaster simulations in which students participate, the overwhelming acceptance by veteran first responders to this “new generation” of emergency personnel and the college’s participation with KEMA’s mentorship committee.
Photo provided
Alumna Kate Stepnick returned to campus Wednesday, sharing her circuitous journey from graduate to a rewarding position as camp director at an area facility for children with special needs.
“I absolutely loved being at Penn College and believe that my education prepared me for every single job that I have had over the last 12 years,” she told faculty prior to her visit. “It took me some time to find my passion, but I know that going into human services was the right career path for me.”
Mirroring trends in the field of human services, Pennsylvania College of Technology has expanded its human services major to include significant emphasis on restorative justice. The major’s new name – human services and restorative justice – took effect this semester.
“This revision reflects changes in the field and represents our commitment to providing the most up-to-date, relevant and marketable degrees for our students,” said Craig A. Miller, department head of social services and humanities and associate professor of history/political science.
Thursday’s Soup for the Soul event, at which 90 people were warmly served chicken tortilla or cheddar broccoli soup in handcrafted bowls (created and donated by students in David A. and Deborah L. Stabley’s ceramic classes, as well as General Services’ Gary T. Pandolfi), benefited the Penn College’s food pantry. The $8 donation on behalf of The Cupboard, located near the CC Commons site of the fundraising lunch, also included roll, dessert and a beverage. During the meal, Institutional Advancement kicked off its “Paw It Forward” campaign to aid The Cupboard. Donations during the next month will be recognized with paw prints to be displayed in the Keystone Dining Room.
Photos by Amy S. Lingg, Dining Services’ marketing assistant
National gold and silver awards have been bestowed on two graphic design alumni for work they created as students at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
The American Advertising Federation awarded a National Student Gold Award to Brandon M. Wolff for his “Trailblaze Chocolate Co. Packaging” and a National Student Silver Award to Jared D. Kosko for his “Rue Morgue Brewing Co. Packaging.” In the design industry, the awards are referred to as ADDYs.