Pennsylvania College of Technology held several dedication events over the weekend for its Stage X Building Program. Ceremonies took place Friday in the renovated and expanded Avco-Lycoming Metal Trades Center and the Parkes Automotive Technology Center (both facilities were open to the public Saturday) and in the science labs of the Hager Lifelong Education Center. Dedicated on Sunday were the new Children's Learning Center and the Early Childhood Education Department, moved to the LEC from the Bush Campus Center. The $45.27 million Stage X Building Program also includes construction of new student housing (Dauphin Hall), for which dedication ceremonies will be held in October.
— Photos by Joseph S. Yoder, news bureau manager; Cindy Davis Meixel, photo editor;
Jennifer A. Cline and Tom Wilson, writer-editors;
Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist; and Becky J. Shaner, alumni relations assistant
Penn College Board of Directors Chairman Robert E. Dunham and college President Davie Jane Gilmour (in welding helmets and assisted respectively by David R. Cotner, instructor of welding, and Donald O. Praster, dean of industrial and engineering technologies) sever a chain at the Metal Trades Center in lieu of a traditional ribbon-cutting.
President Gilmour and her passenger, Chairman Dunham, drive a stunning, new Acura vehicle through the checkered flag to officially open the renovated ATC.
President Gilmour and Chairman Dunham participate in the Children's Learning Center ribbon-cutting with children, parents, staff, faculty and students. The paper-chain ribbon was created by the center’s children.
Student Ethan Griffin, an automotive technology: Honda emphasis major, conducts a tour of the ATC.
Robotic welding station draws an interested crowd ...
...including Asya Allen, a Penn College alumnus, and son Alex
School of Transportation Technology alumni Gilberto Alicea, left, and Ryan Arnold do some wishful thinking about diagnostic equipment they wish was in their respective King of Prussia shops.
Early childhood education students assist a Children’s Learning Center client in cutting a paper-chain ribbon to open the college’s new early childhood education and child-care facilities.
Paul Schriner ’63 (welding alum and retiree) reunites with one of his former students, Robert Blauser, a 2000 welding graduate and 2009 recipient of the college's Alumni Achievement Award.
William C. Frick, Williamsport Technical Institute alumnus and former automotive instructor, shares a hearty greeting with Colin W. Williamson, dean of transportation technology.
James W. Fox, a retired member of the welding faculty, came back to campus for Saturday's MTC open house.
Nancy A. Grausam, assistant professor of education and early childhood education, shows off the center’s new flat-screen room-surveillance monitors that will be used by parents and students.
Guests don protective gear to safely watch a welding demonstration.
In the early childhood education facilities’ “demonstration room,” students show off sample mathematics lessons, including measuring skills.
Welding student Christopher McKelvey enlightens visitors.
A Celestron telescope stands ready for star-gazing in a classroom.
Science faculty, school administrators and dignitaries gather in one of the bright, new lecture rooms at the start of the dedication.
One of the bright beautiful new rooms in the space, looking out on the outside playground.
College officials and guests gather around a 2011 Ford Mustang convertible, the 137th vehicle in the School of Transportation Technology's fleet.
Joseph E. Leblanc, instructor of physics, shares scientific insights with a tour group.
A Honda engine helps anchor the checkered flag during remarks by President Gilmour.
Robert M. Vaughn, right, a member of the welding faculty and 1983 graduate in technology studies, talks with fellow alumni, from left, David L. and Kathleen A. Maciejewski (a part-time welding instructor) and Mary Ann Johnson, wife of college board member Steven P. Johnson and a 1999 graduate in legal assistant/paralegal studies. The Maciejewskis are members of the college's Pillar Society of planned givers: David is a 1982 graduate in computer information systems, Kathleen holds degrees in welding technology (1994) and general studies (2007).
President Gilmour, in the Ford ASSET lab with Jim Kelly, field service engineer for the Ford Motor Co.'s mid-Atlantic area.
Leah R. Tressler, a group leader in the Children’s Learning Center, leads some of her young charges in musical drum play.
A crowd gathers for the dedication of the new Honda lab in the ATC.
One of the newly refurbished lab spaces in the science area.
The chairman of the board (joined by the college president) salutes Penn College's automotive program, a hallmark of technical education and one of the oldest such offerings in the country.
Play equipment occupies what will become the “Butterflies” classroom in August 2011, as well as the yard outside the window.
Honda faculty members Chuck Probst, left, and Joseph A Tavani, right, join American Honda Motor Co. representatives Randy Bridgewater, senior training center coordinator, and Brandon Shimizu, industry education support specialist.
President Gilmour addresses a full house of early childhood education students and faculty, administrators, and parents and children of the Children’s Learning Center during the opening celebration for the facilities.
Students Ty Rhinehart, left, and Nick Anderson talk with Joe Metcalf, Class of '68.
A youngster concentrates on cutting the ribbon with some extra helping hands.
Welding instructor Mike Nau talks with alumnus Bill Berry and his wife, Heather.
Children show their adult companions the ropes in the Birds classroom.
Lenore G. Penfield, director of special events, temporarily takes the wheel.
A do-it-yourself tour of the renovated welding lab
David R. Cotner, instructor of welding (in red shirt) and William E. Mack, assistant dean of industrial and engineering technologies, talk with Saturday guests at the MTC.
A number of automotive alumni join Steven H. Wallace, assistant dean of transportation, for a tour of the expanded ATC labs.
Welding instructor Ryan P. Good, right, shares a light moment with MTC visitors.