Penn College to Present Mentorship Awards at Commencement

Susquehanna Health System and an alumnus of Pennsylvania College of Technology's Aviation programs will be honored with "Mentorship Awards" when Penn College holds summer commencement ceremonies Aug. 10 at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport.

The new award which will be presented annually at summer commencement recognizes an alumnus/alumna and a business that have made significant or ongoing contributions to the education and development of Penn College students.

The alumnus to be honored, Glenn A. Raup, is a 1965 graduate of the College's aircraft power-plant technology program. Raup serves as manager of the Flight Services Division of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Bureau of Aviation. He has been a Federal Aviation Administration-licensed airframe and power-plant mechanic for 37 years, holding inspection authorization privileges for 32 years.

Raup has been a member of Penn College's Aviation Advisory Committee since 1988. Five years ago, he helped to establish an internship for Penn College's Aviation Maintenance Technology students with PennDOT's Bureau of Aviation. Students in the program have been provided an internship annually.

In addition, Raup has been instrumental in providing scholarship opportunities for Penn College students through the Professional Aircraft Maintenance Association, and he's been a mentor to students and faculty in the Aviation programs at the College. Raup also assisted with the design of the College's Kathryn W. Lumley Aviation Center at the Williamsport Regional Airport.

Susquehanna Health System's Mentorship Award will be accepted by Kirby O. Smith, president and chief executive officer.

The Health System's relationship with Penn College began in 1970, when Williamsport and Divine Providence Hospitals both contributed to the development of the Radiology (Radiography) major.

The Health System also has provided funding for Radiography instruction through its SHS Clinic Supervisors Grant. The Paramedic Technology and Physician Assistant majors have also benefited from the College's relationship with the Health System.

SHS provides clinical sites for students in a variety of health-related programs at Penn College, allowing the students access to state-of-the-art equipment in a real-world setting.

The Health System also has partnered with the College to provide a two-day "Introduction to Health Careers Workshop," which introduces high-school students to the health-career programs offered at Penn College and helps them explore a variety of career options to pursue after graduation.

SHS provides scholarships and loan-forgiveness programs for Penn College students, and the Health System employs many graduates of the College. Susquehanna Health System employees also hold positions on a number of advisory boards and committees at Penn College.

"Business and industry and alumni play a critical role in providing outside-the-classroom experiences for our students," said Barbara A. Danko, director of alumni relations at Penn College. "We are so pleased that alumni and their employers are loyal to the College, value the education we provide, and are always asking how they can help to continue the tradition of excellent learning. Their involvement and contributions to the College make all the difference."

To learn more about other alumni awards presented annually at Penn College, visit the Alumni Relations Web site.