Celebrating the moment
First of 2014’s Centennial Classes Graduates in Weekend Ceremonies
Pennsylvania College of Technology held three commencement exercises May 16-17 for more than 900 students who petitioned to graduate after Spring 2014 classes. The Friday afternoon ceremony honored students from the School of Business & Hospitality and the School of Construction & Design Technologies. The School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies and the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies were showcased at Saturday morning’s ceremony; students from the School of Health Sciences and the School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications graduated in the afternoon. The student speakers were Lewis Damase Robinson, of Bellefonte, who was awarded a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts and systems and an associate degree in baking and pastry arts Friday; Benjamin Michael Schappell, of Mohrsville, who received a bachelor’s degree in computer aided product design Saturday morning; and Ashley Grace Maietta, of Hughesville, who received an associate degree in nursing Saturday afternoon. The college also bestowed Distinguished Teaching Awards, two alumni awards and three posthumous degrees.
− Photos by Jennifer A. Cline, writer/editor-One College Avenue; Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor; Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer;
Joseph S. Yoder, public information director; and Carlos Ramos, web designer/interactive media strategist
Below banners representing the college’s six schools and a large screen, Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour welcomes the commencement audience.
Graduate groupies locate their star performers from the Community Arts Center loge.
A sweet smile of anticipation …
… while another graduate poses for a photo at the start of the ceremony.
Lewis D. Robinson, Friday’s commencement speaker, gives a hand to his fellow Hospitality graduates and brings a smile to Fred Becker, at left, dean of business and hospitality.
A surprised Peter B. Kruppenbacher, assistant professor of building construction technology, delivers an impromptu speech after receiving an Excellence in Teaching award.
Family paparazzi line up in the loge to capture visual memories.
The tassel of student speaker Lewis D. Robinson gets the presidential treatment in turning.
Veterans among the graduating class were asked to stand and accept applause and appreciation at each ceremony.
Signatures of celebration were many as graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas …
… including triumphant “fist pumps” …
… and delighted expressions.
Assisting the president in presenting the diplomas was Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the college’s Board of Directors.
Mentorship Award recipient Lee D. Michels, ’11, construction management, offers the graduates inspirational advice on continuing service to the college.
The Class of 2014 prepares to exit the Community Arts Center grandeur.
Kruppenbacher receives congratulatory hugs from family members following Friday’s ceremony.
Michels enjoys a hearty laugh with his former dean, Marc E. Bridgens, dean of construction and design technologies.
A family moment captured
Admissions representative Sarah R. Shott, a 2011 graduate, embraces building science and sustainable design graduate Matthew A. Wagner.
Loved ones share the excitement in photos.
A family gathers to capture the celebration.
New grads oblige the photographer.
Technology management grad Crystal L. Butler (who also holds degrees in culinary arts technology and baking and pastry arts), celebrates with Chefs Frank M. Suchwala and Paul E. Mach, assistant professors of hospitality management/culinary arts.
A brand-new grad exits the theater with glee.
During a pause in the procession, Wayne R. Sheppard, assistant professor of construction management and building construction, and students find shelter from the rain.
Friday graduates make their way to the Arts Center under a steady rain.
Baking and pastry arts students apply their decorating skill.
Ready and waiting to head to the Community Arts Center
Capturing a final get-together as students
Grads pause for a photo in the Genetti “staging area.”
Grads capture their photo at the Penn College entrance sign.
Proud friends and family members pose with their grad at the main entrance sign.
Barry A. Fendon celebrates his achievement with a photo at the college’s main entrance sign.
Benjamin D. Aronoff poses at “The Rock.”
Dakota J. Griewisch proudly displays his diploma.
Daniel R. Dietz and family pose in the college’s Remembrance Garden.
Joseph W. Bourgart preserves a graduation memory.
Jonathan A. Norton poses at “The Rock.”
Justin G. Smith with his “Penn College Proud” family
Matthew A. D’Onofrio at the Parkes Automotive Technology Center
Matthew D. Shupp captures a graduation memory at the Penn College entrance.
Walter L. Crary IV with his proud Penn College parent
Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the Penn College Board of Directors, addresses the commencement crowd.
President Davie Jane Gilmour signs a baseball for Zachary J. Buterbaugh, a standout on the Wildcat baseball team.
A new graduate is ready for the recessional.
Families in the balcony at the Arts Center cheer on their graduates.
Saturday morning’s student speaker Benjamin M. Schappell snaps a ‘selfie” on stage while delivering his address.
A soon-to-be graduate acknowledges a faculty member while processing into the Arts Center.
Saturday morning student speaker Benjamin J. Schappell makes a point.
President Davie Jane Gilmour turns the tassel of student speaker Benjamin J. Schappell.
Saturday afternoon student speaker Ashley G. Maietta is greeted, from left, by Chief Student Affairs Officer Elliott Strickland, PCEA President Ken Kuhns, Provost Paul L. Starkey and Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the Penn College Board.
Yaw snaps a “selfie” with Maietta.
Associate degree students acknowledge faculty well wishes during the Saturday afternoon processional.
Saturday afternoon student speaker Ashley G. Maietta addresses graduates and their families.
Dorothy M. Mathers, winner of the Veronica M. Muzic Master Teacher Award, expresses her gratitude.
Excellence in Teaching Award recipient Kevin R. Derr shows his surprise at being selected a second time for the honor.
President Gilmour turns the tassel of speaker Ashley G. Maietta.
Dental Hygiene graduates show off their creative cap decorations while waiting to recess from the Arts Center.
Chief Student Affairs Officer Elliott Strickland and student speaker Benjamin J. Schappell observe the processional.
A soon-to-be graduate’s cap tells her story.
A graduate from Friday’s ceremony shows off a colorful cap.
The family of the late Paul A. Cimino accepts a posthumous degree from college President Davie Jane Gilmour.
Roses await purchase outside the Community Arts Center.
Waiting in line for the Saturday morning commencement to start, ’14 graduates are all smiles.
A special Centennial year keepsake pin was given to all graduates to wear on their gowns.
The parents of the late Charles Kane accept a posthumous diploma on behalf of their son.
Sunshine blessed the Saturday morning commencement walk from the nearby Genetti Hotel to the college’s Community Arts Center in center city Williamsport.
Under the Arts Center marquee, graduates check their tassels one last time before entering.
Laughter fills the air …
… smiles are plenty …
… and antics, too!
His future’s so bright, he’s gotta wear shades!
Andrew R. Hatch adds a welding technology degree to a career arsenal that already includes an automotive technology degree.
After the ceremony, graduates and their loved ones make their way to West Fourth Street.
Retiring forestry professor Dennis F. Ringling congratulates his graduates.
Wildcat baseball team members Cody E. Buterbaugh, left, and his twin brother, Zachary J., carry baseballs into the commencement to be signed by the college president (who also chairs the Little League International Board of Directors).
A sunny yellow bow tie looks good on Saturday morning’s commencement speaker, Benjamin M. Schappell.
Snuggles from his daughters help a graduate celebrate.
A congratulatory embrace
A hug says it all
A grad poses with a young Penn College Proud fan.
Family members get close for photo opportunities.
Flowers and photos help complete the festivities.
Nursing graduate Anda M. Nichols celebrates with her husband and daughter.
A photo with “the girls”
Registrar Denny L. Dunkleberger provides instructions to Saturday morning’s graduating class.
Graduates from the collision repair and restoration majors gather with Roy H. Klinger, instructor of collision repair.
A soon-to-graduate student beams on his walk toward the arts center.
A thoughtful graduate processes to the Community Arts Center.
Celebrating his last commencement before retirement, Master Teacher Dennis F. Ringling, professor of forestry, chats with a student.
A proud family moment
Framing the perfect family memory
A resolute message, spelled out in the day’s requisite regalia.
Dental hygiene grads gather for a photo while “staging” in The Genetti Hotel.
Desiree L. Buffington and Sari C. Arkin, both candidates for a bachelor’s degree in nursing, pose while waiting to walk to the Community Arts Center.
Nursing students gather prior to the ceremony.
Soon-to-be grads ham it up for the camera.
A moment for mutual celebration
A mantra for early childhood education grads
Applied human services degree candidates seek one last photo together as students.
Tina M. Evans, associate professor of applied health studies, shares a smile with students
Classmates induce laughter.
Connor T. Fitzsimmons, an automotive technology: Honda PACT graduate from Lansdale, poses with his proud parents.
Delighting in a higher-ed victory
Honoring an inspiration
A Community Arts Center volunteer shakes the hand of each veteran.
Commencement day joy!
Carol Savoy accepts the Distinguished Alumni Award.
A selfie with the president!
Cameras and cell phones capture every angle.
Kristi L. Papiro, a nursing graduate from Cogan Station, poses with her Penn College Proud parents.
Graduation glory
The family of the late Theresa Jackson accepts a posthumous degree from the college president.
Saturday’s afternoon ceremony features a dynamic and colorful array of self-decorated mortarboards.
Students revel in their achievements.