Monday’s start of classes marked the academic onset of the Fall 2020 semester, but the new year officially began with Penn College’s Welcome Weekend and Friday/Saturday move-in days for new students. Although social distancing and restrictions on group gatherings didn’t allow for some of the traditional community-building activities, the vibe was as warm as the weather. And as mandatory (and properly worn) face coverings have been added to each day’s wardrobe, there was a heartening level of compliance with the college’s words to literally live by: “Hands-on, masks-on.”

– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer-photo editor;
and Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday

Latricia R. Yocum (left), physician assistant studies; Bridgette R. Snyder, secretary to Public Relations & Marketing; and men’s basketball head coach Geoff B. Hensley greet students and their families arriving for check-in at the Bush Campus Center. Yocum, from Watsontown, also works as a health assistant/EMT with College Health Services.

Freshman Destiny K. Kingkiner, a pre-nursing student from Ambler, clutches her stuffed cat for safe transit to a comfy home away from home.

Getting lined up for his temperature check is freshman Ryan P. Eash, of Hooversville. A first-year student in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology, Eash is about to become well-versed in the importance of an optimal thermal readout.

Masked movers exhibit an abundance of energy, making them picture-perfect ambassadors for the task ahead.

With the added safety of distancing and Plexiglas shields in The College Store, students pick up textbooks and supplies to start the semester.

“Grab-n-go lunch bags” (with disposable flatware in buckets) stand ready for pickup in Capitol Eatery. Guests walked through the dining unit’s various stations to place their choices into the bags – a sandwich or salad, one side dish, a dessert, chips and a beverage – for a complimentary meal during their respite from Welcome Weekend chores.

Even four-wheeled members of the college family kept a wide berth on move-in day!

Seth J. Bradley follows the Wildcat’s path, toting his comforter, pillow, etc. into York Hall. A Pottstown resident, he’s enrolled in landscape/horticulture technology: landscape emphasis.

Bountifully blue skies and a gorgeously green campus accompany new students (and the U-Hall Crew) in delivering provisions by the binload.

Three Wildcat Welcome tables – this one at the ATHS entrance, attracting first-year plastics students Jon J. and Jake T. Twardowski – provided convenient (and individually wrapped) goodies for the first day of fall classes.

Campus signage helps with opening-day acclimation.

A pause for refreshment before rejoining physician assistant classmates

Chalk it up to wisdom! Student leaders shared sidewalk messages across campus as the semester got underway.

Resident Assistant Danielle E. Malesky, a construction management major from Biglerville, snags a snack on the campus mall.