Former Penn College Dean Granted Emeritus Status
Published 06.14.2018
News
Faculty & Staff
School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies News
Colin W. Williamson, who served in administrative roles for 27 years at Pennsylvania College of Technology – including the final 15 as dean of the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies – has been granted Dean Emeritus status at the institution.
The Penn College Board of Directors approved the designation for Williamson at its June 14 meeting.
Williamson began his Penn College employment in 1987 as an assistant division director in natural resources management and transportation technology. He retired as dean of transportation and natural resources technologies in December 2014.
Among his many accomplishments were fostering industry partnerships that helped raise nearly $40 million in cash and in-kind/equipment donations. His longtime efforts to secure a transport-category aircraft were realized in 2012 with the donation of a Boeing 727-200 F to the aviation program by FedEx, and he was instrumental in coordinating early vehicle donations, grants and relationships with automotive museums to help launch the automotive restoration technology major, which has garnered media interest on the regional, statewide and national levels.
Williamson also participated in national organizations to bring industry expertise and best practices to campus. He served on the board of the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation Board and coordinated conferences on campus for the North American Council of Automotive Teachers in 1998 and 2008. He also played an integral role in the college’s 2014 Centennial Celebration, helping to coordinate an event marking 100 years of automotive education at the institution.
“As a dean, Colin was acutely aware of the need for our students to be actively engaged in learning in environments that replicated what they would experience in the private sector,” wrote Paul L. Starkey, vice president for academic affairs/provost, in a letter recommending emeritus status for Williamson. “He was also keenly aware of the cost of providing such a learning environment. Colin was extraordinarily effective in establishing relationships with external partners to mitigate the cost of a high-quality Penn College education.”
“Colin was student-centered in his actions as dean,” wrote his successor, Brett A. Reasner, in a memo to Starkey supporting Williamson’s emeritus status. “He befriended and mentored many students over the years,” adding he had “earned the respect of students, faculty and staff.”
For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call 800-367-9222.
The Penn College Board of Directors approved the designation for Williamson at its June 14 meeting.
Williamson began his Penn College employment in 1987 as an assistant division director in natural resources management and transportation technology. He retired as dean of transportation and natural resources technologies in December 2014.
Among his many accomplishments were fostering industry partnerships that helped raise nearly $40 million in cash and in-kind/equipment donations. His longtime efforts to secure a transport-category aircraft were realized in 2012 with the donation of a Boeing 727-200 F to the aviation program by FedEx, and he was instrumental in coordinating early vehicle donations, grants and relationships with automotive museums to help launch the automotive restoration technology major, which has garnered media interest on the regional, statewide and national levels.Williamson also participated in national organizations to bring industry expertise and best practices to campus. He served on the board of the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation Board and coordinated conferences on campus for the North American Council of Automotive Teachers in 1998 and 2008. He also played an integral role in the college’s 2014 Centennial Celebration, helping to coordinate an event marking 100 years of automotive education at the institution.
“As a dean, Colin was acutely aware of the need for our students to be actively engaged in learning in environments that replicated what they would experience in the private sector,” wrote Paul L. Starkey, vice president for academic affairs/provost, in a letter recommending emeritus status for Williamson. “He was also keenly aware of the cost of providing such a learning environment. Colin was extraordinarily effective in establishing relationships with external partners to mitigate the cost of a high-quality Penn College education.”
“Colin was student-centered in his actions as dean,” wrote his successor, Brett A. Reasner, in a memo to Starkey supporting Williamson’s emeritus status. “He befriended and mentored many students over the years,” adding he had “earned the respect of students, faculty and staff.”
For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call 800-367-9222.