Nearly 1,000 Earn 'degrees that work' in Weekend Ceremonies

– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor;
Jennifer A. Cline, writer/editor-One College Avenue;
and Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday

Last in line for Friday’s commencement, grads from the web and interactive media major gather for a photo with Denise S. Leete, associate professor.

“Saving the world, one tree at a time!” was the rallying cry of grads in the building automation technology major as they waited to enter the Community Arts Center.

A fond farewell wave to life as an undergrad.

On a jubilant Friday afternoon, students play for the camera.

The skillfully designed cap of graphic design graduate Zachary G. Bird, recipient of this year's Academic Vice President and Provost's Award.

The wife of military veteran and applied human services grad Chad E. Hahn made his cap, a checklist of accomplishments under his belt.

A “fierce” graduate

A Crayola-colorful early childhood education cap

Appropriate to her major, an early childhood education grad shares grown-up inspiration in a timeless children’s book.

Homage to woman’s best friend

Early childhood education grads gather.

A bright smile accompanies a degree candidate’s attire.

Wearing a white cord signifying cum laude honors, a graduate heads to the Community Arts Center.

With hair lifted lightly by a warm breeze, a grad processes along West Fourth Street.

A look of happy determination crosses the face of applied human services major April M. Tucker.

A shout-out to Calvin and Hobbes

Showing off the graduation-day goods

A brand-new grad leaves the theater with an appropriate grin.

Graphic design grad and veteran Jamie L. Mahoney

After the ceremony, time to capture final moments of celebration with classmates.

Nasser Aljadah, a plastics and polymer engineering technology graduate, celebrates with his father.

No better time for a selfie with family

Savoring a joyful occasion

A photo op honors the gifts of one generation to another.

With a hearty yell, students lift a friend in celebration.

Soon-to-be-grads in building science and sustainable design show the strength of their marketability in numbers.

Construction management students make quick work of the logistics involved in a group photo. Third from left in the back row is Anthony V. Rode, recipient of the Construction Management Faculty Award.

A banner day for heating, ventilation and air conditioning design technology majors

Exercise science grads recruit assistant professor Judy Quinti (near left) and lab supervisor Erin J. McMurray (near right) for celebratory pix.

Nursing student Chelsea A. Hanley touts the anatomical effort required to become a life-saver.

Nursing student Toncia M. Plocinski leads the charge to capture the moment; among those joining the fun is Sandra L. Richmond (in red-and-blue regalia), director of nursing.

As encouraged by a presidential proclamation from the podium, audience members' varied devices light up the auditorium to commemorate the day.

Borrowing from a beloved Pixar film, nursing grad Loretta M. Park – winner of the Nursing Peer Recognition Award – telegraphs the direction of her dreams.

With emotion this genuine, is a caption really necessary?

A surveying technology grad shows off his diploma – and whimsically charts the evolution of his chosen career.

Daniel H. Pulinski, graduating in residential construction technology and management: building construction technology concentration – and commissioned Saturday night as an Army officer – talks with instructors Barney A. Kahn IV (center) and Levon A. Whitmyer.

A proud family moment for Katelyn A. Wertz, a dental hygiene: health policy and administration concentration major

Balloons and airborne hand signals are among the tricks to beat the crowd when "Meet me under the marquee" isn't enough.

Timothy S. Shook (right), building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration, reunites with Daniel L. Brooks (left), instructor of architectural technology, and Naim N. Jabbour, assistant professor of architectural technology, after the Saturday morning ceremony.

Landscape/horticulture technology: plant production emphasis grad Jane C. Mertes stops (briefly) to smell the flowers; she begins work this fall toward a bachelor's in applied management.

Aviation maintenance technology majors (plus one) prepare for takeoff. From left are Tylor J. Burkett; Bhismadut B. Contractor, who graduated in business administration: management concentration; Ryan A. Gibson; James S. Alger and Taylor L. Cronshey. Contractor, a former senator from the School of Business & Hospitality, served the Student Government Association with Burkett, Gibson and Alger.

Harley R. Heichel, recipient of the Forest Technology Faculty Award, shares a fitting sentiment.

As rain falls during the Saturday afternoon procession, College Store manager Matt Branca is among those providing helpful shelter for the half-block sprint.

As skies darkened for the Saturday afternoon proceedings, the Arts Center lobby was prepared for soggy accoutrements.

School of Business & Hospitality students and faculty check out their larger-than-life presence on the overhead video screen ...

While generally surrounded by vintage vehicles, automotive restoration technology graduates have no problem fronting a natural gas-powered River Valley Transit bus.

Victoria L. Kostecki celebrates her applied management degree with proud supporters.

A gathering area west of the theater provides ample space for preserving memories.

Holding tight to his diploma case ... and to those who helped him get there.

Student-athlete Nicole C. LoFurno, celebrating outside the CAC, rides a whirlwind from Saturday's commencement to the following week's start of national softball playoffs.

Facing the future together

Accustomed to being on the other side of a camera, former student photographer Caleb G. Schirmer, who earned a bachelor's degree in applied management, is snapped by his father, George L. At right is friend Kyle J. Eccher, a December 2014 graduate in aviation maintenance technology.

With Penn College's new "step and repeat" banner as their backdrop, dental hygiene students show off the artistic enhancement of their graduation caps.

Biding time in a Genetti Hotel ballroom, students in Saturday morning's ceremony text, primp, reminisce and reflect.

Planning a surprise for Friday's student speaker, an avid bowtie enthusiast, is this administrative crew of similarly accessorized supporters.

The stage is set! … and includes a new college seal in the background.

An engineering design graduate expresses the weight of the moment on her mortarboard.

Todd S. Woodling (left), assistant professor of building automation technology/HVAC electrical, enjoys the moment with two of his charges.

Everyone gets hugs on commencement day – including Penn College Police Officer Charles E. O'Brien!

Ryan K. Fisher, engineering design technology, sports his past (2012) and present (2016) tassels.

A bright day for brothers Jared (left) and Rantz Mahaffey, both donning sunglasses.

Student speaker Gobbi asks his parents to stand for acknowledgement, then encourages all parents to rise for applause.

Anthony D. Gobbi eloquently shares an Arabic quote related to hard work, much to the delight of Arabic students in Friday's audience.

Alumni Volunteer of the Year Van A. Johnson, ’73, shares words of wisdom.

A surprised Craig A. Miller, assistant professor of history and political science, accepts accolades as a Distinguished Teaching honoree.

Accepting his second Distinguished Teaching Award, Kirk M. Cantor, professor of plastics technology, champions the human value of work.

The president turns the tassel of Friday’s student speaker as all of the graduates do the same.

Fist-bumps are plenty as graduates made their way across the stage.

A former student photographer at the college, Abdullah H. Muaddi snaps a treasured moment with the campus leader.

ROTC student Daniel G. Curtin hugs one of his mentors, Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management/associate provost.

Lauren A. Rhodes, assistant professor of mathematics, awards a diploma to her son, Matthew H. Gordon, a welding and fabrication engineering technology graduate.

A father’s pride: Jeffrey M. Januchowski, assistant professor of automotive technology/Ford ASSET, hugs his daughter, Alexa A., a graphic design graduate.

LaQuinn N. Thompson, one of two recipients of the President’s Award for leadership and service to the college, shakes his president’s hand.

Kacie L. Weaver, recipient of the Lewis H. Bardo Memorial Award honoring devotion to duty, helpfulness to others, friendliness and high ideals, smiles at her fans.

As the president reveals her hidden bowtie to Gobbi, the stage erupts in laughter.

The stunning Community Arts Center glows with the beauty and pride of the occasion.

First in line for the Saturday morning commencement are Geoffrey M. Campbell (left), assistant professor of architectural technology, and students.

Hands in the air, Aaron R. Blakeley makes his presence known.

Commencement isn’t complete without the smiles of dental hygiene graduates!

Two super-heroes make their way into the Community Arts Center.

Faculty enjoy watching their students file into the arts center inner lobby.

Standing beside Elliott Strickland, chief student affairs officer, Cortney L. Weaver, student speaker for Saturday morning’s ceremony, waves to her family – which only learned upon arrival of her important role.

Sarah S. Moore, Disability Services sign language interpreter, adeptly renders the National Anthem.

Weaver, who received the Susquehanna Health Dental Hygiene Award in addition to being chosen as class speaker, thanks her large circle of supporters – including fellow graduates.

Physician assistant alumni Adam D. and Hilary C. Thompson accept the Alumni Achievement Award.

A former dental hygienist (the college president) offers congratulations to a future dental hygienist.

As he makes his way across the stage, a graduate pauses for a selfie with the audience as background.

The scene below offers a slightly different angle than that on the Arts Center screen overhead.

Melissa A. Wilson, recipient of the Board of Directors’ Award, accepts her diploma.

A "selfie stick" makes its appearance.

A star on the stage – with the day’s most coveted "trophy."

Graduates rise to give praise to their departing professors.

A beach ball is served back into ‘play’ by the college president (in foreground).

Humorous words for the day – and night.

A new graduate holds all of the day’s vital accessories.

New nurses pose for photos outside the commencement venue.

Sharing in the day's happiness

Decorations on a grad cap mimic the marquee’s lights.

Prior to delivering the student speech at Saturday afternoon’s ceremony, Jessica R. Wiegand enjoys a photo op with Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the college’s Board of Directors (left), and James Parker, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Cooking up a delicious future!

Rain didn’t dampen the spirits of Saturday afternoon’s graduates, who gathered in the arts center’s inner lobby before the ceremony.

... which provided roaming glimpses of the crowd until the ceremony got underway.

Wiegand delivers a lively talk, encouraging graduates to follow their passions and be of service to the world. In addition to speaker's honors, she was presented with the Business Faculty Award the night before.

Spring flowers on stage offer a reminder of seasonal beauty.

Parker encourages graduates to ask for the impossible, take risks and appreciate opportunities.

Gilmour performs the honorary tassel-turning for the student speaker.

ROTC graduate Craig W. Robbins is among the veterans honored with rousing applause and appreciation at each of the three exercises.

Scott L. Neff II, culinary arts and systems, hugs his mother, Barbara K. Emert-Strouse, assistant professor of dental hygiene.

Emily K. Lutz, one of two students receiving the President’s Award for leadership and service to the college, accepts her diploma from the president.

After pausing to congratulate Wiegand, Caleb G. Schirmer dashes for his diploma. The applied management graduate is a recipient of the Rose Staiman Memorial Award for brotherhood, service to college and community, and scholastic achievement.

Buses await passengers following the third commencement.

Kadeem D. Carter, collision repair technology graduate, and family revel in the joy of the day.

A colorful moment for memories

Old Glory for a new alum: The "Stars and Stripes" grace the headgear of Roger C. Bruso, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning design technology major.

The college’s main entrance sign sees its fair share of proud paparazzi.

Saturday's afternoon speaker shares her considerable accomplishment with loved ones – Mom Brenda A., among them, who earned a business management degree that day.

Already surrounded by riches, Ryan M. Minisci adds a diesel equipment technology degree for good measure.

Zachery T. Kane gets ready to receive his third Penn College degree, this one in applied technology studies.

Daniel H. Pulinski (left) and Warren M. Reed – both graduating in residential construction technology and management: building construction technology concentration

ROTC grad Kyle A. Csorba, earning a degree in residential construction technology management, enjoys the company of classmates.

Jeffrey C. Comitz, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning design technology graduate, strides confidently into his spring trifecta of triumph: a bachelor's degree, an imminent new home and – in June – parenthood.

Shahryar Vahabzadeh, a nursing graduate originally from Iran, celebrates with two of his mentors, Margaret M. Faust (left) and Kathleen M. Hyatt, assistant professors of nursing.

Back on campus, "The Rock" sends an apropos message to this year's graduates – and stands ready as a backdrop for photo memories.