Places to Go, People to See: Open House Traffic as Brisk as Early Spring

Published 03.23.2013

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Helpful and friendly Penn College students, employees and graduates – the largest group of alumni volunteers for an Open House to date – welcomed thousands Saturday, encouraging prospective enrollees and their families to make the most of their visit. Guests were afforded across-the-board opportunities to learn about one of the nation's leaders in applied technology education: attending information sessions, visiting with faculty in labs, touring with Presidential Ambassadors and talking with students about campus life.


– Photos by Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer; Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor;
Becky J. Shaner, alumni relations specialist; Marc T. Kaylor, student photographer;
Carol A. Lugg, coordinator of matriculation and retention, School of Natural Resources Management;
and Cletus G. Waldman Jr., clinical director, radiography


A welcome from President Davie Gilmour during one of the morning's Klump Academic Center information sessions

A welcome from President Davie Gilmour during one of the morning's Klump Academic Center information sessions

Helping a father and son plan an informative and enjoyable itinerary at check-in is Tom F. Gregory, associate vice president for instruction

Helping a father and son plan an informative and enjoyable itinerary at check-in is Tom F. Gregory, associate vice president for instruction

An alumni reunion in the Carl Building Technologies Center: Volunteers Carl F. Gravely, '08 (left), and Adam J. Yoder, '11, return to assist Todd S. Wooding, assistant professor of building automation technology/HVAC electrical, and a 1982 graduate.

An alumni reunion in the Carl Building Technologies Center: Volunteers Carl F. Gravely, '08 (left), and Adam J. Yoder, '11, return to assist Todd S. Wooding, assistant professor of building automation technology/HVAC electrical, and a 1982 graduate.

Mitchell T. Black, left, and Bryant M. Deller – each with multiple degrees from the School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies – shared their senior capstone project: a multi-engine gearbox for a professional

Mitchell T. Black, left, and Bryant M. Deller – each with multiple degrees from the School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies – shared their senior capstone project: a multi-engine gearbox for a professional "pulling tractor."

Prior to competing in the Heavy Equipment Rodeo, Zachary Waggle, a sophomore in heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis from Somerset, gets some extra support from his 8-month-old twin sons, Brent and Brayden, and their mother, Cassie.

Prior to competing in the Heavy Equipment Rodeo, Zachary Waggle, a sophomore in heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis from Somerset, gets some extra support from his 8-month-old twin sons, Brent and Brayden, and their mother, Cassie.

Marveling at the

Marveling at the "marble maze" in the BTC's architectural technology wing.

The Hydroculture Garden in the Schneebeli Earth Science Center greenhouses drew many interested onlookers, seeking slivers of spring. This crowd was escorted by Michael Dincher, assistant professor of horticulture, and Presidential Student Ambassador Jeremy L. Thorne, horticulture/horticulture technology: landscape emphasis, from Sugarloaf.

The Hydroculture Garden in the Schneebeli Earth Science Center greenhouses drew many interested onlookers, seeking slivers of spring. This crowd was escorted by Michael Dincher, assistant professor of horticulture, and Presidential Student Ambassador Jeremy L. Thorne, horticulture/horticulture technology: landscape emphasis, from Sugarloaf.

Colin W. Williamson, dean of transportation technology, addresses a packed session in the Thompson Professional Development Center.

Colin W. Williamson, dean of transportation technology, addresses a packed session in the Thompson Professional Development Center.

Kelly A. Braun, who earned dental hygiene degrees in 2009 and 2010, welcomed ACC visitors with –  no surprise – a warm and winning smile.

Kelly A. Braun, who earned dental hygiene degrees in 2009 and 2010, welcomed ACC visitors with – no surprise – a warm and winning smile.

Diesel technology major Steven M. Seguine, president of the Diesel Performance Technicians Association, with a featured CAT diesel truck.

Diesel technology major Steven M. Seguine, president of the Diesel Performance Technicians Association, with a featured CAT diesel truck.

Leslie J. Baier, data control assistant in the Admissions Office, assists visitors to the Student and Administrative Services Center.

Leslie J. Baier, data control assistant in the Admissions Office, assists visitors to the Student and Administrative Services Center.

Check-in volunteers handle the steady flow through the Field House.

Check-in volunteers handle the steady flow through the Field House.

Joseph A. Taviani, a member of the Honda PACT faculty, talks with a family in the Parkes Automotive Technology Center.

Joseph A. Taviani, a member of the Honda PACT faculty, talks with a family in the Parkes Automotive Technology Center.

Shedding some light on surgical technology, with the help of 2012 alumna Jaime L. Binkley (background)

Shedding some light on surgical technology, with the help of 2012 alumna Jaime L. Binkley (background)

Carolyn R. Strickland, assistant vice president for academic services, explains what sets Penn College apart.

Carolyn R. Strickland, assistant vice president for academic services, explains what sets Penn College apart.

Welcoming visitors to the dental hygiene clinic are, clockwise from left, faculty members Kim A. Speicher and Mary Jo Saxe and students Tiffany A. Kilpatrick and Natalina R. D'Urso.

Welcoming visitors to the dental hygiene clinic are, clockwise from left, faculty members Kim A. Speicher and Mary Jo Saxe and students Tiffany A. Kilpatrick and Natalina R. D'Urso.

Alumnus Micah Metzel, who holds three degrees from Penn College ('09, technology management; '08, heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis; and '08, diesel technology), is an anchor of knowledge at the ESC.

Alumnus Micah Metzel, who holds three degrees from Penn College ('09, technology management; '08, heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis; and '08, diesel technology), is an anchor of knowledge at the ESC.

Chef Paul E. Mach, assistant professor of hospitality management/culinary arts, with a family outside Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.

Chef Paul E. Mach, assistant professor of hospitality management/culinary arts, with a family outside Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.

Nursing alumna Samantha M. Carey, Class of 2009, provides one-on-one attention for a prospective student.

Nursing alumna Samantha M. Carey, Class of 2009, provides one-on-one attention for a prospective student.

William F. Stepp IV, a 2008 aviation maintenance technology graduate, returned with a Life Flight medical helicopter from Geisinger Medical Center ...

William F. Stepp IV, a 2008 aviation maintenance technology graduate, returned with a Life Flight medical helicopter from Geisinger Medical Center ...

... while his father, an associate professor of aviation, handled the crowd inside the Lumley Aviation Center hangar.

... while his father, an associate professor of aviation, handled the crowd inside the Lumley Aviation Center hangar.

Jackson J. Albert, left, a sophomore in horticulture/landscape technology: landscape emphasis, from Liverpool, hangs out with visiting landscape alum Cory Ferreri, '12. Ferreri is now employed by Spayd's Landscaping in Fleetwood.

Jackson J. Albert, left, a sophomore in horticulture/landscape technology: landscape emphasis, from Liverpool, hangs out with visiting landscape alum Cory Ferreri, '12. Ferreri is now employed by Spayd's Landscaping in Fleetwood.

Van Johnson, a 1973 liberal arts graduate of Williamsport Area Community College, was among the greeters in the ACC.

Van Johnson, a 1973 liberal arts graduate of Williamsport Area Community College, was among the greeters in the ACC.

An overview of the School of Business and Computer Technologies was provided by Brian D. Walton, coordinator of matriculation and retention (left), and Edward A. Henninger, dean.

An overview of the School of Business and Computer Technologies was provided by Brian D. Walton, coordinator of matriculation and retention (left), and Edward A. Henninger, dean.

Thaddeus J. Temple, a 2009 alumnus of the manufacturing engineering technology major, lends a hand in College Avenue Labs.

Thaddeus J. Temple, a 2009 alumnus of the manufacturing engineering technology major, lends a hand in College Avenue Labs.

Brad Martin, instructor of construction management, answers questions.

Brad Martin, instructor of construction management, answers questions.

Bambi A. Hawkins, learning laboratory coordinator for the paramedic program, directs Open House visitors to an ACC information session.

Bambi A. Hawkins, learning laboratory coordinator for the paramedic program, directs Open House visitors to an ACC information session.

Michael A. Kocjancic, a sophomore in forest technology from Kane, practices his skills near the sawmill.

Michael A. Kocjancic, a sophomore in forest technology from Kane, practices his skills near the sawmill.

The bustle in the nursing lab was echoed across campus, as visitors sought out information about their academic majors of interest.

The bustle in the nursing lab was echoed across campus, as visitors sought out information about their academic majors of interest.

An opportunity to meet the dean of construction and design technologies: Marc E. Bridgens

An opportunity to meet the dean of construction and design technologies: Marc E. Bridgens

Welding instructor Michael R. Allen was among faculty on hand in the Avco-Lycoming Metal Trades Center.

Welding instructor Michael R. Allen was among faculty on hand in the Avco-Lycoming Metal Trades Center.

Off-campus landlords displayed their rental properties from their traditional location in the Madigan Library.

Off-campus landlords displayed their rental properties from their traditional location in the Madigan Library.

Advisement Center computers were put to good use for online submission of admission applications.

Advisement Center computers were put to good use for online submission of admission applications.

Justine E. Cubberley, an accounting student from Hughesville (left), and JoAnn H. Pacenta, instructor of business administration/accounting (standing), are pleasant and knowledgeable advocates for the School of Business and Computer Technologies.

Justine E. Cubberley, an accounting student from Hughesville (left), and JoAnn H. Pacenta, instructor of business administration/accounting (standing), are pleasant and knowledgeable advocates for the School of Business and Computer Technologies.

Not cracking under pressure, Dakota J. Griewisch, a freshman in heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis from Forestville, N.Y., succeeds in placing an egg into a vertical pipe during the Heavy Equipment Rodeo.

Not cracking under pressure, Dakota J. Griewisch, a freshman in heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis from Forestville, N.Y., succeeds in placing an egg into a vertical pipe during the Heavy Equipment Rodeo.

A sensory experience, courtesy of the occupational therapy assistant program

A sensory experience, courtesy of the occupational therapy assistant program

Claude T. Witts, instructor of diesel equipment technology, and Lance D. Aucker, a diesel technology major from Millerstown, conduct lab tours at the ESC.

Claude T. Witts, instructor of diesel equipment technology, and Lance D. Aucker, a diesel technology major from Millerstown, conduct lab tours at the ESC.

A student prospect and his mother speak with John H. Hunter, a 2010 radiography graduate.

A student prospect and his mother speak with John H. Hunter, a 2010 radiography graduate.

Bruce A. Wehler, a member of the English-composition faculty, assisted in the Advisement Center.

Bruce A. Wehler, a member of the English-composition faculty, assisted in the Advisement Center.

Academic-based student organizations, including the Society of Plastics Engineers, were available during Open House.

Academic-based student organizations, including the Society of Plastics Engineers, were available during Open House.

Alumni of the Wildcat basketball team, Tom Little (right background) and Joe Simon – now assistant coaches – talk with interested athletes in the Bush Campus Center TV lounge.

Alumni of the Wildcat basketball team, Tom Little (right background) and Joe Simon – now assistant coaches – talk with interested athletes in the Bush Campus Center TV lounge.

With compelling visual aids, clinical supervisor Nicole J. Tanner fields questions about radiography.

With compelling visual aids, clinical supervisor Nicole J. Tanner fields questions about radiography.

The Heavy Equipment Rodeo took up the expanse of the back parking lot at the ESC.

The Heavy Equipment Rodeo took up the expanse of the back parking lot at the ESC.

Dana R. Suter, coordinator of part-time student employment and career programming, details Career Services'

Dana R. Suter, coordinator of part-time student employment and career programming, details Career Services' "Earn and Learn" program.

Armed with maps and girded with information from a just-ended overview session, Open House families exit the ACC for their next stop.

Armed with maps and girded with information from a just-ended overview session, Open House families exit the ACC for their next stop.

Alumna Erin E. Odell, '02 and '09 (right), returned to campus to aid Rhonda L. Davis, assistant professor, and Jack T. Foister, a legal assistant-paralegal studies major from Home.

Alumna Erin E. Odell, '02 and '09 (right), returned to campus to aid Rhonda L. Davis, assistant professor, and Jack T. Foister, a legal assistant-paralegal studies major from Home.

While checking out the array of equipment at Penn College, this buoyant group of students from Greater Southern Tier BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services), Coopers Plains Campus, in Painted Post, N.Y., was more than happy to pause for a photo op.

While checking out the array of equipment at Penn College, this buoyant group of students from Greater Southern Tier BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services), Coopers Plains Campus, in Painted Post, N.Y., was more than happy to pause for a photo op.

Bahram Golshan, associate professor of computer science, outlines the gaming and simulation bachelor's-degree major.

Bahram Golshan, associate professor of computer science, outlines the gaming and simulation bachelor's-degree major.

Respite and refreshment in the SASC lobby

Respite and refreshment in the SASC lobby

Professor Dennis F. Ringling commands a crowd during a forestry information session.

Professor Dennis F. Ringling commands a crowd during a forestry information session.

Student activities assistant Samantha E. Purcell staffs a booth in a Campus Center hallway.

Student activities assistant Samantha E. Purcell staffs a booth in a Campus Center hallway.

All campus dining units were open to accommodate hungry travelers, including CC Commons.

All campus dining units were open to accommodate hungry travelers, including CC Commons.

Stacey E. Hampton, coordinator of matriculation and retention for the School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies, guides visitors through the intricate layout of College Avenue Labs.

Stacey E. Hampton, coordinator of matriculation and retention for the School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies, guides visitors through the intricate layout of College Avenue Labs.

Directional signage along the campus mall (and everywhere else) supplemented the day's personal attention from the Penn College community.

Directional signage along the campus mall (and everywhere else) supplemented the day's personal attention from the Penn College community.