PCToday

Job Outlook Remains Steady in Up-and-Down Economy

Thu, 09 Feb. 2012 16:21:56 EST

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

Thu, 09 Feb. 2012 10:44:57 EST

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

Thu, 02 Feb. 2012 15:01:51 EST

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

Tue, 31 Jan. 2012 09:29:57 EST

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

Mon, 30 Jan. 2012 16:19:11 EST

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

Thu, 26 Jan. 2012 14:30:42 EST

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

Thu, 26 Jan. 2012 14:27:45 EST

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

Wed, 25 Jan. 2012 15:36:06 EST

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

Wed, 25 Jan. 2012 12:29:51 EST

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

Tue, 24 Jan. 2012 16:02:29 EST

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

Penn College Participates in Autodesk Certification Days

Tue, 24 Jan. 2012 15:49:30 EST

Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Penn College, an Autodesk Authorized Training Center and Authorized Certification Center, is participating in this year’s Certification Days. Autodesk is providing the opportunity to become certified for $25 (two exams of your choice, associate and/or professional) – a cost savings of $175.

Project Management, Finance Courses Offered at Penn College

Fri, 20 Jan. 2012 16:35:44 EST

For companies looking to sharpen their employees’ skills in theoretical project management or basic finance, Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Penn College is offering two series of noncredit courses. Classes will be held at the Center for Business & Workforce Development on the college’s main campus in Williamsport. The courses are taught by qualified, experienced industry experts.

New Scholarship Honors Former Hartman Group President, Wife

Fri, 20 Jan. 2012 10:13:32 EST

A new scholarship fund at Penn College honoring a Linden-area man and his wife will support students in the college’s business administration bachelor-degree majors. The Henry and Donna Stutz Scholarship Fund was established by The Hartman Group, a company consisting of The Hartman Agency Inc., Hartman Employee Benefits Inc. and Hartman Financial Services, operating out of offices in Williamsport, State College and Duncannon. The scholarship honors the former president of The Hartman Group and his wife. “Hank Stutz is very committed to a technical, knowledge-based approach to property and casualty insurance and to the development of knowledge within the insurance industry,” said Michael P. Gaetano, president of The Hartman Agency Inc. “His devotion to education in the industry is now further extended to a college scholarship fund to recognize him and his wife, Donna, in support of students at Penn College.”

Penn College Awarded $15,000 Grant for Alcohol Abuse Prevention

Wed, 18 Jan. 2012 11:12:38 EST

Penn College has been awarded a $15,000 grant by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to support its mission of preventing underage and high-risk alcohol use by students. The college will use the grant to fund its ongoing underage and dangerous alcohol consumption education efforts, said Carl L. Shaner, College Health Services director and grant coordinator.

Penn College Authorized Provider for Shell Bluebook Orientation

Tue, 17 Jan. 2012 16:44:19 EST

The Marcellus Shale Education & Training Center at Penn College is offering a Shell Bluebook Orientation noncredit course. The MSETC is an authorized provider for the training, which is presented at the Center for Business & Workforce Development on the college’s main campus in Williamsport and at the college’s North Campus near Wellsboro. The four-hour safety-awareness orientation instructs students on Shell’s systematic approach for meeting and exceeding compliance with the law; management of health, safety and environmental risks; and continuous improvement. The training describes the Shell Golden Rules and the company’s 12 Life-Saving Rules.

'Green Tip' Urges Adherence to Single-Stream Recycling

Mon, 16 Jan. 2012 08:47:56 EST

It has been almost two weeks since Don Luke, Penn College facilities supervisor, energetically displayed many details of single-stream recycling at an all-college meeting for faculty and staff. How are you doing at keeping recyclable materials out of trash containers? Have you noticed how empty those trash containers are? Has your office successfully begun using nearby receptacles for recycling (as labeled) and making the effort to take true trash items to the appropriate container? "Let us encourage one another to establish habits that will save Penn College expenses and slow down the landfill’s cancerous growth," urges Richard J. Taylor, associate professor of plumbing and heating – and chair of the college's Energy Conservation Subcommittee – in this week's Green Tip.

Noncredit Business, Management Courses Offered at Penn College

Mon, 09 Jan. 2012 10:54:49 EST

For those ready to take themselves, or their businesses, to the next level, Penn College is providing a wide range of noncredit business and management courses, including 12 new offerings. The courses are presented by Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Penn College and are held at the Center for Business & Workforce Development on the college’s main campus in Williamsport. They are taught by qualified, experienced industry experts and faculty.

End to 'Business as Usual' Seen as Key to Institutional Resurgence

Fri, 06 Jan. 2012 09:57:14 EST

In an all-college message to start the new year, President Davie Jane Gilmour encouraged campus colleagues to "take on 2012 as our year of renewal, change and growth" in order to reverse lower-than-anticipated enrollment and a challenging fiscal shortfall.

Penn College Offers Noncredit Microsoft Computer Courses

Thu, 05 Jan. 2012 15:43:34 EST

For those looking to sharpen their computer skills while learning something new, Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Penn College is offering several easy-to-learn computer courses. In addition to multiple levels of Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Word, WDCE is offering five new courses: OneNote 2007, OneNote 2010, Outlook 2010, PivotTables and Publisher 2010. Call 570-327-4775 or visit on the Web (click on “Courses”) for complete course listings, descriptions and dates.

New Video, Virtual Tour Invite Visitors to See Campus Online

Thu, 15 Dec. 2011 16:29:16 EST

A campus tour no longer requires an actual trip to the campus. Penn College offers prospective students and the general public an opportunity to take a “virtual tour” of campus online. A unique tour feature is an invitation for viewers to submit campus images that could be added to the tour in the future; this gives students, alumni, employees and campus visitors the opportunity to contribute their own photos and video to the tour. The creativity of College Information and Community Relations staff members also enhances a video production available for viewing on the college website and through YouTube.