More Than 900 Graduate in Spring Commencement Ceremonies

– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor; Jennifer A. Cline, writer/editor-One College Avenue;
Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday; Becky J. Shaner, alumni relations specialist;
and Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer

A quote from Walt Disney appropriately adorns the cap of Michelle M. Holzmann, a building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration student from Saylorsburg.

White-shirted members of the architectural technology faculty – Naim N.Jabbour (left) and Daniel L. Brooks – are surrounded by cheerful and grateful students.

Katelyn M.McNaughton, of Malvern, snaps a photo of Kimberly R.Martinez, of Jersey Shore, with Brian D. Walton, assistant dean of business and hospitality. The women earned degrees in business administration: marketing concentration; Martinez was enrolled in Walton's First Year Experience class in Fall 2012.

The 3-year-old daughter of Benjamin A. Hess (accompanied off-camera by her mother, Stephanie) is proudly in Dad's corner on graduation day. Hess, a 2003 Alumnus Achievement Award winner, added a bachelor's in technology management to his 1995 associate degree in computer aided drafting and design.

As rain coincides with Friday's recessional, grads hug their well-wishers under the CAC marquee.

Michael A. Coletti, a technology management alumnus from Yorktown Heights, New York, is framed for social media ...

... and is later congratulated outside by Marc E. Bridgens, school dean.

From left, building construction technology instructors Levon A. Whitmyer and Barney A. Kahn IV celebrate with new grads (and Penn College Construction Association members) Vincent S. Del Monte, of Berlin, New Jersey, and Mark A. Lapszynski, of Kennett Square.

The family of Adam T. Engel, of South Williamsport, who graduated in business administration: marketing concentration, gathers in the drizzle for a group photo – only a fraction of the group, in fact, that was on hand for his commencement.

Sheltered from the spring storm are archery standout Kendel F. Baier, of Jersey Shore, with her proud mother, Valerie A., administrative assistant to the president. Baier, who earned a degree in building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration, is pursuing a master's degree at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

... and, prior to commencement, with Rachel C. Bryant, a baking and pastry arts student from State College.

Accenting the requisite graduation gown with something decidedly less uniform

Many devices with one purpose: capturing their student favorites as they enter the theater.

Crossing the street to escape the crowd and finding a natural canopy to deflect raindrops, a family creates a photo op.

A multigenerational mix marks the special day.

Chef Charles R. Niedermyer II, an alumnus and one of the weekend's teaching honorees, surrenders to a photographer's request.

As the clock ticks toward Friday's procession, culinary arts and systems major Briana R. Helmick, of Hershey, makes one last assessment in a Genetti Hotel mirror.

"Old" friends, fairly recent alumni all, take a selfie before commencement. From left are Adam J. Yoder, Sarah R. Shott and Brian D. Walton.

Friday's student speaker, is encouraged by John M. Young, a member of the college's board of directors.

Shayna L. Zerby, a baking and pastry arts graduate from Lock Haven, gauges the personal benefit of her academic accomplishment.

A faculty member enjoying the student side of commencement, welding lecturer Matthew W. Nolan smiles to his family. Nolan, who already holds degrees in welding (1987) and occupational therapy

assistant (1996), added a bachelor's in technology management Friday.

A baking and pastry arts shout-out

Soon-to-be-graduates share laughs with their faculty mentors as participants take their places.

President Davie Jane Gilmour with her cell phone, inviting others to snap away and use #pctgrad when posting to social media. "After all, we are a college of technology!" she said.

Joseph H. and Barbara A. Reynolds receive the president's profound congratulations on accepting their alumni Humanitarian/Citizenship Award.

Adam J. Yoder accepts his Volunteer of the Year award and offers advice to new alumni about staying involved with Penn College.

Say "fromage!" A surprised teaching honoree Chef Charles R. Niedermyer II lightens the moment by taking a selfie with the college's leader ...

... and keeps smiling as he thanks the college community and his biggest supporter (his wife, Nova).

Associate degree candidates set a festive tone.

And in the turn of a tassel, a baccalaureate candidate becomes "the real deal."

Kimberly A. Venti, of Muncy, who served in the Air Force from 1987-91, is among the 36 graduating veterans honored with rousing applause. A financial aid specialist at the college, Venti earned her four-year degree in technology management.

These cowboy boots were made for walkin' across the Community Arts Center stage.

Colorful shoes complement the flowers, making for a springy statement.

Cody M. Yonkin, a culinary arts technology major from South Williamsport, savors his moment with the president ...

Hard work and persistence pay off for Thomas H. Bressler, a food and hospitality management major from Williamsport.

A self-styled endorsement of one's own academic performance

A day filled with happiness and handshakes

Preserving an already-unforgettable moment

A heartfelt moment with Sandra L. Karnes, speech communications-composition faculty, and her son, Christopher J. Kent, of Bloomsburg, who graduated in renewable energy technologies.

Maxwell A. Davert, graduating in building science and sustainable design, waits to be announced by Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management/associate provost. Davert, whose college years were marked by a series of well-received videos shot from a quadcopter, included the DJI logo and slogan on his mortarboard to acknowledge the drone's manufacturer.

A new grad exults in his brief "lei-over" between career preparedness and official entry to the working world.

Proudly sporting the colors of his beloved Sigma Nu fraternity, Christopher M. Scheller freezes time with the president. The Sykesville, Maryland, resident graduated in building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration.

Fist-pumping with pride

Fluid moves and a carefree spirit carry Wilmer I. Clase, of Lancaster, across the stage. After receiving his architectural technology degree Friday, he will return in the fall to work toward a bachelor's in building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration.

A triumphant Matthew R. Clugston, of Philadelphia, earning a bachelor's degree in residential construction technology and management: building construction technology concentration

Honoring a higher power on a special day

An understated celebration of an over-the-moon milestone

Jubilation by the handfuls.

A smile as bright as his future

Body language that shouts "Yes, I can!"

As the faculty recess, a beach ball is launched aloft.

The day's most coveted object: a college degree, held by fewer than 7 percent of the world's population.

Abdulrahman R. Aldebas, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning design technology student – and the School of Construction & Design Technologies' first Saudi Arabian graduate – crosses the stage ...

Degree candidates move into their rightful place in the center of attention.

A reverent and hopeful audience pays heed.

Eyes front as students look back on their college years

... including Brianna R. Helmick's nod to a tool of her trade.

A presidential welcome

Friends and family envelop the graduates, physically and emotionally.

A full house – and what a house it is!

A venue as grand as the event it hosts

Annette M. Counterman, of Milton, is presented with her diploma by her husband, Arthur L., an instructor of electrical technology/occupations.

The heart-pounding backstage moment before the dream comes true

An end to the academic year, an exodus to celebration

In a sea of caps, some islands of self-expression ...

... before being greeted with more friendly signage.

One of the college's newest alums shares his happiness (and his graduation cap) with a friend.

A future Wildcat tries college on for size.

Spending the day with those who helped get him there

Graduates bond in front of their marquee mention.

How many college graduates does it take to fill a photo frame?

Penn College Police Officer Charles E. O'Brien says farewell to another group of students-turned-friends.

Bryan T. Robinson, of Gilbertsville, a plastics and polymer engineering technology graduate, reunites outdoors with supporters – including Timothy E. Weston, associate professor and department head.

Family love surrounds Saturday morning's speaker – including Dad Stephen A. Manley (to his left), executive chef at Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.

An early childhood education graduate, set to pour her heart into her work.

The happiness of 2015 Wildcat "Athlete of the Year," volleyball player and graphic design grad Courtney L. Gernert, of Palmyra, can't be constrained.

The extended family of Anthony P. Levan Jr., a graphic design major and college gallery attendant from Herndon, fittingly poses along the "Avenue of the Arts."

Dylan N. Murray, of Jersey Shore, among the first graduates in the four-year-old information technology sciences-gaming and simulation major.

Derek E. Teay, of Northampton, a campus leader among IT students, attains his degree in software development and information management.

Todd S. Woodling (left), assistant professor of building automation technologies, prepares to lead his former students into the auditorium.

Among Saturday's graduates in electronics and computer engineering technology is Thomas J. Koren, of Warminster.

"Selfie fever" proves contagious on-stage.

In a speech that made several parallels between gaming and life, Andrew S. Manley champions the thrill of playing as an antidote to inevitable failure ...

... prompting a standing ovation from classmates that flowed throughout the venue.

Welder, artist and award-winning faculty member and alumnus, Michael K. Patterson includes public speaking in his expansive repertoire. Patterson was surprised with presentation of his certificate in welding from Williamsport Area Community College, which he earned in 1977 but never received.

The president congratulates faculty honoree John G. Upcraft, instructor of machine tool technology/automated manufacturing, a popular mentor to the SAE Baja team and the first recipient of a bachelor's degree from Penn College.

Collision repair instructor Roy H. Klinger, who has helped take the automotive restoration technology major into national prominence, expresses his gratitude for his Excellence in Teaching award.

Saturday morning's final graduate, class representative Manley, gets a sincere presidential sendoff.

There's always time for another student photo, this time with Matthew A. Bamonte, of Milton, an inaugural graduate in information technology sciences-gaming and simulation.

The bow tie has it!

A student includes Steven P. Johnson, a member of the college's board of directors, in the selfie stream.

The president sends a beach ball back into play during her recessional from the theater.

River Valley Transit buses take graduates and their families back and forth between the Arts Center and the main campus.

Understandably all smiles is Brittany L. Delmo, a plastics and polymer engineering technology major from Milford.

No matter what's next, she has his back.

A footloose finalist for "Dancing With the Grads."

Seeming superheroes keep their date with a diploma.

Reppert's cap telegraphs her resolve to follow through on daunting tasks via Data Assessment Planning.

Floating through their day to remember

Smiles that say "confidence"

A new breed of superheroes, able to help the sick with a singular skill.

A closed-circuit screen helps broadcast the proceedings throughout the spacious theater.

Bethany M. Reppert, whose healthy brand of student activism surely left her community better than she found it, followed her script but not her game plan. She said she'd hoped to just do her schoolwork and stay under the radar, but frequent on- and off-campus volunteer opportunities gave her little choice but to get involved.

Applied human services major and Saturday afternoon speaker, Reppert also received the President's Award for campus service and leadership.

A diploma is presented to Sarah E. Boyer, a dental hygiene: health policy and administration concentration student from Great Mills, Maryland, who also received the Patricia L. Saxton Excellence in Dental Hygiene Award. The award is presented in recognition of President Gilmour's mother, who died March 28.

The Danish phrase on aviation maintenance technician graduate Kathreen D. Larsen’s cap translates to “Never is not an option.” She chose the phrase because she was told many times that she would “never” be an aviation mechanic. She chose the language based on her lineage.

The woman under the cap, Meriah B. Port, tested this notion; she hadn’t planned to go to college because it wasn’t her “thing,” but received her associate degree in engineering CAD technology.

A trio of building automation technology graduates

Victory, an appropriate gesture to celebrate a degree won

The double thumbs-up

Anticipatory smiles are part of the pre-commencement wardrobe.

Three grads pause for a photo during the Saturday morning procession.

Happy Saturday morning graduates head to the Community Arts Center.

A handsome pair of smiles in front of The Genetti Hotel.

Mom, forest technology graduate Karen P. Sangl, and daughter leave the theater together.

A heartfelt embrace

Plastics and polymer engineering technology grad Mohammed A Kanwi with John R. Bartomolucci, assistant professor of plastics technology

Lance R. Roan, a graduate in information technology: information assurance and security concentration, poses for a photo with his proud parents.

Two grads show off their diploma folders.

A congratulatory hug

A bird’s-eye-view of post-graduation activity

A lineup of smart-phone wielding photographers faces a lineup of new graduates.

An inspirational dental hygiene cap

A graduate’s mortarboard testifies to her next chapter.

An aspirational message

Nursing graduate Julie H. Carr flashes a smile on her way to the ceremony … and then to work in an intensive care unit.

The deserved smile of a soon-to-be graduate

A School of Health Sciences graduate displays a justifiably proud smile during the walk down William Street.

A group of early childhood education students

Since her mom wouldn’t allow her to wear her cowboy boots, this problem-solving cowgirl/nursing grad found another way to include them in her academic regalia.

A mirthful march to the Saturday afternoon ceremony

Wearing stoles from Lambda Epsilon Chi, the national paralegal honor society, a pair of grads smiles for the camera.

Graduates of the legal assistant-paralegal major stop on their way to the Community Arts Center.

A beaming group: graduates of Web and interactive media, with faculty member Denise S. Leete.

The glow of a brand-new grad

Celebrating with a special fan

Drawing on a Biblical proverb about a worthy woman: strength, dignity and no fear of the future.

Outshining the Community Arts Center’s future headliners, a couple poses for photos before the marquee.

A picture of Penn College pride, as father and son celebrate.

Classmates pause for a final photo before the Saturday afternoon ceremony.

Matthew J. Glodowski, who conscientiously led both the Architecture Club and the U.S. Green Building Council Students of Penn College, takes to the magnificent Community Arts Center stage for his Friday address.

A future in full flower

The unstoppable power of a college education

A Wildcat student-athlete – golfer Nicholas J. Krupka, of Allentown – receives his degree in industrial and human factors design.

The president shares a favorite quote from Mae West, undeniable wisdom from an unlikely source.