Collegial campus officially says, 'Welcome!'

Published 08.18.2019

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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.


– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor;
Tim Wegman, student photographer;
Jennifer A. Cline, writer/magazine editor;
and Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday




 A stuffed animal is among the “creature comforts” handled with care by Resident Assistants (from left) Joseph “Joey” C. Suto, Tucker L. Burner and Elias D. Ritter.

A stuffed animal is among the “creature comforts” handled with care by Resident Assistants (from left) Joseph “Joey” C. Suto, Tucker L. Burner and Elias D. Ritter.

Cheers to much-needed refreshment! Natalie K. Lincalis (left), a summer conference assistant and graphic design student, enjoys a respite with Bambi A. Hawkins, EMS/paramedic learning laboratory coordinator.

Cheers to much-needed refreshment! Natalie K. Lincalis (left), a summer conference assistant and graphic design student, enjoys a respite with Bambi A. Hawkins, EMS/paramedic learning laboratory coordinator.

Guarding the doors to Dauphin are friendly student-athletes (from left): MacKenzie L. Mahler, Coryn A. Oswald, Daniel J. Bergeron and Sami K. Boucher.

Guarding the doors to Dauphin are friendly student-athletes (from left): MacKenzie L. Mahler, Coryn A. Oswald, Daniel J. Bergeron and Sami K. Boucher.

Daughter and mother: Faith N. Myers, pre-nursing, traveled to campus from Bridgeport with Mom Sandra.

Daughter and mother: Faith N. Myers, pre-nursing, traveled to campus from Bridgeport with Mom Sandra.

Move-in volunteers represent a range of majors (from left): Derek P. August, information technology: network specialist concentration; Brandon T. Hostetlar, building construction technology; Daniel T. Wright, engineering design technology; and Christopher D. Hogan, welding and fabrication engineering technology.

Move-in volunteers represent a range of majors (from left): Derek P. August, information technology: network specialist concentration; Brandon T. Hostetlar, building construction technology; Daniel T. Wright, engineering design technology; and Christopher D. Hogan, welding and fabrication engineering technology.

Brothers of the blue bin brigade! Phi Mu Delta fraternity members put their service values to work.

Brothers of the blue bin brigade! Phi Mu Delta fraternity members put their service values to work.

Coach MIller, who doubles as assistant director of corporate relations, leaves no doubt that Welcome Weekend is proceeding as planned.

Coach MIller, who doubles as assistant director of corporate relations, leaves no doubt that Welcome Weekend is proceeding as planned.

Family joy on move-in day for Rodrigo Barrios-Piedra, building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration.

Family joy on move-in day for Rodrigo Barrios-Piedra, building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration.

Traffic control straight from the top: With a wave and a smile to a volunteer up the line, the president greenlights the next vehicle for unloading (with backup from Penn College Police Officer Adam J. Haffley).

Traffic control straight from the top: With a wave and a smile to a volunteer up the line, the president greenlights the next vehicle for unloading (with backup from Penn College Police Officer Adam J. Haffley).

A sea of blue bins awaits the day's portable accumulation of items from home.

A sea of blue bins awaits the day's portable accumulation of items from home.

Bicycle registration at Dauphin Hall's bike storage room is facilitated by Jarred J. “J.J.” Jones (in yellow shirt), of Shamokin, an applied management student who previously earned a degree in automotive technology.

Bicycle registration at Dauphin Hall's bike storage room is facilitated by Jarred J. “J.J.” Jones (in yellow shirt), of Shamokin, an applied management student who previously earned a degree in automotive technology.

Green and serene, campus beauty provides a reminder that not all is hustle-bustle.

Green and serene, campus beauty provides a reminder that not all is hustle-bustle.

Rolling and toting supplies, family and volunteers move to all corners of Rose Street Commons.

Rolling and toting supplies, family and volunteers move to all corners of Rose Street Commons.

The neck bone's connected to the head bone ... and this intriguing decoration (complete with Penn College lanyard) is attached to a cyber security major.

The neck bone's connected to the head bone ... and this intriguing decoration (complete with Penn College lanyard) is attached to a cyber security major.

By 10:30 a.m. Saturday, blue skies emerged (along with rising heat and humidity), but helping hands made the immense task a little lighter ... though not much cooler.

By 10:30 a.m. Saturday, blue skies emerged (along with rising heat and humidity), but helping hands made the immense task a little lighter ... though not much cooler.

Construction cone-turned-megaphone: Zarek L. Price shouts directions (and a hearty Penn College welcome). Price, of Port Allegany, is enrolled in building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration.

Construction cone-turned-megaphone: Zarek L. Price shouts directions (and a hearty Penn College welcome). Price, of Port Allegany, is enrolled in building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration.

A friend’s peace signs and the brilliance of a new semester are reflected in the glasses of RA Christine A. Limbert.

A friend’s peace signs and the brilliance of a new semester are reflected in the glasses of RA Christine A. Limbert.

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.

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.

A beautiful display of summer's bounty – colorfully created by Mark J. Leo, director of dining services – greets families at the picnic tents.

A beautiful display of summer's bounty – colorfully created by Mark J. Leo, director of dining services – greets families at the picnic tents.

Cupcakes to feed the masses!

Cupcakes to feed the masses!

Making a memory with Mom. After moving into his room, Taylor J. Elliott and his mother enjoy a photo op at the floral frame near College Avenue Labs. Elliott, from State College, is enrolled in welding technology.

Making a memory with Mom. After moving into his room, Taylor J. Elliott and his mother enjoy a photo op at the floral frame near College Avenue Labs. Elliott, from State College, is enrolled in welding technology.

A group of student veterans in the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies share stories over Sunday breakfast.

A group of student veterans in the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies share stories over Sunday breakfast.

During a casual breakfast before the Veterans Success Program’s informational sessions, student Matthew R. Pondel, a first-year student in surveying technology, talks with Gina M. Peluzzo, a senior in civil engineering technology and a veterans services assistant.

During a casual breakfast before the Veterans Success Program’s informational sessions, student Matthew R. Pondel, a first-year student in surveying technology, talks with Gina M. Peluzzo, a senior in civil engineering technology and a veterans services assistant.

President Gilmour (center) greets new students in the School of Nursing & Health Sciences on Sunday. With her are Sandra L. Richmond (left), dean of the school, and pre-dental hygiene student Ashley N. Thoirs-Lawrence.

President Gilmour (center) greets new students in the School of Nursing & Health Sciences on Sunday. With her are Sandra L. Richmond (left), dean of the school, and pre-dental hygiene student Ashley N. Thoirs-Lawrence.

Chet Beaver, coordinator of veterans and military services, welcomes students who are actively serving in or veterans of the military, to a Sunday “Veterans Success Program” that included communing over breakfast and lunch with information sessions on the transition from military to student and benefits provided by Veterans Affairs, the college and the community.

Chet Beaver, coordinator of veterans and military services, welcomes students who are actively serving in or veterans of the military, to a Sunday “Veterans Success Program” that included communing over breakfast and lunch with information sessions on the transition from military to student and benefits provided by Veterans Affairs, the college and the community.

... some of whom captured the watershed moment on their cellphones.

... some of whom captured the watershed moment on their cellphones.

As dusk falls, a new semester begins.

As dusk falls, a new semester begins.

Lined up on both sides of the courtyard entrance, employees, campus leaders and student-athletes welcome the newest additions to the Penn College family ...

Lined up on both sides of the courtyard entrance, employees, campus leaders and student-athletes welcome the newest additions to the Penn College family ...

Awaiting welcoming remarks under a sky of Wildcat blue

Awaiting welcoming remarks under a sky of Wildcat blue

After new students were led by upperclass counterparts in the alma mater, Elliott Strickland, vice president for student affairs, celebrates the start of their

After new students were led by upperclass counterparts in the alma mater, Elliott Strickland, vice president for student affairs, celebrates the start of their "proud Penn College days." Behind him (from left) are Ferguson, a business administration: marketing concentration student from Williamsport; Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management and associate provost, who offered a statistical snapshot of the 2019 freshmen; and President Gilmour.

Retracing his own course from indifference to involvement, Student Government Association President Patrick C. Ferguson passionately tells new arrivals,

Retracing his own course from indifference to involvement, Student Government Association President Patrick C. Ferguson passionately tells new arrivals, "The future is yours to mold."

The president powerfully draws on one of Stephen Covey's inspirational quotes:

The president powerfully draws on one of Stephen Covey's inspirational quotes: "I am not a product of my circumstances," she told the convocation audience. "I am a product of my decisions."

Hypnotist Eric Mina, a traditional part of semester startup ...

Hypnotist Eric Mina, a traditional part of semester startup ...

Mina, a Penn State psychology alumnus, puts his people skills to work.

Mina, a Penn State psychology alumnus, puts his people skills to work.

... hilariously puts on-stage volunteers through their paces.

... hilariously puts on-stage volunteers through their paces.

From daytime check-in to nighttime

From daytime check-in to nighttime "chuck your inhibitions"

The hypnotist gives first-year students something to talk about long after the start of classes.

The hypnotist gives first-year students something to talk about long after the start of classes.

Spectators rise while the pyrotechnics shine.

Spectators rise while the pyrotechnics shine.

Fireworks illuminate the overhead scene, mocking the earlier threat of a thunderstorm.

Fireworks illuminate the overhead scene, mocking the earlier threat of a thunderstorm.

The Saturday night sky behind Dauphin Hall explodes with a brilliance soon to be replicated in classrooms and labs across campus. Welcome to Penn College!

The Saturday night sky behind Dauphin Hall explodes with a brilliance soon to be replicated in classrooms and labs across campus. Welcome to Penn College!

During a busy volunteer shift of welcoming students and their families on their way to check-in, marketing communications coordinator Sumer A. Beatty fulfills an impromptu photo request outside the Bush Campus Center.

During a busy volunteer shift of welcoming students and their families on their way to check-in, marketing communications coordinator Sumer A. Beatty fulfills an impromptu photo request outside the Bush Campus Center.

Pausing with the Wildcat en route to Monday's 8 a.m. Architectural Computer Aided Drafting class are Resident Assistants Kayla A. Gerhart (left), a residential construction technology: building construction technology concentration major from East Earl, and Christine A. Limbert, of Curwensville, enrolled in architectural technology.

Pausing with the Wildcat en route to Monday's 8 a.m. Architectural Computer Aided Drafting class are Resident Assistants Kayla A. Gerhart (left), a residential construction technology: building construction technology concentration major from East Earl, and Christine A. Limbert, of Curwensville, enrolled in architectural technology.

Students find first-day sustenance at a Wildcat Welcome station outside the Keystone Dining Room, one of four set up across campus by Dining Services and staffed by encouraging college employees. Among those on hand at this oasis were Residence Life coordinators Terrance E. Davis (background) and Blaise E. Marshall, and Counseling Services' Brian J. Schurr.

Students find first-day sustenance at a Wildcat Welcome station outside the Keystone Dining Room, one of four set up across campus by Dining Services and staffed by encouraging college employees. Among those on hand at this oasis were Residence Life coordinators Terrance E. Davis (background) and Blaise E. Marshall, and Counseling Services' Brian J. Schurr.

A student gets his bearings along the path to higher learning.

A student gets his bearings along the path to higher learning.

An A-Team of co-workers from various Student Affairs offices, stationed near the Carl Building Technologies Center, is photographed Monday morning by VP Strickland.

An A-Team of co-workers from various Student Affairs offices, stationed near the Carl Building Technologies Center, is photographed Monday morning by VP Strickland.