A new Williamsport High School opened in 1914. The neoclassical structure housed a small industrial arts shop believed to be the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. It offered a place for both high school students and adults to gain skills in order to secure jobs in a changing workforce.
Over the next century, leaders would arise from the halls of this school - men and women who not only influenced local students, but also earned national acclaim for their bold experimentation in forging lasting connections between education, government and industry. The legacy of these leaders is celebrated now as the institution marks its Countdown to the Centennial in 2014.
Legacy of Leaders
Book
The leaders represented on this page are featured in a 100+ page book, Legacy of Leaders. If you would like to read more about the leaders of WTI, WACC and Penn College you may purchase the book below.
Dr. George H.
Parkes
1859-1983
"Every man had a little of St. George in him ... If you want to get along with people put them in a position to slay a dragon every day."
Williamsport High School
Faculty and vocational program director (1920-41)
Williamsport Technical Institute
Founding director (1941-52)
Audio of interview, part 1 (MP3; 1:01:00; 57MB)
Audio of interview, part 2 (MP3; 1:08:13; 63MB)
Dr. Kenneth E.
Carl
1913-2008
"With us, 'education for all' is not simply a well-turned phrase; it is the philosophy that guides our teaching practices."
Williamsport Technical Institute
Director (1952-65)
Williamsport Area Community College
President (1965-73)
Skip to a section in the video
- On training physically handicapped students in 1937...
- On developing the Vocational Diagnostics Program in 1951...
- On where he taught drafting classes...
- On industry support for Williamsport Technical Institute...
- On securing specific donations from industry...
- On his involvement in creating the community college system in Pennsylvania...
Audio of interview (MP3; 1:10:43; 66MB)
Dr. C. Herschel
Jones
"I say to you that leadership is a two-way thing. It is more than command. It is reasonable direction and reasoned response."
Williamsport Area Community College
Vice President (1973-74)
Dr. William H.
Feddersen
"I like that open-door philosophy."
Williamsport Area Community College
President (1974-80)
Skip to a section in the video
- On why he wanted to lead a community college...
- On applying for the position of president as a 33-year-old...
- On facility usage at the college...
- On establishing goals at the college...
- On his top priority upon arrival...
- On improving faculty and administration relations...
- On importance of basic skills for students...
- On working with the sponsoring school districts...
- On the need for building renovations at the college...
- On finding the right jobs for the right people...
Audio of interview (MP3; 2:08:04; 117MB)
Dr. David M.
Heiney
"I will have to admit ... that, as the time went on, it became kind of fun to be No. 1."
Williamsport Area Community College
Interim President (1980-81)
Skip to a section in the video
- On his impression of Williamsport Technical Institute as a high school student...
- On working as a diagnostic assistant at Williamsport Technical Institute...
- On the college of transitioning to a community college...
- On the excitement of becoming a community college...
- On why enrollment didn't immediately increase...
- On Grant Berry Sr., one of his first supervisors at the college...
- On Kenneth Carl, the college's first president...
- On discovering he could become interim president...
- On enjoying his role as interim president...
- On his time at the institution...
Audio of interview (MP3; 1:15:46; 69MB)
Dr. Robert L.
Breuder
"I was willing to upset the equilibrium."
Williamsport Area Community College
Pennsylvania College of Technology
President (1981-97)
Skip to a section in the video
- On his desire to lead...
- On coming to Williamsport for his interview...
- On his reaction to being named president of Williamsport Area Community College...
- On the strength of the college when he took over...
- On the college's appearance when he became president...
- On the importance of improving the college's appearance...
- On instituting change...
- On the sponsorship crisis...
- On devising the idea of a merger...
- On identifying Penn State for the merger...
- On Penn State's reaction to the merger idea...
- On developing the name Pennsylvania College of Technology...
- On the importance of adding baccalaureate degrees...
- On the construction of the Victorian House...
Audio of interview (MP3; 1:49:27; 100MB)
Dr. Davie Jane
Gilmour
"People make the difference."
Pennsylvania College of Technology
President (1998-)
Skip to a section in the video
- On her initial career choice...
- On her interest in teaching...
- On living through the sponsorship crisis...
- On devloping baccalaureate degrees...
- On her challenges as the interim president...
- On how her life changes as president...
- On interacting with students...
- On what makes a good leader...
- On one of her key mentors...
- On always being prepared...
- On the college's past presidents...
- On the college's future...
Audio of interview (MP3; 1:56:39; 106MB)
Leaders book
Legacy of leaders
"Legacy of Leaders," the second publication in Pennsylvania College of Technology's Centennial series, explores the institution's growth as reflected through its vibrant and visionary administrators. From George H. Parkes - who transformed a small industrial shop into a postwar model of adult education at Williamsport Technical Institute - to current Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour, the latest volume retraces the inspiring lineage behind a 100-year tradition of educational excellence.
$9.95Order
Net proceeds from the sale of Legacy of Leaders will become permanently restricted funds that will be invested to create income used for annual scholarship awards from the Penn College Endowed Alumni Scholarship.
Submit your story or image
Do you have a fond memory during your time at WTI, WACC, or Penn College? We would love to hear about it. Your story may be a few sentences or it may fill volumes. Either way, you have a story to share and we want to hear it!
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