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.

OCA Readers Encouraged to Participate If Chosen for Survey

Nov. 12, 2009 - 1:43 p.m.

One College Avenue, Penn College's quarterly magazine, is participating (at no cost) in a Council for the Advancement and Support of Education readership survey. As part of the survey, a randomly selected group of One College Avenue readers (students, employees, alumni and friends) has received an e-mail inviting participation.

Credit-by-Exam Applications Due Dec. 7

Nov. 12, 2009 - 8:44 a.m.

The School of Business and Computer Technologies reminds students that they may apply to take any 100- or 200-level course by examination for a $50 fee, provided all prerequisites for the courses are met. Applications are due in the school office (ATHS, Room E257) by Monday, Dec. 7.

Employees, Alumni to Perform With Civic Chorus

Nov. 6, 2009 - 9:12 a.m.

Two Penn College employees and several alumni will perform "The Music of Faure" with the Williamsport Civic Chorus at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 142 Market St., Williamsport. Barbara Albert, program specialist for early childhood education, and Debra Buckman, assistant professor of environmental technology, sing with the chorus. Jim Buckman, a 1988 computer science graduate of Williamsport Area Community College, will perform as a soloist in the "Faure Requiem." Other alumni singers are Karen Gair (1997, occupational therapist assistant) and Nicholas Buckman (2002. mass communications). Paula Sager, a former Spanish teacher at Penn College, also sings with the chorus. In addition to the Requiem, the concert will feature three other Faure works: "Messe Basse," "Madrigal" and the "Cantique de Jean Racine." Tickets can be purchased at Otto’s Bookstore, Robert M. Sides Family Music Center or at the door. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students/senior citizens if purchased before Nov. 15 and $12/10 on the day of the concert. The event is supported, in part, by the college.

Students Dedicate Sale Proceeds in Memory of Alumna

Oct. 30, 2009 - 2:56 p.m.

Students at Penn College will dedicate proceeds from an upcoming bread and pastry sale to a memorial fund for a former classmate. The Baking and Pastry Arts Application class will dedicate its Nov. 13 sale to raising funds for the Akacia Klick Memorial Fund. Klick, who earned a degree in baking and pastry arts in May, died July 28 due to acute intermittent porphyria, a rare genetic enzyme disorder that had gone undetected until after her graduation. She was 21. 

Penn College Names Alumni Relations Director

Oct. 22, 2009 - 11:57 a.m.

Penn College has appointed Valerie L. Fessler as director of alumni relations. Fessler, who had been employed as development officer, direct marketing for the Geisinger Foundation, Danville, began her duties at the college on Oct. 19. “We are pleased to have Valerie become a member of the Institutional Advancement team at Penn College,” said Barry R. Stiger, vice president for institutional advancement. “I am looking forward to introducing Valerie to our alumni from the Williamsport Technical Institute, Williamsport Area Community College and Pennsylvania College of Technology.”

Hundreds Attend Kickoff to Collegewide Career Fair

Oct. 14, 2009 - 9:48 a.m.

Coaching from the sidelines of the Campus Center lawn, Career Services staff served more than 200 students at the Pre-Game Tailgate to the Career Fair from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday. The event, which included free food, fun and giveaways, began a series of activities that will culminate at the Oct 20-21 Career Fair. Congratulations to the student winners, who can pick up their prizes at the Career Services Office (CC, Room 202): Joel Hague (grand-prize winner), Briana Walker, Ryan Burton, Nancy Ivie, Ilya Bezugly and Crissy Mitinger. A complete Career Fair-related schedule follows:

[View PDF file]

Culinary Alumnus to Appear on Episode of Food Network Series

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

Dean Yasharian, who earned a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts technology in 2003, will appear on an episode of Food Network series “Chopped” this week. The episode, titled “When Chefs Collide,” will premiere at 10 p.m. Oct. 13 and will be rebroadcast at 1 a.m. Oct. 14 and 8 p.m. Oct. 23.

Past, Present Beautifully Merge in Homecoming Festivities

Oct. 12, 2009 - 2:42 p.m.

From campus royalty to a historical photo exhibit in The Gallery at Penn College, to sporting events and alumni reunions, to a car show and "floats" that didn't move, the college was alive this past weekend with a "Connecting the Pieces: Past and Present Unite" Homecoming celebration. For more, visit the PCToday Photo Gallery.

College Presents Outstanding Varsity Athletic Alumni Awards

Oct. 12, 2009 - 11:20 a.m.

Penn College recently presented Outstanding Varsity Athletic Alumni Awards to Becky J. Shaner, of Hughesville, (cross-country) and Bobby String, of New Cumberland (basketball). The honors were presented by Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour during Oct. 10 Homecoming festivities at the college. To be eligible for the award, recipients must have been a varsity athlete for two or more years, demonstrate the importance of their education at Penn College, participate in leadership roles and demonstrate a commitment to the community in which they reside, and be a graduate of the college or its immediate predecessor institution, Williamsport Area Community College.