News about Students

Considering a career in information technology? Meet Sandra Gorka, associate professor and department head for IT at Penn College, and get a glimpse of everything from gaming and simulation spaces to hands-on labs dedicated to cyber security, networking, database management and Linux systems. “Whether it’s in organizations, industries, the private sector or just for our entertainment, they all need information technology professionals to help them install, configure and maintain their computing systems, as well as create and maintain new systems that help them get their jobs done,” Gorka says. “All organizations need computing.”

A recent graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s aviation program has been awarded a Helicopter Association International scholarship that provides a tuition waiver for a manufacturer training school and a stipend to offset expenses.

John J. Doherty, of Lebanon, who earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance technology in May, received a first-place Bill Sanderson Aviation Maintenance Technology award from HAI. The scholarship includes passes to next year’s HAI Heli-Expo, to be held March 7-10 in Dallas.

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As if the industrious fulfillment of her proud Pennsylvania College of Technology days isn’t a sufficient bequest, Kate M. Ruggiero punctuated her academic performance with a larger-than-life mic drop: impressively taking the lead in repainting a single-engine Cessna 175C airplane donated to the Lumley Aviation Center eight years ago.

Ruggiero earned an associate degree in aviation technology from Penn College in December, crossing the stage in a COVID-delayed ceremony on May 15, and will move from Easton to Michigan in early July to start a job as an aircraft paint specialist – working on corporate and private jets for Duncan Aviation in Battle Creek.

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The latest crew of Connections Links, Pennsylvania College of Technology’s new-student orientation leaders, are on campus this summer and engaging incoming students virtually.

Connections sessions, designed to guide Penn College students and their families, offer information on academic expectations, campus involvement opportunities and an array of other essential elements for collegiate success. Programming continues to be online in light of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, activities remain inviting and enlightening.

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Thomas E. Ask, industrial design professor, tackles some of the most-asked online questions about this innovative and interdisciplinary career path in an informative video recently added to the college’s YouTube channel. Whether it’s a new product or a fresh twist on an old design, you’ll learn how to bring design ideas to life. “Industrial design is a good major if you’re a creative person that likes to create something from nothing,” he says. “If you like to take your ideas and see them come to fruition, industrial design is good for that.”

More than a half-dozen Pre-College Programs attracted a knowledge-hungry host of teenagers to Penn College’s campuses in recent days, the season opener for high schoolers’ exposure to next-level academics. Campers were engaged and enlightened among the week’s bountiful offerings: Architecture Odyssey, Automotive, Aviation, Engineering, Future Restaurateurs, Health Careers and Information Technology. A second week – inviting more students to test the waters of collegiate opportunity through hands-on learning – will begin July 18.

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A sale of surplus Residence Life items – featuring beds, desks and other used furniture from on-campus housing – will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday in the Rose Street Commons Courtyard. The first hour will be open to employees, students and retirees only; the general public will be admitted at 10 a.m. Transactions will be cash-only, and all items must be removed on the day of the sale. Additional information is available from Judi Barr, senior accountant in Financial Operations, or by consulting the event flyer: Surplus Property Sale

Two Pennsylvania College of Technology students and their professor recently shared their expertise as part of Pennsylvania Prevention Week 2021, which encourages citizens across the commonwealth to recognize the importance of substance abuse prevention as a priority for public health.

In an 18-minute video, students Alexandria M. George and Cydney L. Ginter and faculty member Elizabeth E. Winder discussed “Utilizing the PAYS in Higher Education.” The PAYS (Pennsylvania Youth Survey) is a survey of sixth, eighth, 10th and 12th grade students that gathers insights into young people’s behavior, attitudes and knowledge concerning alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and violence.

“I routinely use this survey to help my students better understand data-driven decision making and to help them understand how to prescribe evidence-based programs based on targeted, community need,” said Winder, assistant professor of human services and restorative justice.

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Public Relations & Marketing at Pennsylvania College of Technology took home gold, bronze and honorable mention recognition in the 2021 CUPPIE Awards sponsored by CUPRAP, College and University Public Relations and Associated Professionals.

The 14th annual CUPPIE Awards featured 357 entries from colleges, universities, agencies and providers of private, specialized and secondary education and accreditation. Penn College was honored for writing, video and magazine production efforts completed between Dec. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2020.

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Pennsylvania College of Technology President Davie Jane Gilmour has made a substantial commitment to the college’s Legacy Campaign for Penn College fundraising effort. The donation will benefit several key scholarship initiatives for students.

Gilmour, who recently announced plans to retire as president on June 30, 2022, is making a six-figure gift that will support the existing Tomorrow Makers Scholarship, as well as two new endowed funds she is creating: the Gilmour Global Experiences Endowment and the Gilmour Student Competition Endowment.

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The First Quality Group of companies, a leader in personal health care products and a longtime corporate partner of Pennsylvania College of Technology, has donated a number of sought-after items to the campus food pantry.

In coordination with the college’s Inclusion Task Force, First Quality contributed feminine hygiene products, diapers and wipes to The Cupboard’s inventory. Operated by Dining Services in the Bush Campus Center and supported solely by community donations, the pantry assists students who are struggling with food insecurities and hygiene needs.

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Following the footsteps of their predecessors, members of the physical therapist assistant Class of 2022 recently visited Trailing Pines Tree Farm in Muncy, where they planted 150 seedlings as part of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership. The certified tree farm is owned by Paul Huffman, a 1987 graduate of Williamsport Area Community College, a forerunner of Penn College. The farm is dedicated to wildlife management and conservation. The college’s physical therapist assistant program’s Class of 2021 (set to graduate in August) has been to the farm twice, and this was the first visit for the Class of 2022. Service learning is part of the physical therapist assistant program’s curriculum, with the goal of fostering altruism – putting patients and others above self – and community involvement.
Photos courtesy of Victoria Hurwitz, director of physical therapist assistant

Twenty-seven Pennsylvania College of Technology students received Innovation Engineering Blue Belt certification following their successful completion of all modules within the Principles of Innovation course at the college.

The course teaches the fundamentals of innovation, emphasizing critical thinking, problem solving and stimuli for effective innovation.

“The class helps you to think more broadly and helps you get closer to the consumer,” said Nolan M. Hickok, an industrial design student from Troy.

“I think it helps you push the boundaries of your mind and what you can create,” added Harrison Wohlfarth, a concrete science technology and applied technology studies student from Midlothian, Virginia, citing rapid research and other techniques that “help you to think about what you can add to an idea and combine ideas that you might not otherwise think to combine.”

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A Pennsylvania College of Technology online video devised to inspire and give thanks during the COVID-19 pandemic has earned a 2021 Telly Award, the world’s largest honor for video and television content across all screens.

The 42nd annual awards recognized the video “Penn College Wildcats give thanks for UPMC Field” with a Bronze Telly in the Non-Broadcast Motivational category. Other Telly recipients in the grouping included The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and The Humane Society of the United States.

The two-minute Penn College video features student-athletes Sloane A. Tressler, of Mill Hall (women’s soccer), and Colton N. Wartman, of Ellicott City, Maryland (men’s soccer); as well as head coaches Tyler S. Mensch (men’s soccer), Christa Matlack (women’s soccer) and Jordan G. Williams (men’s lacrosse).

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Pennsylvania College of Technology has appointed the Presidential Search Committee charged with coordinating the selection of a successor to longtime President Davie Jane Gilmour, who announced recently that she will retire next year.

Gilmour, who has served the college in a variety of roles for 44 years – including the last 23 as its president – announced to the college community on May 13 that she will retire on June 30, 2022.

The 17-member Presidential Search Committee consists of four members of the Penn College Board of Directors, seven faculty members, five administrators and one student.

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