General Information - PCToday - Pennsylvania College of Technology

Job Outlook Remains Steady in Up-and-Down Economy

Feb. 9, 2012 - 4:21 p.m.

Why would 21 Fortune 500 companies – including heavyweights General Electric, PepsiCo, Honeywell International, DuPont, John Deere, Corning and Textron – visit a career fair in central Pennsylvania in the midst of economic uncertainty? Because, experts say, even when the economy slows down, skilled, specialized positions can be hard to fill. Employers stay hungry for workforce-ready graduates. That explains the presence of the Fortune 500s at Penn College’s most recent career fair. “Our programs provide skills that are critical regardless of economic conditions,” said Jennifer McLean, Penn College’s director of career services. “It doesn't matter what the Dow Jones is at when you need health care or a working HVAC system for your building. These are not luxury items. … We produce graduates who fill needs that occur without regard for the economy. This makes many of our programs essentially recession-proof.”

Autographed Ripken Jersey Raffled in Baseball Fundraiser

Feb. 9, 2012 - 10:44 a.m.

The Penn College baseball team raised $850 by raffling a signed Cal Ripken jersey to help fund its Spring Break trip to a tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Tickets were sold over several days in the Keystone Dining Room, and the drawing took place at halftime of Wednesday night's men’s basketball game. The lucky winner? Daniel R. Pringle, a building construction technology major from Havertown.

Gallery's Featured Artist Interviewed on Public Radio

Feb. 2, 2012 - 3:01 p.m.

Fiona Powell's interview with artist Anila Quayyum Agha, whose "Rights of Passage" exhibit continues in The Gallery at Penn College through Feb. 22, will be rebroadcast at 11 a.m. Monday during Erika Funke's "ArtScene" on WVIA FM. (The piece originally aired Thursday afternoon.) Hours for the gallery, on the third floor of Madigan Library, are 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays, 2-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays (closed Saturdays and Mondays).

New 'degrees that work.tv' Episode Available for Online Viewing

Jan. 31, 2012 - 9:29 a.m.

The latest episode of Penn College’s award-winning, career-awareness television series, " degrees that work.tv , " is available online. The second of two episodes devoted to green careers, this edition explores the energy efficiency and renewable energy job sectors with the help of building science and sustainable design majors at Penn College and national experts. The episode will premiere on WVIA Public Television in April. Please show your Penn College pride today by “liking” and “sharing” the episode in your social media circles.

Campus Community Encouraged to Boost ‘Recyclemania’ Totals

Jan. 30, 2012 - 4:19 p.m.

Penn College once again is taking part in Recyclemania, an annual competition that encourages faculty/staff and students to increase their on-campus recycling rate beyond those of counterparts at other institutions. This is the fifth year for the college’s participation, which once again will be supervised by Kevin W. Johnson, General Services’ environmental specialist.

Grant Funds Support Early Childhood Education at Penn College

Jan. 26, 2012 - 2:30 p.m.

Penn College’s Children’s Learning Center received a Keystone Stars Merit Award and a Keystone Stars Education and Retention Award totaling $46,480 for 2011-12. The center uses the funds for staff development, the purchase of toys and furniture for the children, accreditation-related expenses, special health and nutrition activities, and family events. This year, a large portion of the grant will be used for improvements to the outdoor play area at the center’s new location in the college’s Hager Lifelong Education Center.

U.S. Department of Education Grant Provides Child Care Assistance

Jan. 26, 2012 - 2:27 p.m.

Penn College’s Children’s Learning Center received continued funding to help provide child care access to parents pursuing higher education at the college. Generally referred to as a “CCAMPIS” grant, which stands for “Child Care Access Means Parents in School,” the funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Higher Education and is awarded specifically to help to make high-quality child care available to parents who are college students. The college will receive $65,804 for 2011-12, the third year of the four-year grant.

Alumni Hirings Pique Company's Interest in Penn College

Jan. 25, 2012 - 3:36 p.m.

Five visitors from Erie Insurance, on campus to explore potential partnership opportunities with Penn College, toured laboratories in the schools of Construction and Design Technologies and Transportation Technology on Wednesday. Pleased at their hiring of two construction management graduates of the college, Erie representatives were afforded a closer look by school officials; Debra M. Miller, director of corporate relations; and other members of the campus community.

Penn College to Offer Free FAFSA Completion Sessions

Jan. 25, 2012 - 12:29 p.m.

The Financial Aid Office at Penn College will offer free sessions on the main campus in Williamsport in February and March to help students, prospective students and families understand how to complete the 2012-13 Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The first session will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. After an initial presentation by Financial Aid Office staff, attendees will be invited to complete and submit their 2012-13 FAFSAs using the center’s computers before the session ends at 12:30 p.m. The second session will take place from 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 20. Financial Aid Office staff will assist attendees with the online FAFSA completion process.

Students Meet Newest CAT on Campus

Jan. 24, 2012 - 4:02 p.m.

Students in Penn College's heavy construction equipment technology and diesel technology majors this week got a close look at the newest vehicle in the heavy-duty fleet of a longstanding corporate partner. Cleveland Brothers CAT brought the CT660 vocational truck, an on-highway vehicle unveiled last year by Caterpillar, to the Schneebeli Earth Science Center for students in the School of Natural Resources Management. Representing a longtime partner in the Caterpillar Excellence Fund, which regularly provides equipment, scholarships and technical support to the school, were Doug Wetzel, on-highway trucks, parts and service sales representative; Nate Chase, technical communicator; and Randy Fetterfolf, corporate recruiter .
Photos by Carol A. Lugg, coordinator of matriculation and retention, School of Natural Resources Management