Welcome (or Welcome Back) to Penn College!

− Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor, and Marc T. Kaylor, student photographer

A reassuring hug ...

... between Jordan E. Edwards, a first-year pre-physician assistant major from Bloomsburg, and her father.

Jon D. Wescott, the college's new director of residence life, directs traffic.

The U-Hall Crew on the job

Transporting a big-screen TV

Many parents were surprised to find they didn't have to lift a thing, thanks to the moving-day volunteers.

Joshua P. Boley, a freshman in welding technology from Fort Lee, N.J., gets his laptop set up with Gallahad E. Mallery, assistant director of computing services.

Rommel A. Cressman, a summer conference assistant, visits with parents in a Dauphin Hall lounge area. Cressman, a sophomore in electronics and computer engineering technology, hails from Lansdale.

A welcome mat of blue bins and yellow T-shirts awaits families checking in at Dauphin Hall.

Volunteer Mark W. Campbell, a senior in automotive technology management from Leesburg, Va., takes a deserved rest while waiting for the elevator.

Devin M. Boyle, a diesel technology freshman from Pottsville (second from left), enjoyed the support of his parents (at right), girlfriend, and great-aunt (far left). "We've waited a long time for this day," said his great-aunt, Mary Kalymun, a retired University of Rhode Island professor. "It's a new beginning and everyone is playing a role in bringing a supportive sense of home to this transition. We're so proud of Devin, being able to come here and follow his dreams. We're very fortunate to have this college in this community." Kalymun earned her Ph.D. from Penn State, and mentioned that additional connection she'll now have with her great-nephew.

College President Davie Jane Gilmour directs traffic ...

Walkie-talkie in hand, Matthew Helf, coordinator of residence life at Dauphin Hall, points a parent toward the unloading line.

Grabbing a cup of much-needed refreshment is hard-working Admissions Representative Sarah R. Shott ('11, information technology: web and applications development concentration).

... and chats with excited parents and students.

Between Delaware and Clinton halls, a large crowd is captured coming and going.

Many current students eagerly volunteered to help new students move into their residence halls.

Resident Assistants Chesnya I. Cherelus (left) and Brittany L. Delmo are all smiles as the new school year begins.

Erin S. Shultz, coordinator of career development, was among many staff members who volunteered their smiles and moving muscles to the day.

A long lineup at Lancaster Hall is a perfect opportunity for conversation between new and returning students.

The Lancaster County family of Bianca L. Cruz (second from right) was proud and pleased to move her into Lancaster Hall. The first-year pre-nursing student was joined by her parents and sister on the journey from Mountville to Williamsport.

An excited Grandma captures the action with her cell phone.

Timothy J. Mallery's bright yellow sneakers were a topic of humor and conversation. The assistant director of residence life is joined here by Elliott Strickland Jr., chief student affairs officer.

A volunteer pushes a bin alongside Lancaster Hall.

A smiling team of General Services workers, ready to serve

See what we mean?

Helping the Wildcat welcome students to the first day of classes are (from left) Noelle R. Bloom, Shelley L. Moore, Erin S. Shultz and Kathy W. Zakarian, assistant director of counseling. They were among those distributing donuts, juice, fruit and goodwill at four locations Monday morning.

Helping put Penn College parents at ease, Erin S. Shultz snaps confirmation of a son's academic dedication toward his 8 a.m. class.

Allen D. Wilson, a manufacturing engineering technology freshman from Sykesville, Md., sends a first-day message home with the help of the Wildcat.

Noelle R. Bloom, an assistant director of dining services, preserves an opening-day memory.

Refreshment trucks were a popular site near Dauphin Hall.

Refreshments and food in hand, families seek out a seat under the tents.

The Moore, the merrier! Shelley L. Moore, assistant director of career services (right), brought along her family to volunteer, too! From left are husband Todd R. ('86 advertising art), daughter Gabbie and son Evan.

Pasta salad was spooned up …

... and cupcakes (appropriately sprinkled in Penn College blue) were gobbled down.

Appropriately standing near the trees of Lancaster Hall are three freshmen enrolled in forest technology: Aaron J. Andrews, of White Haven; Aaron's father, William Andrews; William's grandson, Zachary W. Taylor, of Dallas, and Justin D. Brobst, Dallas. (Yes you read that right, William brought his son and his grandson to college Saturday. Despite their similar ages, Aaron is an uncle to Zachary.) Zachary says Penn College was at the top of the list when he Googled "good forestry school." He then encouraged Aaron and a high school buddy, Justin, to join him at college. All three will room together in Lancaster Hall.

Paul R. Watson II, dean of academic services and first year programs, addresses those gathered at the Multicultural Welcome Reception in the lobby of The Gallery at Penn College ...

In addition to an ice cream social and "breakout" sessions, the Multicultural Welcome Reception allowed new students and parents to network with current students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members eager to ease the transition to college.

... joined by Kacie L. Weaver, president of the Multicultural Society and a Resident Assistant, prior to viewing the gallery's Little League photography exhibit, "In the Field of Play: The Little League Baseball World Series through the lens of Putsee Vannucci."

New students check in at College Avenue Labs ...

... where college employees met their needs and answered their last-minute questions.

A beautiful night for a campus get-together!

A reliable team for any event, Dining Services dishes up another crowd-pleaser.

Fireworks add a festive touch to start-up activities.

... Greek Life ...

Anne K. Soucy, assistant dean of construction and design technologies (left), and Counseling Services' Mary Lee L. Kelly staff an information table outside the Breuder Advanced Technology and Health Sciences Center.

In a competitive show of spirit, students see who can yell the loudest in support of their respective residence hall.

Sometimes embarrassingly and always humorously, hypnotist Kevin Hurley puts students through their paces.

... and the Off-Campus Housing Organization.

Paul R. Watson welcomes all to the Fall 2013 semester at Penn College.

Students pore over posters at a sale in the Campus Center, looking for just the right accent for an apartment wall.

From one newcomer to another: A student stands by the campus' recent addition, a message "rock" near the Bush Campus Center.

Christopher M. Scheller, 2013-14 executive vice president of the Student Government Association, and Michael L. Spear, this year’s president, strike a welcoming pose.

Textbooks, tools and attire fly off the shelves at The College Store.

Personalized T-shirts mark the occasion.

Others encouraging campus involvement included the Wildcat Events Board ...

Colorful and water-absorbent gel beads, arrayed during Campus Fest, provide a decorative and functional medium in which students can grow their "lucky bamboo."

Sunshine and shade were both in ample supply during Saturday's picnic lunch.

With classmate Brian Arnold standing by, James D. Fortenberry Jr. is pinned by Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour (right) and Carolyn R. Strickland, assistant vice president for academic services, at a Saturday commissioning ceremony.