As Penn College faculty find unique ways to teach their students remotely, teachers in the college’s Dunham Children’s Learning Center are keeping their young charges engaged from a distance, too.
“Each day, the teachers are sending an email to families with a suggested activity,” explained Barbara J. Albert, director of the children’s learning center. “The families are sending back photos of the children. The teachers then create a ‘newsletter’ which is shared with the families.”
Continuing Penn College’s conscientious response to the ever-changing coronavirus crisis, the President’s Office has announced a revised plan to close out the Spring 2020 semester – a blueprint that calls for (among a comprehensive list of logistical considerations) resumption of laboratory and clinical instruction on May 4 and combining Spring Commencement with the summer ceremonies on Aug. 8.
The Student Government Association has repudiated “xenophobic comments” made by a student against members of the Asian and Asian American communities, which “directly contradict and demean the values of Pennsylvania College of Technology and misrepresent the Penn College student body.” In passing the resolution introduced by Ethan M. McKenzie, a software development and information management major and senator-at-large for diversity and community engagement, SGA joins President Davie Jane Gilmour in strenuously condemning the recent online remarks. The full text of SGA’s weekend action: SGA resolution
A Pennsylvania College of Technology faculty member is employing his expertise to help protect frontline workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eric K. Albert, associate professor of automated manufacturing and machining, is producing face shields with the college’s Stratasys 3D printers. Following a “recipe” provided by the company, Albert is manufacturing visors containing three mounting points for the insertion of clear plastic material to serve as the shield.
The 2020 class of Penn College’s “Awesome Woman Exemplars” – 31 strong, at a time when strength is a particular virtue – have been recognized in a unique format necessitated by social distancing and inhibited gatherings.
Ordinarily celebrated at a reception also attended by their nominators, this year’s “ceremony” is available on the Office of Student Engagement’s portal page and the Student Life Facebook page (supplemented by a YouTube welcome video from Sammie L. Davis, coordinator of diversity and cultural life).
This year’s theme, continuing a campus tradition begun in March 2006 in conjunction with Women’s History Month, is “Valiant Women of the Vote,” marking the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment’s ratification.
Faculty/staff and students are encouraged to take a few minutes to view the slideshow, accented by inspiring and heartfelt comments from the honorees’ peers and mentors.
President Davie Jane Gilmour has responded to a student’s “disgusting” online communication, strongly calling on the entire campus community to unify against divisive behavior that is wholly incompatible with the college’s values.
WNEP’s Chris Keating spoke remotely Tuesday with Spyke M. Krepshaw, assistant professor of web and interactive media, about the faculty member’s recent offer of website assistance to businesses engaged in e-commerce during the coronavirus crisis.
Levi Schappel, who holds two degrees from Penn College – aviation technology (2012) and aviation maintenance technology (2014) – is among the Lycoming Engines employees interviewed for an eight-page article in the April edition of AOPA Pilot. Schappel supervises production of the high-performance Thunderbolt aircraft engine at Lycoming’s Williamsport plant, a custom manufacturing job that puts into daily practice his hands-on education at the college’s Lumley Aviation Center. “When you go to a race or an airshow and you see how much is demanded of these engines, it’s humbling,” Schappell said. “It makes you focus on doing everything you can to make sure they’re as good as they can possibly be.” The article, shared with permission of the publisher, is provided here: “Made to Order”
Are you involved in a student organization? Do you know an outstanding student, student organization or adviser? Think they deserve recognition for their hard work?
Pennsylvania College of Technology students, guided by a quick-thinking faculty mentor in partnership with the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, are providing a true community service: facilitating online ordering pages for businesses still permitted to operate during the coronavirus pandemic.
Clay County (Florida) Habitat for Humanity welcomed Pennsylvania College of Technology students and advisers earlier this month for a service-oriented alternative spring break. The group volunteered through Collegiate Challenge, which, for more than a quarter-century, has engaged high school and college students in construction of safe and affordable housing throughout the country. The Penn College crew, which undertook a variety of jobs at a property in Green Cove Springs, was led by Sammie L. Davis, coordinator of diversity and student engagement, and Cathy E. Gamez, coordinator for Dauphin Hall. The 16 student members were Sydney M. Camut, Shippensburg, engineering design technology; Matheau A. Davenport, Lewisburg, engineering design technology; Lacey A. Decker, Emporium, pre-dental hygiene; Hunter C. Dubbs, Bendersville, software development and information management; Caleb M. Ely, Springville, engineering design technology; Aleah M. Emlet, Altoona, electronics and computer engineering technology; Dean R. Fulton, Palmyra, business management; Marcie M. Harman, Nescopeck, building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration; James C. Keyser II, Dillsburg, plastics and polymer engineering technology; Jesse D. Laird, Newville, nursing; Natasha Martin, Williamsport, applied management; Alaina M. Murren, Aspers, dental hygiene; Nicholas A. Noll, Lock Haven, plastics and polymer engineering technology; Abbigail I. Royer, McClure, human services; Michael V. Saylor, Gettysburg, residential construction technology and management: building construction technology concentration; and Rose M. Warner, Lawton, business administration: banking and finance concentration.
On Monday afternoon, Pennsylvania College of Technology President Davie Jane Gilmour and Michael J. Reed, vice president for academic affairs/provost, updated students on the institution’s response to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Spring Open House, scheduled for Saturday, March 28, has been canceled, as are general Tuesday/Thursday campus tours through the remainder of the spring semester.
Additional Exploration Days have been scheduled for May 29; June 27; July 8, 15 and 25; and Aug. 10. (The Exploration Day scheduled for April 24 has been canceled.)
Pennsylvania College of Technology has no reported or confirmed cases of COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, the college has extended Spring Break for students by one week, until Monday, March 23.
Students should remain at their permanent residences during this time. There will be no academic-related activities for students on or off campus.
Faculty should plan to report during the week of March 16 at times designated by their academic school dean. For more detailed information, students, faculty and staff should refer to email communications issued March 11 by the college president, provost and vice president for student affairs.
Updates on postponement/cancellation of campus events will follow as the information becomes available.
Please continue to refer to the college’s Coronavirus COVID-19 web page for the latest updates.
The Oxymorons improv troupe recently returned to campus for an espionage-tinged Murder Mystery Dinner in the Mountain Laurel Room of Penn College’s Thompson Professional Development Center. “Leap of Fate,” a fittingly named Student Engagement event held on February’s quadrennial extra day, involved a cadre of cutthroat spies clawing to the pinnacle of their profession. Chef Michael J. Ditchfield and three of his culinary arts technology students (Jacob G. Clarke, of Wilmington, Delaware; Keowa M. Clemens, of York; and Kaitlyn M. June, of Muncy) prepared this year’s winning menu of dishes named for principals in the evening’s shenanigans.