In the days and nights before more than 2 feet of snow prevented many employees (yes, even photographers!) from setting foot on campus, a few signs of the season were captured by Penn College’s talented eyes on the ground. To cap a 2020 full of hindrance and hardship – and, thanks to campuswide cooperation, one of ultimate perseverance – PCToday presents a few reminders that even the worst years end in hopefulness for better times.
Pennsylvania College of Technology students achieved second- and fourth-place honors in the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association’s “informative posters” event for college students.
A poster titled “Transforming Treatment for Transplant Patients,” presented by Tara L. Roupp, of Lewisburg, and Kimberly R. Bergenstock, of New Columbia, placed second among more than 40 entries from across the state.
Taking fourth place was “Going Green: Innovative Products for Periodontal Prevention and Maintenance,” presented by Madilyn G. Serenko, of Williamsport, and Erin K. Gohn, of Spring Grove.
Pennsylvania College of Technology President Davie Jane Gilmour, who also serves as vice chair of the Middle States Commission of Higher Education and its Executive Committee, recently hosted the inaugural episode of MSCHE’s “Pillars of Change” podcast series.
In the podcast, Gilmour interviews Katherine S. Conway-Turner, president of SUNY Buffalo State, who also serves as an MSCHE Executive Committee member.
The 30-minute session, which is accessible to the general public, focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion as they relate to the conversation at individual colleges and universities, the role college presidents play on campus and in their communities, the most significant challenges and opportunities, lessons learned from the events transpiring in 2020, and the overall impact on students.
Juggling full-time college classes by day and full-time emergency medical technician work by night, Brooke M. Strubel is earning her Bachelor of Science degree in emergency management and homeland security in just two and a half years. For a young woman who recommends getting out of your comfort zone to achieve your highest potential, this past year, intensified by a global pandemic, has offered an ideal environment in which to enhance her people-centered skills.
“I never thought that I’d be working during a pandemic … but it’s an experience that I won’t forget,” said the soon-to-be Pennsylvania College of Technology graduate from Strasburg. “Challenges get you out of your comfort zone, and that is the area in which you will find yourself, your passions, your strengths and, yes, even your weaknesses. This is the area in which you will thrive and improve. Everything you learn advances your knowledge and leads to personal and professional growth.”
The Fish Real Estate Leadership Challenge Course, currently under development at Pennsylvania College of Technology, will provide the campus community and beyond with stimulating outdoor activities to foster leadership and team-building skills.
Funded by a generous gift from Brent and Daria Fish – longtime supporters of the Penn College Foundation and its annual fundraising activities like the Golf Classic and Dinner and Auction – the challenge course will eventually connect the college campus to the Greater Williamsport area via the Susquehanna Greenway extension project.
Penn College’s Enrollment Management team collected bagsful of “warm items” this season, brightening this suddenly wintry season for appreciative recipients at the YWCA Northcentral Pennsylvania.
“We were honored today to receive the donated cold-weather items from Pennsylvania College of Technology,” said Dawn Linn, the regional nonprofit’s chief executive officer. “Individuals coming to the YW’s shelters, homeless or escaping abuse, are often coming with just the clothes on their backs. Clothing donations will allow staff to provide them the items they need immediately.”
An article by 2019 alumna Nina M. Hadden, recounting the challenging and rewarding opportunities that her Penn College education has brought about, has been published by the Industrial Designers Society of America. “This wonderfully creative major encompasses so many different outlets and allows you to explore just about any field you could think of,” she wrote of her four-year degree. “Though there are what could be considered ‘traditional’ jobs, I have learned that there are actually many careers that an industrial design major can go into.” Hadden’s piece fittingly mentions the quality of the college’s faculty, as Thomas E. Ask, professor of industrial design – adviser to the Society of Inventors and Mad Scientists – was elected in 2019 as IDSA’s Northeast District Educator. In that capacity, he represents all industrial design programs at colleges and universities within the region.
Pennsylvania College of Technology has announced the recipients of the student achievement awards for its December graduates.
Due to pandemic-related restrictions, graduates who would have marched in Fall Commencement ceremonies this month have been invited to participate in combined Fall-Spring Commencement ceremonies in May 2021. For more, visit the December 2020 Graduates webpage.
A Pennsylvania College of Technology senior was commissioned as an Army second lieutenant in an outdoor ceremony held Saturday morning at the college.
Joined in person on the Bush Campus Center patio by family members and online by livestreaming well-wishers, Andrew Placencia, of Reading – a Bald Eagle Battalion ROTC cadet earning a degree in automotive technology management – will be branched into the Army Ordnance Corps.
The Pennsylvania College of Technology Board of Directors on Thursday approved the selection of a Florida company to provide ERP (enterprise resource planning) software/systems to the college and accepted the audited financial statements for the college for the 2019-20 fiscal year.
The college will engage with Boca Raton-based Anthology for the implementation of CampusNexus, a comprehensive package of administrative software tools and systems to support business operations and engage with students. Anthology was created earlier this year after the merger of three companies: Campus Management, Campus Labs and iModules.
President Davie Jane Gilmour said the new ERP will replace a collection of systems, some of which are more than 30 years old.
Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Dunham Children’s Learning Center, which provides early childhood education and care to the children of Penn College students and employees, received three Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act grants totaling $69,200 from the U.S. Department of Education through STEP Inc.
The funding is being used to supplement staff salaries that were paid to the center’s employees during the pandemic shutdown period. It has also been used to buy personal protective equipment and products, such as materials to make face shields, cloth masks, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, soap, bleach and laundry detergent.
A recently retired Pennsylvania College of Technology faculty member is sharing her information technology expertise and appreciation for former students through her latest book.
Lisa Bock, who retired in May as an associate professor of computer information technology, has written “Identity Management With Biometrics,” a 368-page book that describes how to select the right biometric system and details the steps for implementing identity management and authentication.
PPL Electric Utilities is donating $8,000 through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program to Pennsylvania College of Technology in support of Penn College NOW, a dual enrollment program.
The Penn College Foundation is approved as an Educational Improvement Organization under the EITC program administered by the state Department of Community & Economic Development.
The Clay County (Florida) Habitat for Humanity chapter recently celebrated a virtual dedication for its newest homeowner, who moved with her 3-year-old son into a house on which Penn College students and staff worked over an “alternative spring break” in March. “At this site specifically, the students installed all the windows and did some other work at the property,” said Sammie L. Davis, coordinator of diversity and student engagement, in sharing the chapter’s celebratory news on YouTube. “The story of the family moving in is super touching. You will see some familiar faces in the video, too, and they mention Penn College at the end for contributing.” Davis was joined on the trip (taken before COVID-19 precautions affected the spring semester) by Residence Life’s Cathy E. Gamez, coordinator for Dauphin Hall, and 16 student volunteers.
A 2015 graduate of Penn College’s two-year automotive technology: Honda PACT emphasis, Alain Johnson is straddling two worlds: sharing through his day job what he has learned, while working to add a bachelor’s degree to his toolkit. A technical training instructor for American Honda Motor Co., Johnson recently discussed his career path in a blog post – from growing up in Jamaica to honing his workplace philosophy on campus. His advice for tomorrow’s automotive technicians? “Always do right by your customers no matter what role you play. The experiences you have with others will ultimately have an impact on your success within your career.”