Former College President Establishes Endowed Scholarships
Published 02.20.2001
Dr. Kenneth E. Carl, who led Pennsylvania College of Technology's predecessor institutions − the Williamsport Area Community College and the Williamsport Technical Institute − for more than two decades beginning in 1952, has established two endowed scholarships for students at Penn College.
Dr. Carl, who served as director of W.T.I. and was the first president of W.A.C.C., established the Mrs. Marion C. Carl Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund as a memorial to his wife, who died in February 2000. That scholarship and the Dr. Kenneth E. Carl Endowed Scholarship Fund will be available to students enrolled in any major at Penn College.
"Marion and I are very proud of all the students that went through the programs over the years," Dr. Carl said. "We are especially proud of what the Williamsport Technical Institute has become. Marion always enjoyed seeing the changes on campus."
Many alumni have expressed their desire to donate to a scholarship program in honor of Dr. Carl, said Dennis Correll, associate dean for institutional advancement.
"Each student that we talk to from the W.T.I. and W.A.C.C. eras has a special story of how Dr. Carl took the time to get to know them, and made sure they stayed on track," Correll said. "Many past students comment that he was like 'a father to them,' and he made sure they got their work and studies done."
Dr. Carl, a Williamsport native, graduated from WTI's drafting program in 1931. Six years later, he became head of the drafting department. In the interim, he worked for Lycoming Motors (now Textron Lycoming) and completed a bachelor's degree in industrial education at The Pennsylvania State University. Later, he earned a doctoral degree at Penn State. He succeeded Dr. George H. Parkes as director of W.T.I. in 1952 and became W.A.C.C.'s first president when it was founded in 1965. He retired in 1973.
The scholarships established by Dr. Carl will be awarded annually to one recipient each. Preference will be given to continuing students in subsequent years. The amount of the distribution will be determined on an annual basis.
Those who wish to contribute to either scholarship fund may write to the Penn College Foundation, One College Avenue, Williamsport, PA 17701, or call (570) 320-8020.