Were You There? The Evolution of a College Campus
It was cool to see the history of my school. I learned many things I would have never known.
Justin Weaver
I miss the good old days at WACC.
Patty Burns, '71
This college has transformed over the years. It's amazing. So far my time at PCT has been the best time of my life.
Gerianne Tomb
Gallery Exhibit
Visitors to the retrospective exhibit were invited to share their thoughts using yellow, posted notes. Many of these have been included in this publication. You can post your thoughts on the exhibit and this publication – as well as your memories of the institution here.
A collection of photographs and artifacts from the archives of Pennsylvania College of Technology – was exhibited October 6 – November 8, 2009, in The Gallery at Penn College.
The exhibit took viewers on a journey through the institution’s rich history, from the inception of adult classes at the Williamsport High School in 1914, through its evolution into Williamsport Technical Institute, Williamsport Area Community College and present-day Penn College. Images depicted the many aspects of campus life that have remained constant through time, while providing a glimpse of people, places, and events long relegated to the annals of history.
This commemorative booklet features the images exhibited in the retrospective. It also shares comments from visitors and the individuals who helped to gather the images and information used to create the historical display.
"Were you There?"—the retrospective exhibit at The Gallery at Penn College – evoked many memories for me. Growing up, I would sometimes accompany my father, Dr. William Homisak, to W.T.I. ...
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Susan Homisak Girdon
"Were you There?" – the retrospective exhibit at The Gallery at Penn College - evoked many memories for me. Growing up, I would sometimes accompany my father, Dr. William Homisak, to W.T.I. and then later to W.A.C.C. when he'd take me along to his office or stop by to check on evening classes for which he was responsible in his position as dean of continuing education.
While viewing my father's taped interview at the exhibit, I was filled with a sense of pride. Even as his daughter, I was not fully aware of the variety and scope of his contributions to the institution over the years. The exhibit left me with two very distinct impressions:
- The almost unbelievable evolution of facilities and programs from the early years to present.
- The dedication and commitment of people like my father and his colleagues in building the foundation for the Pennsylvania College of Technology. I know for my dad, Dr. William Homisak, the professional positions he held through the years were always more than "just a job" to him. Even today at age 84 he shows great interest in the continued development of the college and reflects pride in the role he played in helping to build the foundation for the Penn College we know today.
Working with people that have been around for awhile [to assist in the selection of photos for the retrospective] was a great nostalgic and rewarding experience...
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Chalmer Van Horn, Professor Emeritus
Working with people that have been around for awhile [to assist in the selection of photos for the retrospective] was a great nostalgic and rewarding experience... I gained an appreciation of our early teachers... and how Ken Carl worked so hard writing the Community College legislation and then trying to coordinate several sponsoring school districts that formed W.A.C.C.
It was nostalgic going through all the old pictures to choose the right ones for the display. We all found the pictures from the early years challenging trying to identify them with content and dates.
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Judy Winder
It was nostalgic going through all the old pictures to choose the right ones for the display. We all found the pictures from the early years challenging trying to identify them with content and dates. Some pictures brought back memories of being a student at W.T.I., while others presented memories of years I worked at the facility while it was named W.T.I., W.A.C.C. and Penn College.
Lenore and her staff did a great job of presenting the pictures and the display featured in The Gallery at Penn College.
Retrospective Booklet
Were You There? The Evolution of a College Campus
A commemorative booklet features the images exhibited in the retrospective exhibit. It also shares comments from visitors and the individuals who helped to gather the images and information used to create the historical display.
This booklet is the first in a series of publications marking the Countdown to the Centennial, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the institution that will take place in 2014.
$9.95Order
Net proceeds from the sale of Were You There? The Evolution of A College Campus will become permanently restricted funds that will be invested to create income used for annual scholarship awards from the Penn College Endowed Alumni Scholarship.
