Two New Board Members to Begin Service in June

The Pennsylvania College of Technology Board of Directors bade farewell to two members Craig D. Weidemann and Birch B. Phillips Jr. at Thursday's meeting.

Weidemann, vice president for outreach at Penn State, has served since 2004. Phillips, a Williamsport businessman, has served since 1997.

"We're going to miss both of you," said Chairman Robert E. Dunham in praising Weidemann and Phillips for their contributions. He and President Davie Jane Gilmour presented gifts to the departing board members at the conclusion of the meeting.

Succeeding Weidemann and Phillips on the board in June will be John J. Romano, retiring vice president for commonwealth campuses at Penn State, and Steven P. Johnson, president and CEO of Susquehanna Health. Both were appointed by The Corporation for Penn State.

In business conducted on Thursday, the board authorized the administration to purchase a property at 1144 Vine Ave. to accommodate construction of a new facility for the masonry program. The college previously purchased an adjacent property (the former Masden car wash) for the same purpose. The existing masonry space in the Carl Building Technologies Center will be converted for use by the new renewable energy program.

The board approved names for the residence hall being constructed at the west end of the main campus (Dauphin Hall) and the surrounding complex within which it will be situated (Rose Street Commons). Rose Street Commons will encompass Dauphin Hall, Rose Street Apartments and College West Apartments, as well as a new dining hall known as the Capitol Eatery and other shared Residence Life spaces. Dauphin Hall is expected to be open for the fall semester.

Anticipating a possible delay in the approval of a state budget, the board authorized continuing the college's operations at 2009-10 budgeted levels if the state budget is not passed and signed by the governor by June 30.

The board approved an engagement letter for Larson, Kellett & Associates P.C. to audit the college's financial records for the fiscal year ending June 30.

A revision to a college policy dealing with the investment of college funds was approved by the board. The revision will help make the policy more clear, reflect current internal and investment marketing practices, and provide more flexibility for the college's investment managers while maintaining appropriate protection of college assets.

In other business, the board approved changes to the college's planning process for 2010-13 to keep the campus community better informed about progress and priorities. The new initiative-based planning system will connect strategic planning to the budget and assessment processes already in place.

The board heard a presentation by Middle State co-chairs Elizabeth L. Meyer, associate professor of human services/social science, and Tom Gregory, associate vice president for instruction, titled "Middle States Self Study: Where Are We?"

Preliminary findings will be ready in January 2011. A draft of the self-study report should be ready for review in September 2011. The report is to be submitted to Middle States by February 2012, with a site visit anticipated in March or April of that year. Middle States is expected to take final action by June of 2012.

Gilmour reported to the board a list of faculty promotions and sabbaticals.

The promotions are: William J. Astore, history, associate professor to professor; Mindy L. Carr, clinical director of the paramedic program, instructor to assistant professor; Garret L. Graff, building construction technology, instructor to assistant professor; Christine M. Kessler, physician assistant, assistant professor to associate professor; John J. Miknis, civil engineering technology, instructor to assistant professor; Steven J. Moff, business administration/management/marketing, associate professor to professor; Randall L. Moser, electronics, instructor to assistant professor; and William B. Urosevich, biology (anatomy/physiology), associate professor to professor (effective March 8).

Approved for sabbaticals are: Dorothy M. Mathers, associate professor, medical/surgical nursing, who will complete doctoral studies in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program in Fall 2010 at Chatham University; and Daniel W. Yoas, assistant professor, computer information technology, who will undertake research in Spring 2011 required to complete a doctorate in computer information systems (with a concentration in information security) at Nova Southeastern University.

Gilmour said a report on the college's Foundations of Excellence initiative will be ready to present to the board in August, and she praised the efforts of the planning group thus far.

She added that she expects the college's incoming vice president for academic affairs/provost, Paul L. Starkey, to arrive on campus in June prior to officially assuming his duties on July 1.

Adam J. Yoder, incoming 2010-11 president of the Student Government Association, introduced departing and incoming SGA officers to the board.

The next meeting of the board is scheduled for 3 p.m. on June 24.