'Hot Dog, You're Here!'
Published 08.20.2010
The dog days of summer took on a new meeting at Pennsylvania College of Technology on Aug. 18, when a unique icebreaker united first-year students with employees and their dogs. Held on the Rose Street Commons, "Hot Dog, You're Here!" provided the opportunity for faculty and staff to welcome and engage new students over the common ground of pet ownership, conversation and free food. "Remember that salient issues for the (students') first years ... are fitting in, making friends, fighting homesickness, ... fear of not being smart enough to do college work, and feeling overwhelmed," participating dog owners were told by Kathy S. Wurster assistant director of counseling services. "It is our job to talk with them and feel out how they are making the transition to college." More than a dozen college employees brought their pets to the event, and plans already are under way for a more successful program next fall.
— Photos by Sarah K. Mariano, student photographer
Kathy S. Wurster, assistant director of counseling services, with Banks, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Lady and Daisy, a Labrador mix owned by Stacey J. Brown, secretary to the director of grants and contracts
Marianne E. DePasqua, client development specialist with Workforce Development & Continuing Education, holds her miniature long-haired dachshund, Aldo.
The irresistible face of Riley, a Lhasa Apso/Sheltie mix owned by Lenore G. Penfield, director of special events and the Madigan Gallery Library
College employee, first-year students connect outside Rose Street Apartments.
Counselor Michael S. DiPalma and his fawn boxer, Bruiser
Lola, an English bulldog owned by Roy P. Fontaine, psychology professor
Sheba, a Siberian husky, with owners Raymond J., manager of document services, and Linda J. Fischer, mail services manager.
A meeting of the minds between Boss (left), a Rottweiler owned by Paul A. “Babe” Mayer, associate professor of fitness and lifetime sports; and Axle, an American Staffordshire Terrier belonging to Jennifer A. George, student development information specialist.
Students move through the food line.
Obie, a dachshund owned by counselor Mary L. Lee Kelly, beats the heat with a cool quaff.