Outgoing president spurs outpouring of 'Legacy' support

Published 03.31.2022

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Pennsylvania College of Technology on Thursday kicked off Legacy Day, a 24-hour celebration to unite alumni, faculty, staff, students and the campus community in honoring President Davie Jane Gilmour’s transformational leadership.

A College Relations graphic makes it obvious: Penn College employees have a top-down passion for student success!A “Hands-On Giving Zone” welcomed guests with engaging opportunities: A Global Experiences station invited guests to expand their horizons, Wildcat Athletics’ golf simulator proved popular, Nursing & Health Sciences' virtual reality station approximated patient care and the Miller Electric MobileArc Welding simulator tested steady hands. Hundreds of items were donated to the Career Gear Clothes Closet and nonperishable contributions were accepted for The Cupboard food pantry, both resources available to students in pursuit of an applied technology education.

More than 440 gifts totaling $867,807 were made to the "Tomorrow Is in the Making: Legacy Campaign for Penn College" and, thanks to some loyal Penn College champions – Blaise Alexander and family, Al and Jane Clapps, Gilmour, Dan and Monica Klingerman, Michael J. and Christina Reed, and Frank G. Pellegrino – financial contributions made during Legacy Day were matched dollar-for-dollar up to a total of $340,000. Nearly 500 people attended to express their farewell sentiments to the president, looking back with fondness and ahead with their best wishes.

Gilmour and Reed, who will assume the presidency on July 1, made a special afternoon announcement: a $500,000 institutional commitment over the next 10 years to increase the Alumni Legacy Scholarship fund that was established to provide scholarship support for dependents of Penn College alumni

– Most photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor,
and Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer;
(with contributions from Kimberly R. Cassel, director of college relations;
Kimberlee R. Rusczyk, manager of social media/online marketing;
and Becky J. Shaner, senior manager of donor relations and special events)


Pellegrino (center), a local manufacturer and generous friend of Penn College, talks with Gilmour and Reed.

Pellegrino (center), a local manufacturer and generous friend of Penn College, talks with Gilmour and Reed.

Laptops were conveniently set up throughout the first floor, facilitating online Legacy Day donations.

Laptops were conveniently set up throughout the first floor, facilitating online Legacy Day donations.

Erin S. Shultz, career events manager, helps General Services' Brian J. Coppadge, a second-shift facilities services shift manager, log his donation.

Erin S. Shultz, career events manager, helps General Services' Brian J. Coppadge, a second-shift facilities services shift manager, log his donation.

Wildcat wrestlers enjoy socializing with their former coach, Jamie R. Miller (right).

Wildcat wrestlers enjoy socializing with their former coach, Jamie R. Miller (right).

Chris S. Macdonald, assistant director of corporate relations, offers his pro-shop expertise to onlookers – including Wildcat soccer player Nicole R. Lichtinger, of Erie, an emergency management and homeland security student.

Chris S. Macdonald, assistant director of corporate relations, offers his pro-shop expertise to onlookers – including Wildcat soccer player Nicole R. Lichtinger, of Erie, an emergency management and homeland security student.

A bird’s eye view of Reed (top right) trying his hand at the welding simulator, assisted by Miller Electric's Rick Conrad, a field application engineer and college alumnus.

A bird’s eye view of Reed (top right) trying his hand at the welding simulator, assisted by Miller Electric's Rick Conrad, a field application engineer and college alumnus.

Undaunted by the gallery forming to the south, Gilmour shows she's got game.

Undaunted by the gallery forming to the south, Gilmour shows she's got game.

Macdonald, Penn College's own

Macdonald, Penn College's own "swing doctor," helps Loni N. Kline, vice president for college relations/chief philanthropy officer, get a grip.

Penn College Police Chief Chris E. Miller exhibits a winning backswing, duty belt and all.

Penn College Police Chief Chris E. Miller exhibits a winning backswing, duty belt and all.

Throughout the day, large-screen TVs featured legacy trivia and grateful shoutouts to donors.

Throughout the day, large-screen TVs featured legacy trivia and grateful shoutouts to donors.

Kline talks with Penn College Foundation board member Ann S. Pepperman near a table laden with food donations, while Jeff Brown (left), vice president for information technology/chief information officer, converses with College Relations fellow Ethan M. McKenzie.

Kline talks with Penn College Foundation board member Ann S. Pepperman near a table laden with food donations, while Jeff Brown (left), vice president for information technology/chief information officer, converses with College Relations fellow Ethan M. McKenzie.

Gilmour and Reed prepare to record a major announcement, assisted by Rusczyk and Christopher J. Leigh, video producer.

Gilmour and Reed prepare to record a major announcement, assisted by Rusczyk and Christopher J. Leigh, video producer.

Career Gear donations help job-hunters put their best look forward.

Career Gear donations help job-hunters put their best look forward.

A student/alumna drop-in ... with a unique connection: Ashley J. Hoffer (left), an applied management student from Manheim, recognized alumna Whitnie-rae Mays (’14, applied technology studies, and ’12, advertising art), as the Penn College representative who encouraged her to enroll at the college. The two met at a social event for prospective students and alumni in Hershey when Hoffer was a senior in high school. Hoffer, who earned an associate degree in baking and pastry arts in 2020, has petitioned to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in May and has already secured a job in food catering and events management at Idlewild amusement park in southwestern Pennsylvania. Mays is the design and marketing manager for Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships.

A student/alumna drop-in ... with a unique connection: Ashley J. Hoffer (left), an applied management student from Manheim, recognized alumna Whitnie-Rae Mays (’14, applied technology studies, and ’12, advertising art), as the Penn College representative who encouraged her to enroll at the college. The two met at a social event for prospective students and alumni in Hershey when Hoffer was a senior in high school. Hoffer, who earned an associate degree in baking and pastry arts in 2020, has petitioned to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in May and has already secured a job in food catering and events management at Idlewild amusement park in southwestern Pennsylvania. Mays is the design and marketing manager for Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships.

Basketball player Ja'Quela Dyer, of Dover, Del., enrolled in business administration, navigates a patient's room via the nursing simulator.

Basketball player Ja'Quela Dyer, of Dover, Del., enrolled in business administration, navigates a patient's room via the nursing simulator.

... or grabbing a snack and comfortably sitting for a while.

... or grabbing a snack and comfortably sitting for a while.

Members of the lacrosse team visit with the president, relaying that their collaborative fundraising efforts topped $16,000.

Members of the lacrosse team visit with the president, relaying that their collaborative fundraising efforts topped $16,000.

A photo from the president's days as an instructor brings a hearty laugh when presented by Sue A. Kelley, dean of business, arts and sciences, and Brian D. Walton, assistant dean of business and hospitality. Kelley gave Gilmour a homework assignment: select a favorite quote to grace a classroom wall in Klump Academic Center near the first dental hygiene lab.

A photo from the president's days as an instructor brings a hearty laugh when presented by Sue A. Kelley, dean of business, arts and sciences, and Brian D. Walton, assistant dean of business and hospitality. Kelley gave Gilmour a homework assignment: select a favorite quote to grace a classroom wall in Klump Academic Center near the first dental hygiene lab.

Employees register for door prizes upon check-in.

Employees register for door prizes upon check-in.

Floral design instructor Karen R. Ruhl pinpoints a destination at an interactive travel display highlighting the college's study-abroad programs.

Floral design instructor Karen R. Ruhl pinpoints a destination at an interactive travel display highlighting the college's study-abroad programs.

... adding to a heartwarming campuswide display of altruism.

... adding to a heartwarming campuswide display of altruism.

Well-wishers congregate early in the SASC, whether standing on the spacious first floor ...

Well-wishers congregate early in the SASC, whether standing on the spacious first floor ...

Kline smiles at remarks by John M. Confer, a 1975 alumnus and chair of the Penn College Foundation Board of Directors.

Kline smiles at remarks by John M. Confer, a 1975 alumnus and chair of the Penn College Foundation Board of Directors.

Brenda and Marlin Cromley, members of the Ambassador's Society who endowed a veterans' scholarship, talk with Gilmour near the Donor Wall.

Brenda and Marlin Cromley, members of the Ambassador's Society who endowed a veterans' scholarship, talk with Gilmour near the Donor Wall.

Giveaways await lucky attendees.

Giveaways await lucky attendees.

These student-athletes are as adept at helpfulness as they are at hoops, delivering contributions to the campus food pantry ...

These student-athletes are as adept at helpfulness as they are at hoops, delivering contributions to the campus food pantry ...

The president is surrounded by College Relations staff, the driving force behind Legacy Day.

The president is surrounded by College Relations staff, the driving force behind Legacy Day.

A key component of the Gilmour ethos is a willingness to put herself in the shoes of students. In addition to stints as golfer and welder during Thursday's festivities, she took a VR tour of a hospital room.

A key component of the Gilmour ethos is a willingness to put herself in the shoes of students. In addition to stints as golfer and welder during Thursday's festivities, she took a VR tour of a hospital room.

Among visitors to the welding demo are (gathered at left) Bradley M. Webb, dean of engineering technologies; and assistant deans Ellyn A. Lester, construction and architectural technologies, and Kathleen D. Chesmel, materials science and engineering technology.

Among visitors to the welding demo are (gathered at left) Bradley M. Webb, dean of engineering technologies; and assistant deans Ellyn A. Lester, construction and architectural technologies, and Kathleen D. Chesmel, materials science and engineering technology.

Gilmour swaps stories with Timothy M. Weigle (center), director of facilities maintenance, and Joseph A. Worth, facilities maintenance manager.

Gilmour swaps stories with Timothy M. Weigle (center), director of facilities maintenance, and Joseph A. Worth, facilities maintenance manager.

Wendy A. Miller (left), assistant dean of health sciences, and Valerie A. Myers, assistant dean of nursing, delivered handwritten cards and announced that collective gifts were designated to the Gilmour Scholarship.

Wendy A. Miller (left), assistant dean of health sciences, and Valerie A. Myers, assistant dean of nursing, delivered handwritten cards and announced that collective gifts were designated to the Gilmour Scholarship.