degrees that work.
Alumni

Thomas Leitzel, '76, business administration

Thomas Leitzel graduated from Penn College's predecessor institution, Williamsport Area Community College, in 1976 with a degree in business administration. He later joined the WACC administration and served as assistant director and evening and weekend coordinator in the College's Business & Computer Technologies division. On July 1, Leitzel will assume his duties as president of South Florida State College.

In a recent letter to Penn College President, Davie Jane Gilmour, Leitzel thanked her for sending him a copy of the College's Legacy of Leaders centennial publication. "What a treasure. It is a beautiful and well-chronicled publication highlighting the transformative leadership that shaped an institution to achieve acclaim on a national and international stage," he wrote. "The institution you now lead changed my life."

Patrick Butler, '07, Computer Information Technology

Patrick is a Senior Systems Administrator for the division of the Vice Provost for University Life at the University of Pennsylvania. His responsibilities include management and planning for the technology infrastructure, including 40+ servers, that supports the 30 offices that encompass University Life. He is also involved with U. Penn's Professional Staff Assembly, working to promote events for monthly paid staff.

Patrick is a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), and is involved within the technology knowledge community. This summer, he expects to earn his masters degree in Higher Education Administration and Organizational Management, from Drexel University.

Patrick is also a New Jersey-certified Emergency Medical Technician, and has been an active EMT for the past five years. He has also maintained his connection with Penn College, returning for Homecoming, and serving as a move-in assistant when Dauphin Hall opened its doors.

Shane Bierly, '10, Business Administration: Marketing

Shane is putting his Penn College experience and degree to work as a marketing coordinator for Ritz-Craft Corporation, the largest family owned, off-site built modular home manufacturer in the United States. Shane enrolled as a Web design student before transferring to Business Administration, a move he is grateful for because his Web design experience scored extra points with Ritz-Craft's marketing department. His love of design and business collide daily, as his responsibilities vary from event planning to promotional design and website maintenance. He has also completed the Dale Carnegie Skills for Success course.

Shane was recently engaged to his high school sweetheart and fellow Penn College alumna, Amber Bingaman, '12, Business Administration: Marketing.

John Hunter, '10, Radiography

John is an x-ray technician at Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg, PA. This past December, though, John put his education and experience to work in the Georgia Dome on the sidelines, assisting the Atlanta Falcons' x-ray technician during a recent NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tom Baloga, '74

Nearly 40 years after his graduation from Penn College's immediate predecessor, retired automobile executive Tom Baloga, '74, returned to campus to share lessons learned from his decades of distinguished and high-profile service.

Read more about Baloga →

William R. Burns, '05, Diesel Technology

William is a Cummins Engines instructor for Universal Technical Institute, Exton. He believes self-motivation is key, and encourages his students to focus on their education and become lifelong learners. The most enjoyable aspect of being an instructor is hearing the success stories of his graduates. When he's not in the classroom teaching, Will is busy farming a few hundred acres of corn, soybeans, and hay. He also enjoys keeping up with the latest in diesel performance at truck pulls and drag racing events.

Joshua V. Messing, '05, Paramedic Technology, and Julie D. Rutt, '04, Paramedic Technology

According to Joshua V. Messing, '05, Paramedic Technology, who deployed with the PA EMS Strike team to New Jersey (and who also supplied the above photo, taken with Julie D. Rutt, '04, Paramedic Technology), "I kept hearing of other PCT graduates being there.... I know we don't have the smallest or largest program in the state but I was amazed at the number of our alumni who were willing to give up their own time and deploy to help out. ... I found it amazing the connection through our school and the solid performance our alumni continue to show years down the road."

Other alums who responded, of whom the College is aware, include: Paul Atkin, '07, Paramedic Technology; Brittany Fry, '12, Emergency Medical Services; Robert E. Jones, '10, Emergency Medical Services; Casey S. Lowmiller, '08, Emergency Medical Services; Daniel J. Myers, '06, Paramedic Technology; Michael D. Seiler, '01, Paramedic Technology; and Justin L. Tyler, '04, Paramedic Technology.

Amy E. Lizee, '09, Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts

Amy's knowledge of the hospitality field has taken her career path to SCOPOS Hospitality Group, Ephrata. Amy designs innovative and efficient commercial kitchen spaces for hospitals and senior living facilities. She credits Penn College Chef Mike Ditchfield for challenging her to think outside the box. She also encourages students to learn and experience the industry as much as possible, stating, "... it is all about the hospitality, whether you're in the front or the back of the house."

Melani (Grady) Decker, B.S., Dental Hygiene, '07

Melani resides in Fairbanks, Alaska. She is the only registered dental hygienist at Troop Dental Clinic, working closely with the clinic's periodontist to treat all Fort Wainwright active duty soldiers. Melani also treats 4-legged soldiers, cleaning the teeth of highly trained bomb sniffing dogs that were deployed to Afghanistan. She is certified in local anesthesia. Melani was a member of Penn College's women's volleyball team and has continued her love of fitness. She recently became a certified Zumba instructor and participated in her first marathon relay.

Rebecca L. Scura, '08, Emergency Medical Services

Alumna Rebecca L. Scura, '08, Emergency Medical Services, (pictured below, at left) was recently honored by Downingtown (PA) Borough for a recent cardiac arrest save. Says Scura, a medic, "It's times like these when I realize how lucky I am to have learned from the best, and thank God for doing the rest!"

George Logue III, '10, Culinary Arts & Systems

George owns and operates Acme Barbecue & Catering with his family, in Williamsport. Since his graduation, he takes pleasure in seeing his instructors from time to time, especially if they stop in his restaurant and he can cook for them. Of his Penn College education, George says, "Penn College really gives anyone who attends a well-rounded education; they don't cut corners. I think their courses are spot on with day to day restaurant and catering operations." George looks forward to the opening of a second location in Muncy, PA, and heading out on the competition circuit. (7/12)

Rosemary Somerville, '10, Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Rosemary is working in the Manufacturing Apprentice Program at GE Transportation. The four-year program sees its members rotate into new positions every six months, allowing members to gain an overall understanding of the manufacturing processes and organization. The positions include process or materials advisors, quality advisors, methods engineering, Lean/Six Sigma, and analysts. Along with her co-workers, Rose actively volunteers, having helped to paint a church, clean a park, collect money for March of Dimes, and work at a soup kitchen. Of her Penn College education, Rose says, "The greatest strength of my Penn College education is the hands-on learning." She says the top three must-have skills employers are looking for are personality, technical knowledge, and quick thinking.