Students welcomed with upbeat reminder: 'This is YOUR time!'

Renewing an autumnal rite of passage, Penn College greeted first-year and returning students for the start of the Fall 2022 semester during Welcome Weekend: a three-day (re)introduction to campus life that brings down the curtain on blissful summer and offers up a clean slate of possibility. President Michael J. Reed – marking his own first year – was among a collegewide throng of well-wishers and helping hands as students moved into housing, took part in enlightening and entertaining activities, and forged connections with new friends and college resources. "You've all come here with a goal of success," Reed told students Sunday night, food for thought as the first day of classes drew nigh. "This is your time, and it's time to get started!"

– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor, and Frank T. Kocsis III, student photographer
(unless otherwise noted)

Kimberlee R. Rusczyk (left), manager of social media and online marketing, and Calli R. Ackels, wellness education coordinator, are all smiles and thunder sticks.

One of the newest Wildcats! The Yoders – Sarah R., coordinator of admissions operations, and Adam J., an industrial training specialist with Workforce Development – enjoy the outing with their son.

Admissions staff rolls out the welcome wagon. From left are Maya Tsai, Sarah R. Yoder, Andrea R. Schredl, and Stephanie A. Golder and daughter.

A student's T-shirt design is replicated in a Wildcat-blue wave of hospitality.

A broad smile greets a wide-open world of opportunity.

Students beam as they are greeted by their new Penn College family.

With glitter in her hair and on her face and sign, Sarah F. Marino, gives a shoutout to women in STEM. Marino is an admissions counselor, career and technical education pathways.

Who wore it better? The new president pulls aside Andrew Scott Rucks, an information assurance & cyber security freshman from Jessup, for a photo op.

Woods warmly welcomes Treasure D. Southerland, a pre-nursing freshman from Philadelphia.

Students eagerly jump into the frame to make a memory with Reed.

Other members of the family – PageCarol Woods, assistant dean for student success at Lycoming College, and the couple's two sons (offscreen) – join in welcoming first-year students.

Indicative of the celebratory mood along the walkway, Reed jokingly asks a student to share his potato chips.

Presidential fist bumps for a parade of tomorrow makers

Lets make some noise!

Making new friends and memories!

A creative (if not altogether fashionable) use for a UPMC “backpack” giveaway

A Penn College swag toss sends sunglasses flying into the stands ...

... and keychains, too!

Rallying up the crowd is Connections Link Frankie M. Gagliardi III, an information assurance & cyber security student from Pottstown.

"Nestled in our mountains fair," new students sing the Penn College alma mater for their first time.

Student Government Association President Sydney M. Telesky, a human services & restorative justice student from Milton, urges incoming students to immerse themselves in their surroundings. "Becoming involved takes time and patience, as any good thing does," said Telesky, who also sits as a college relations assistant and a writing tutor. "But the payoff is great and will make your student experience truly phenomenal and worth the time and patience you put into it."

Leading the students in reading the Community Pledge are Connections Links Eryn Nichols and Kellor Amos Schooley. Nichols, of Rome, is enrolled in business administration; Schooley, of Turbotville, is enrolled in applied management.

The Wildcat logo dominates the panoramic scene at the center of UPMC Field, leaving little doubt who rules within!

The new president signals the crowd to "wait one second" while he takes a selfie with the next generation of industry, health care and business leaders ...

Summer flowers in the sky?

Convocation presenters watch the fireworks display at the center of the field.

The evening's vibrant grand finale, echoing across campus and beyond, starts the Fall 2022 semester with a resounding bang.

Lupe Corona-Torres, a pre-surgical technology freshman from West Grove, makes her way on the first day.

A range of construction-related majors pause for an early morning photo op with Jon D. Wescott, director of residence life and student conduct.

Maya Ann Lawton, an architecture & sustainable design freshman from Coudersport, cheerfully obliges a photographer’s request.

The beauty of campus – and coach Chander (at left in blue pants) – welcome Wildcats on the first day of Fall 2022.

On a roll to class, snacks and all, is Tido D. Bien, automotive service technician, West Chester.

Embracing the first day of class – complete with lunch tote, water bottle and bow tie – is the ever-effervescent Bradley M. Webb, dean of engineering technologies.

Directions from the top! Mikayla L. Williams, an architecture student from Philadelphia, receives guidance from President Reed on the location of her first class in the Hager Lifelong Education Center.

Campus grandeur and ideal weather are a welcoming combination.

Team effort! Athletics staff step up to the plate to encourage new students (from left): Scott E. Kennell, director of athletics; Chris H. Howard, head baseball coach; Britni E. Mohney, head coach, women’s basketball; and Ian Scheller, head coach, women’s soccer.

Inspiration for every step along "The Wildcat Way"

Class acts greet students at the front of the Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center: Woods and Tanya Berfield, director of K-12 outreach.

Woods puts a smile on the face of Bryce Dale Kaufman, a network administration & engineering technology student from Greensburg ... because nothing says "networking" like a coupon for a free snack and beverage from Dining Services!

As the college community gathers in encouragement for new students, a triumvirate of administration, faculty and staff "pregames" the event. From left are Reed; Rob Cooley, associate professor of anthropology and environmental science; and Meghan R. Delsite Coleman, assistant director of student engagement.

It's never too early to join the fun!

Reed interacts with the overflow crowd, lined up along the fence between the bleachers and the field. In his convocation remarks, he shared three suggestions from graduates: "Start strong," "Get involved" and "Own what is in your control."

An evening for friends and frivolity

An attentive assembly listens as student leader Lauryn A. Stauffer relays opportunities with the Wildcat Events Board.

Reacting to the suggestion that the hypnotist is tinted blue!

Hypnotist Eric Mina, a popular ingredient of recent semester startups, tells his on-stage subjects to imagine him sans clothing (or, at best, in a thong).

A student strikes a model's pose ...

... as classmates adopt a similar stance on the fashion runway.

A "Dancing With the Stars" assignment results in a variety of signature moves.

The DJ provides an energetic playlist ...

... as the Rose Street Courtyard is transformed for Saturday's "Glow Dance Party."

Cornhole near the Field House

The traditional poster sale outside Dauphin Hall provides myriad options for apartment decor.

"You're getting very sleepy" goes from stereotypical schtick to slumbering reality.

Taking a break from tossing beanbags, a student obliges a photogenic family in need.

Making connections at check in! Connections Link Samir Pringle (left) and Tim Liam Brown meet in Penn’s Inn. Pringle is a second-year business management student from Philadelphia; Brown is a welding & fabrication engineering technology freshman from Collegeville.

Hillary E. Hofstrom, vice president for people and culture, guides a student and his mother through the check-in process.

The sun shines on a new academic year.

Gunner T. Vuocolo and his mother, Beth, enjoy meeting the college president on their way to check in at the Bush Campus Center. From Lock Haven, Vuocolo is enrolled in culinary arts technology.

Christie A. Bing Kracker (in white shorts), director of the LEAP Center, greets families with high-fives and high enthusiasm, garnering smiles and laughter.

Resident assistants Patrick K. Kelly, Ninoshka Rivera Matos and Patrick C. Evanko (from left) take a pause in the action.

Volunteering to help move in freshmen, applied management senior Marcayla M. Lutzkanin, of Port Carbon, waits for an elevator in Dauphin Hall. Lutzkanin holds associate degrees in heavy construction equipment technology: Caterpillar equipment emphasis and diesel technology.

Sigma Pi fraternity brothers Dane S. Druckenmiller and Brian W. Brown happily offer help.

Wildcat soccer players offer an assist along with coach Tyler S. Mensch (far right).

A final family photo op before Logan C. Freil (left) moves into his residence hall. Freil, of Mahanoy City, is a freshman in electrical construction. (And, yes, his little brother is already repping in a Penn College Wildcats T-shirt.)

Resident assistant Andrew Corey Edward Darling (left) signs up for Penn College Benefiting THON with the encouragement of club officers (from left): Nathan A. Smelser, president; Kasey J. Tarantino, fundraiser chair; and Vanessa Lynn Marie Beck, finance chair.

A new and longtime member of the Residence Life staff take a breather on a picture-perfect move-in day: Caila Flanagan, beginning her first academic year as hall coordinator, Rose Street Commons, and Timothy J. Mallery, assistant director.

Penn College Police Officer Jeffrey E. Kriner good-naturedly chats up parents and new students alike.

One team! Nate Woods Jr. (fifth from left), special assistant to the president for inclusion transformation, and President Reed (in bin) enjoy a photo op with members of the U-Hall Crew outside Juniata Hall.

Sometimes, you have to play tug-of-war to pull apart those blue bins!

Wrestling up some moving-in strength are head wrestling coach Pankil Chander (far left) and team members.

Empty bins await in this picturesque scene at Clinton Hall.

Lining up for a successful new year!

A field-level view catches Sunday's gorgeous sunset and the convocation participants amassed under it. (Photo by Kimberlee R. Rusczyk)

Wheels upon wheels

Outside Dauphin Hall: resident assistants Katheryn Juarez (left) and Morgan T. Bartholomew

Blue bins ... and a sky to match

Wildcat volleyball players Hailey J. DeBrody (left) and Cheyenne E. Stein help refresh the masses with bottled water, always in demand on move-in day.

Resident assistant Nikolas J. Harnish leads the way, helping Brennan Dakota Bure move in his belongings. Bure, of Emporium, is enrolled in welding & fabrication engineering technology.

Striking the right note

The illuminating show, set off from the south side of campus, accends the exterior Field House lighting. (Photo by Kimberlee R. Rusczyk)

Stylishly appropriate footwear for a red-letter day! (Photo by Kimberlee R. Rusczyk)

... and here they are!

Woods – who repeatedly told newcomers that "This is all about you!" – reinforces that message in an earnest moment with a freshman.

Offering encouragement, both in numbers and in writing, multiple generations connected to the Admissions Office welcome the newest members of the "Wildcat Fam." (Photo provided)