PCToday - Front Page

Jessica R. Larson Named SGA 'Student of the Month'

Nov. 19, 2009 - 2:46 p.m.

Jessica R. Larson, of Williamsport, scheduled to graduate magna cum laude in December with a bachelor’s degree in business administration: marketing concentration, was chosen as November's Student of the Month by the Student Government Association at Penn College.

Poinsettia Sale to Begin Monday at ESC Greenhouse

Nov. 20, 2009 - 2:22 p.m.

The annual poinsettia sale begins Monday (and runs through Thursday, Dec. 17) at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center greenhouse near Allenwood. This is reported to be one of the most vibrant crops in some time, and the School of Natural Resources Management invites shoppers to "come see the beautiful new colors we have this year." Hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; the greenhouse will be closed Nov. 26 and 27 for the holiday. Business is on a first-come, first-served basis, and there will be no early sales.
Photos by Lana G. Baker, ESC greenhouse attendant

Thursday Events Open Gallery's Exhibition of Indian Art

Nov. 20, 2009 - 12:45 p.m.

"Erasing Borders 2009: Exhibition of Contemporary Indian Art of the Diaspora,” the latest presentation in The Gallery at Penn College, officially – and colorfully – opened Thursday evening. A reception, gallery talk and dance performance kicked off the exhibit, on display through Dec. 13 on the third floor of Madigan Library. Gallery hours are 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday. The gallery will be closed Nov. 26-29 for the Thanksgiving break. All exhibits are free and open to the public.
Photos by Michael S. Fischer, student photographer

2009 SLC 'Breaks Out' in Learning, Laughing

Nov. 20, 2009 - 10:01 a.m.

The Student Government Association thanks all of the students who participated in the Nov. 7 Student Leadership Conference, characterized as a "wonderful day full of information and laughter." Keynote speaker Kevin Prentiss, an Internet entrepreneur who encouraged his audience to view the campus as a "dance floor," spoke to students about using exisiting services to increase group engagement and foster retention in higher education. Sara Hillis, assistant director of student activities for student services and involvement, hosted a session on "Leadership with Personality," and recent Penn College alumni Tom Garrett and Andrew Christoffel (2008-09 SGA Executive Board members) held a brainstorming roundtable on how campus leadership can help in life outside of college. Former SGA President Scott Elicker wrapped up the day with a closing speech. Upcoming graduate Micah Metzel – who provided the photographs above – was awarded a plaque for his dedication and devotion to SGA. The Student Government Association encourages all students to keep an eye out for next year’s conference!

Student Assists Instructor in Introducing Hydraulics at Middle School

Nov. 19, 2009 - 4:01 p.m.

A member of Penn College's Hydraulics Club recently helped one of his instructors with a lesson at Curtin Middle School in Williamsport. Paul A. Zenga, a diesel equipment technology/heavy construction equipment faculty member in the college’s School of Natural Resources Management, had been teaching basic hydraulic lessons to students in grades six through eight for about four weeks as part of the middle school’s Brown Bag Lunch program. He asked Zachary D. Ball, of Coal Center – enrolled in the heavy construction equipment technology: Caterpillar equipment emphasis major at the college – to assist him in teaching the Nov. 9 class because he was going over variable displacement pumps and needed an extra set of watchful eyes so he could allow the youngsters to take apart some pumps.

Student-Organized Sale Showcases Global Artisans' Unique Wares

Nov. 19, 2009 - 3:34 p.m.

Human services students at Penn College are helping the world's working poor through a public sale of handcrafted goods in the Bush Campus Center. The students arranged a Ten Thousand Villages Festival Sale, which includes a variety of unique handmade items from around the globe.
Photos by Michael S. Fischer, student photographer

Funeral to Be Held Friday for Faculty Member

Nov. 19, 2009 - 8:36 a.m.

The funeral will be Friday for Steven R. Parker, an assistant professor of physics in Penn College's School of Integrated Studies, who died Monday, Nov. 16. The college flags were lowered in memory of Parker, who joined the college faculty in Fall 2004 as an instructor of environmental technology in the School of Natural Resources Management. The service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Spitler Funeral Home, 733 Broad St., Montoursville. Friends may call at the funeral home from noon-1:30 p.m. A full obituary was published in Thursday's Williamsport Sun-Gazette.

College Expands Dual-Enrollment Offerings to Include Plastics

Nov. 18, 2009 - 6:28 p.m.

Penn College continues to expand the variety of its courses available to high school students through the Penn College NOW dual-enrollment program. The college received an $85,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to offer a selection of its plastics and polymer technology courses in high school classrooms.

Physician Assistant Students Win Statewide Competition

Nov. 18, 2009 - 6:18 p.m.

The Penn College physician assistant program won the 10th Annual Student Challenge Bowl, which was held by the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants during its state conference in Pittsburgh on Nov. 6. The team consisted of members of the Class of 2010: Melissa N. Dobson, of Elysburg; Danielle M. Bennett, of Laceyville; and Ross W. Trent, of Towanda. Daniel J. Parks, of Cogan Station, served as the alternate. Paula D. Holmes, program coordinator for the Penn College physician assistant program, served as the team’s adviser.

Faculty Member Delivers Keynote Address at Ethics Conference

Nov. 18, 2009 - 12:23 p.m.

A faculty member at Penn College recently gave the keynote address at the 11th International Conference on Ethics Across the Curriculum. William J. Astore, associate professor of history in the School of Integrated Studies at Penn College, offered the address “Civility: First Refuge of the Patriot?” It reinforced the conference’s theme of strengthening civil discourse in the United States.

Use of Appliance Timers Latest 'Green Tip'

Nov. 18, 2009 - 12:14 p.m.

Many of our appliances are powered around-the-clock, when they don’t need to be. Energy can be saved without loss of convenience if select electrical devices are de-powered when not needed. Appliance timers are small, low-powered, plug-in items available at home improvement and other stores that can control any appliance that has a plug. Good examples of uses include: turn off wireless routers when everyone is asleep, turn off air purifiers when you are at work, turn off devices that use a remote control overnight so they don’t "stay alive" when not needed, turn on and off table lamps (with energy-efficient bulbs) in the evening for security. Everything will come back on automatically according to schedule. PCToday's green/energy-saving tips are provided by the college's Energy Conservation Special Committee; Richard C. Taylor, chair, provided this week's item.

Faculty Member Makes Accreditation Visits to European Campuses

Nov. 17, 2009 - 5:42 p.m.

A professor of business administration/management and head of the business administration department at Penn College visited the European University in Switzerland during the week of Nov. 2. Terry A. Girdon served as team leader for accreditation visits to the university’s campuses in Geneva and Montreux on behalf of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

Part-Time Position Open in Student Health Services

Nov. 17, 2009 - 3:12 p.m.

Penn College's Human Resources Office is accepting applications for a Part-Time Secretary/Receptionist for Student Health Services. This person will perform receptionist functions; maintain patient chart/file system; process medical record requests; perform various data-entry and information-retrieval tasks; and provide clerical support to Student Health Services staff. This is a temporary position to start Jan. 4 through May 15, 2010. Schedule will be Monday through Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., for a total of 20 hours per week. (Will work daytime hours Jan. 4-8 for training.) Minimum hiring rate of pay: $11.01 per hour. Minimum qualifications include general office or related experience; familiarity with medical terminology; knowledge of medical record filing; good math skills; functional ability with microcomputers; and CPR and Standard First Aid certification or a willingness to become certified. Applicants must submit a completed College Application for Employment AND a letter of interest and resume to the Human Resources Office (SASC, Room 2011). Application materials must be received by Tuesday, Dec. 1. A detailed job announcement and an application for employment are available online or in the Human Resources Office. (AA/EEO)

Plastics Alumnus Opens Students' Eyes to Opportunity

Nov. 17, 2009 - 12:24 p.m.

Keith L. Jeffcoat, a 2001 alumnus of the plastics and polymer engineering technology major, recently returned to campus to speak with several plastics classes. Jeffcoat is a staff development engineer in R&D at Ethicon-Endo Surgery, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies. Jeffcoat makes the visit to Penn College annually, talking to students about his career background and trying to open their eyes to important career topics often not covered in textbooks, such as networking and taking initiative. He also hosted an open forum to answer questions about Johnson & Johnson’s co-op program and its opportunities for new college graduates.

Faculty Member Presents Paper at Sociology Association Meeting

Nov. 17, 2009 - 12:05 p.m.

A faculty member at Penn College recently presented a paper at the annual meeting of the Association for Humanist Sociology. Richard Sahn, instructor of sociology/psychology, presented his paper, "The Greensboro Massacre: Thirty Years of Truth and Reconciliation," Nov. 12 in New Orleans.