News about Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications

Four Camps Added to College’s Exciting Summer Opportunities

A camper pores through images for a make-believe coffee shop during last summer’s Graphic Design Summer Studio at Penn College.

A record number of Pennsylvania College of Technology summer camps, including four new offerings, will allow adventurous young women and men to explore the hands-on careers represented by the institution’s eclectic “degrees that work.”

Students entering grades nine to 12 at the time of participation are eligible for an annual Summer Camp Scholarship to attend Penn College. The registration deadline for all of the camps, whether day camps or residential, is Friday, June 2.

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Online Learning Options at Penn College Offer Enhanced Flexibility

Penn College offers a beautiful, modern campus in Williamsport, but for students who need the flexibility of online programs, the college provides a variety of options.

Pennsylvania College of Technology is renowned for its “degrees that work,” and for those needing additional flexibility to attain a degree from the college, online options abound.

Online learning at Penn College offers more choices to students who are balancing work and family responsibilities. The offerings feature the same academic rigor and accreditation as on-campus programs, but there is no requirement to ever attend class on the campus in Williamsport. Online students may choose to enroll full time or part time.

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Brittany R. Terpstra Named ‘Student of the Month’

Brittany R. Terpstra

Brittany R. Terpstra, a web and interactive media major from Jim Thorpe, has been chosen as the March “Student of the Month” at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Terpstra, described by her nominator as “putting herself ‘out there’ in a positive light,” has served as the president and marketing coordinator for the Wildcat Events Board. She has also been a Presidential Student Ambassador, a “Link” in the college’s Connections orientation program and a summer event assistant for the Student Activities Office.

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Graphic Design Alumni Advise Students on World of Work

Alumni returning to their graphic design roots are (from left): Bigger, Cosgrove, Januchowski, Hoover, Gray and Chandler.

Stephenson (right) chats up his former students prior to their panel discussion in the Bush Campus Center.

Chandler shares insight into her real-world design experience.

A roomful of future graphic designers listens to Januchowski’s sage advice.

Six recent graduates of Penn College’s graphic design major returned this past weekend to share their wisdom with current students. The alumni are Emily C. Bigger, ’14; Breanne M. Chandler, ’16; Christopher J. Cosgrove, ’13; Brody W. Gray, ’15; Erica M. Hoover, ’15, and Alexa A. Januchowski, ’16. They shared their experiences in the field and job-searching tips. Bigger is a graphic designer at the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Harrisburg; Chandler works as a graphic designer at Avesis Inc., Owings Mills, Maryland; Cosgrove is a web designer with Otreva, Scranton; Gray is senior graphic designer at Sire Advertising Inc., Selinsgrove; Hoover is employed as a graphic designer at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove; and Januchowski is a graphic designer at Design 446, Manasquan, New Jersey. “You won’t appreciate the education you’re getting until you’re out there in the field,” Januchowski said. “At the job interviews I had, they were extremely impressed with the design work that’s being done here and how prepared the graduates are.” In addition to encouraging students to “be aggressive when applying for jobs,” Cosgrove advised, “Always keep learning – design changes rapidly. And stay inspired!” This is the second year for the event, organized by the college’s student chapter of AIGA, a professional association for design, and Nicholas L. Stephenson, instructor of graphic design and adviser to the student AIGA chapter.

Design Students Drafted to Help Brand New Major

Whyman shows her design utilized in an environmental application (on the wall leading to the lab).

Keyser shares her branding ideas with the client committee.

Exceptional student-produced inspirations

Neff discusses logo variations.

Bennett and fellow students also shared the view of their designs on the lab’s exterior windows.

The blending of design and science was evident as graphic design students recently shared their branding campaigns for Penn College’s new brewing and fermentation science degree. As a component of last semester’s Corporate Identity course (ART410) taught by Nicholas L. Stephenson, instructor of graphic design, students developed branding for the new major. The work of four students was selected to be presented to faculty and administrators tasked with launching the brewing and fermentation science degree. Senior graphic design students participating in the presentations were Ainsley R. Bennett, of Montoursville; Morgan N. Keyser, of Dillsburg; Andrea L. Neff, of Trout Run, and Eliza R. Whyman, of Williamsport. “The level of quality and creativity in these presentations was a true inspiration,” said Justin M. Ingram, assistant professor of biology. “Each presentation gave a unique perspective on branding, and the client committee identified aspects from all presentations we would like to incorporate.” The major will begin this fall.

Acclaimed Brewmaster Joins Penn College Faculty

Acclaimed brewmaster Timothy L. Yarrington, of Elk Creek Café + Ale Works in Millheim, will serve as an instructor for the new brewing and fermentation science major launching this fall at Penn College.

In launching its new brewing and fermentation science degree, Pennsylvania College of Technology has enlisted the expertise of acclaimed brewmaster Timothy L. Yarrington.

The Spring Mills resident will serve as an instructor for the new major, which begins in Fall 2017. Yarrington, along with other faculty and administrators in the college’s School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications, is working to establish the industry-standard instructional space, located in the Hager Lifelong Education Center.

Yarrington is recognized in brewing circles as a national award-winning brewer, as well as an expert on brewery construction and operations.

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Children’s Learning Center Receives Keystone Stars Grants

Children who attend the Dunham Children’s Learning Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology select books to take home and call their own during a Book Bingo event at the center. The books are purchased through a Keystone Stars grant.

The Dunham Children’s Learning Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology received $34,600 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Human Services through the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning.

The funding comes in the form of a Keystone Stars Merit Award of $12,675 and a Keystone Stars Education and Retention Award of $21,925.

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When Life Gives You Snow … Turn It Into Art!

Stabley (left) and Easton N. Latranyi, of Danville, a senior in manufacturing engineering technology ...

... strategically place snowballs into eye-pleasing position.

The final creation, topped with decorative twigs, outside the Bush Campus Center

What better way to celebrate the first day of spring than by creating a snow sculpture? That’s what students in two of David A. Stabley’s art electives did Monday in front of the Bush Campus Center. Stabley, instructor of ceramics/wood sculpture, and students in Wood Sculpture and Ceramics II classes got out of the lab and into some creative exploration. Similar to other campus projects crafted by Stabley’s students (usually in fairer weather), their creation was inspired by the environmental art of famed British sculptor Andy Goldsworthy.
Most photos by Grace F. Clark, student photographer

Adjunct Instructor Assists Psychology Publication

Joe S. Miller

Joe S. Miller, an adjunct instructor of sociology and psychology classes at Pennsylvania College of Technology, assisted with supporting materials for the second edition of “Real World Psychology,” published and released recently by Wiley, a global publishing company specializing in academic publishing.

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Get a Jump on Your Future at Penn College’s April 1 Open House

The modern Pennsylvania College of Technology campus will host prospective students and their families for an Open House on Saturday, April 1, during which visitors can explore 100-plus academic majors in a variety of career fields.

For more than 100 years, Pennsylvania College of Technology and its predecessors have tailored their curricular offerings to students’ dreams and employers’ needs. That responsiveness to businesses and their future employees – and the flexibility to foresee tomorrow’s jobs – will be on ample display at the college’s April 1 Open House.

All of the institution’s newest opportunities, as well as the rewarding careers in time-tested fields, will be available to visitors at the college.

“Open House is such a great opportunity for students and their families to experience what makes Penn College such a unique place to learn,” said Claire Z. Biggs, coordinator of admissions events and services. “Through countless activities, prospective students will get an insider’s glimpse of life as a Penn College student.”

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Young Entrepreneur Honored at Chamber Education Celebration

Penn College alumnus John R. Yogodzinski (’07, graphic communications management) is joined by Debra M. Miller, vice president for institutional advancement (left), and Kimberly R. Cassel, director of alumni relations, at the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce Education Celebration.

A young entrepreneur who has created a vibrant marketing company while also playing a role in Williamsport’s emerging arts scene received an Alumni of the Year Award at the 16th annual Education Celebration hosted by the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce on Thursday night at the Williamsport Country Club.

John R. Yogodzinski III, a 2007 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology, was among those honored at the event that recognizes alumni, educators and students nominated by their educational institutions, and celebrates the cooperation among Lycoming County school districts, colleges, and business and industry.

Yogodzinski is CEO of The Graphic Hive and director of Converge Gallery, both in downtown Williamsport. He launched The Graphic Hive in 2009 and the gallery, originally named Grey Art Gallery, in 2011.

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Campus Science Festival Entertains as It Inspires

Prospective members of Penn College's Class of 202? enjoy an educational day out of the classroom and onto an engaging campus.

More than 1,500 fifth-graders from nearly a dozen local and area school districts participated in Thursday’s sixth annual Science Festival at Penn College, gaining hands-on insight into a host of related careers. The youngsters were treated to a variety of captivating campus demonstrations during the day, and families were invited to a Field House full of attractions during the three-hour evening session.

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Adjunct, Alumna Honored with National Cancer Service Award

June Kilgus Zimmerman (second from right) receives the American Cancer Society's Lane W. Adams Quality of Life Award in Atlanta last month.

A longtime adjunct faculty member and college alumna was recently honored with a national American Cancer Society award for her work with cancer patients and their families.

June Kilgus Zimmerman, an oncology social worker at UPMC Susquehanna’s Cancer Center, received the ACS Lane W. Adams Quality of Life Award at a ceremony last month in Atlanta. The prestigious national honor recognizes leadership in serving the complex needs of cancer patients and their families.

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Creative Hands Craft Hearty Gifts

A bevy of bowls await their "big moment" benefiting the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

This bowl features a fish imprint

Beauty meets functionality

More than 120 soup bowls, crafted by Penn College students, have been donated to the Williamsport Soup & a Bowl event, benefiting the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. This is the fifth year the college’s creative hands have added warmth and functionality to this community effort. Set for Friday, Feb. 17, the 11th annual fundraiser will be held at The Genetti Hotel and Suites in downtown Williamsport. With a Mardi Gras theme, the gathering features three seatings (11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.) in addition to a takeout option. Reservations are advised. The bowls being donated by Penn College were created during the 2016 spring and fall semesters by students in Ceramics I classes, a popular elective. The classes are taught by husband-and-wife duo David A. and Deborah L. Stabley, members of the college’s art faculty. The Stableys also manage the Factory Works Clay Studio in Williamsport’s Pajama Factory, and members of that studio created an additional 50 bowls for the Soup & a Bowl event.

Grant Provides Reduced Child Care Fees for Income-Eligible Students

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Dunham Children’s Learning Center received a $103,923 CCAMPIS grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help reduce child care fees for eligible students.

CCAMPIS stands for Child Care Access Means Parents in School. The funding helps the Children’s Learning Center, which provides high-quality child care for the children of Penn College students and employees, to provide discounts to students whose children are enrolled at the center and whose income makes them eligible for federal Pell Grants. Reductions range from 25 to 75 percent off Children’s Learning Center fees, based on a student’s income as reported to the college’s Financial Aid Office.

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