PCToday

Industry-Sponsored Wedding Cake Competition Invites Viewers

Fri, 10 Feb. 2012 11:24:43 EST

On March 2, the public is invited to view intricately decorated, multitiered cakes created by Penn College’s baking and pastry arts students. “Butterflies” is the theme for the cakes, which will be displayed as part of a contest developed for the students by an industry leader in the world of wedding cakes. Students have spent about eight weeks of class time on their cakes. The students’ cakes will be displayed for the public from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Mountain Laurel Room of the Thompson Professional Development Center at Penn College. A ceremony to announce the winners is scheduled at 1 p.m.

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.”

College Expands Tutoring Services to Reach More Students

Thu, 09 Feb. 2012 15:40:12 EST

In a continuing effort to make sure students have access to the support services that can help them succeed in their college coursework, Penn College Academic Success Center has expanded its tutoring services to new locations in 2011-12. In addition to services at the Tutoring Center and Writing Center in the Klump Academic Center, tutors are available in a variety of labs on campus, as well as in the Madigan Library and Dauphin Hall, bringing support services to students where they spend their time.

Bison Battalion Facilitates Scouting Programs at Area Malls

Wed, 08 Feb. 2012 16:52:46 EST

The Bison Battalion – the Bucknell University-based ROTC program comprising Bucknell, Bloomsburg and Susquehanna universities, Penn College and Lycoming College – assisted in Saturday's Boy Scout shows at the Lycoming and Susquehanna Valley malls. At each show, students facilitated the registration process, helped in setting up the venue, and gave away ROTC water bottles, bags, footballs and USB hubs to participants who performed a task. Those assignments included push-ups, sit-ups, gymnastics and retrieving an area code for England from the AT&T store.
Photos provided by Bison Batallion

Fraternity's Soda-Tab Collection Aids Area Charity

Mon, 06 Feb. 2012 02:51:10 EST

On Jan. 25, Penn College's Sigma Pi chapter donated 20 gallons of soda tabs to the Ronald McDonald House in Danville, culminating a group effort between the fraternity brothers and their families. "It took the brothers three semesters to collect that many tabs," Sigma Pi's Tyler J. Harry said, "but it was worth it, for it was to a good cause." Ronald McDonald House Charities, which offers a "home away from home" for families staying with hospitalized children, deals with tabs instead of entire aluminum cans because it's easier and more hygienic to collect and store them. The tabs are taken to local recycling centers, where they are weighed to determine their worth; the center then sends the local RMHC chapter a check for the total value. "The program is an easy way for people of all ages to support (the organization) and know they are making a difference for families and children," the charity's website notes.

Student’s Metal Art Helps Raise Funds for Cancer-Prevention Charity

Thu, 26 Jan. 2012 14:10:47 EST

A charity drive to raise money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation recently benefited from the artistry and technical skill of a Penn College student – Thomas D. Folino, of Centre Hall – who fabricated two pieces of metal art that were among more than 120 prizes raffled during a unique video gaming marathon.

Human Services Students Organize Events That Raise Nearly $5,000

Tue, 24 Jan. 2012 10:59:40 EST

Students in human services classes at Penn College hosted simultaneous events on campus in November that raised $4,600 for local and international causes: a Gifts That Give Hope Fair that provided opportunities for holiday shoppers to sponsor items needed by one of eight local nonprofit organizations and a Ten Thousand Villages Festival Sale that offered fair-trade handcrafted goods from around the world.

Penn College Announces Winners of Annual Food Show

Mon, 23 Jan. 2012 14:40:45 EST

Penn College announced the winners for its annual Food Show, held in December as a showcase for final projects in advanced culinary arts and baking and pastry arts courses at the college. Taking the Chef Eugene Mattucci Best of Show Award was a chocolate house made by Alisha M. Howell, a baking and pastry arts student from Waymart. Her creation depicted an old-time theater decked out for the holidays. Mattucci was chef/owner of Mattucci’s Italian Restaurant in Mount Carmel and was a longtime Penn College advisory committee member and Food Show judge.

Students Among Admirable Ambassadors for Construction Management Degree

Thu, 19 Jan. 2012 15:15:39 EST

Construction management seniors Kyle S. Baker and John M. Kriner attended the ACE Mentor Program's College Night on Tuesday at the John Wanamaker Building in Philadelphia, where high school students spoke with numerous colleges about opportunities in architecture, construction and engineering. Baker, of Walkersville, Md., and Kriner, of Lancaster, joined faculty member Brad M. Martin to inform prospective students about the Penn College construction management degree. Many students and professionals in attendance never heard of Penn College or of its prestigious program, so, as part of their senior capstone project, Baker and Kriner are helping recruit students for the four-year construction management major. "Many people do not even know about the degree or understand that construction management is a white-collar job and that there are only 66 accredited programs nationwide," said Kriner, adding that, after speaking with more than 60 prospective students, the group believes many are interested in the program.
Photo by Brad M. Martin, instructor of building construction management

Penn College Horticulture Alumnus Gains State Certification

Thu, 19 Jan. 2012 10:11:42 EST

Logan T. Richard, a May graduate of Penn College’s ornamental horticulture program, recently learned of his success in the Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist examination. The exam was administered in December by horticulture instructor Carl J. Bower Jr., who – like Richard – is one of about 300 PCHs in the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association’s Penn-Atlantic region. “Joining the ranks of certified horticulturists will help set Logan apart from the competition,” Bower said, “and the continued education to keep the certification will only strengthen its value.”

Advocate for Technical Education Enrolls at Penn College

Thu, 19 Jan. 2012 09:45:49 EST

A Montgomery County teenager, headed for Penn College's heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis major this fall, is calling attention to the sought-after careers represented by technical education – careers, he believes, that too many people take for granted. According to an article in the Upper Dublin Patch, Gabriel B. Wasserman, of Fort Washington, a student at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology in Willow Grove, is using his senior project to spread the word. "The students graduating with degrees in engineering, diesel repair, nursing and other degrees that may require some technical education are employed almost the day after they get out of school," he says. "It’s these jobs that are in demand. Replacements for these kinds of jobs are falling short, and the reason why is the lack of knowledge about the benefits of going to career and technical schools.”

OCHO Meetings Resume With New Executive Board

Mon, 16 Jan. 2012 16:33:28 EST

The Off-Campus Housing Organization welcomes its new executive board members for the Spring 2012 semester: Jarrod L. Taylor, vice president; Courtney J. Snyder, public relations; and Ashley V. Martin, secretary. Whitnie-rae Mays continues as OCHO’s president, a post she has served since the fall. The organization's last meeting of the year welcomed new members with exciting games replicating NBC’s hit game show, "Minute to Win It;" in the photo at above left (provided by Katie L. Mackey, Penn College's coordinator of off-campus living and commuter services), George S. Phillips Jr. displays skill and concentration in one of those contests. OCHO officers invite off-campus and commuter students to join them on alternate Tuesdays, starting at 8 p.m. Jan. 17 in Penn’s Inn.

Student-Focused Videos Added to College's YouTube Channel

Mon, 16 Jan. 2012 14:44:58 EST

PCToday encourages you to watch, "like" and share the latest student-focused videos added to Penn College's YouTube Channel . The short videos explore information technology with Michael F. Altobelli and on-site power generation with Rory K. Kania. Both videos were edited by Gerianne C. Tomb, a web design and multimedia major who works as a student video production assistant in the office of College Information and Community Relations. Show your Penn College Pride by sharing these videos, as well as other channel content in your social media circles!

Ethan I. Burch Named 'Student of the Month' by SGA

Wed, 11 Jan. 2012 21:52:22 EST

Chosen by the Student Government Association as November's honoree just before the semester break and announced at Wednesday's SGA meeting, Ethan I. Burch is the latest “Student of the Month” at Penn College. "As a student assistant at the Madigan Library, he goes above and beyond what is expected to not only familiarize himself with, but also to uphold, the policies and procedures of the college and the library," his nominators wrote. "In addition, he is always welcoming of any task that is presented to him, no matter how challenging."

Arts Center Tickets Available to Students

Wed, 11 Jan. 2012 13:27:35 EST

A limited number of free tickets are available to Penn College students for several of this season's Community Arts Center shows. In order to give the most students the opportunity to attend a free performance, a student with a valid ID may pick up one ticket for one performance per semester, while supplies last. For family-friendly programs, such as Jungle Jack Hanna on April 13, students can obtain up to four tickets with their ID in order to share the experience with their families. Students will have the opportunity to receive additional tickets if any remain unclaimed one week before the performance date. The CAC also offers discounted student "rush" tickets for just $10 each. Those tickets, which will be available to students an hour before performances, can only be purchased at the box-office window with a valid student ID.

List of Penn College's December Grads Issued

Mon, 09 Jan. 2012 16:03:40 EST

Penn College's roster of December 2011 graduates has been released by the Registrar's Office.

Fall 2011 Dean's List Announced at Penn College

Mon, 09 Jan. 2012 15:46:02 EST

Penn College has announced its dean's list for the Fall 2011 semester.

Civic-Minded Students, Instructor Again Take Part in 'Habitat' Build

Mon, 09 Jan. 2012 14:24:15 EST

While many of their classmates were relaxing or preparing for another semester, a group of students from the Penn College spent part of their winter break building houses with Habitat for Humanity near New York City. The students represented Penn College SMAC (Students Making a Contribution), a volunteer service organization that engages in a number of outreach efforts throughout the year.

Welcome to Penn College!

Sat, 07 Jan. 2012 12:25:09 EST

Students beginning their Penn College experience with the Spring 2012 semester were greeted with a weekend slate of activities designed to acclimate them and their families to everything the campus has to offer – in AND out of the classroom. Following check-in, brunch and a welcome in the Bush Campus Center, attendees were apprised of such diverse topics as health and safety, online resources, tips for parents, housing, disability services, and diversity. (And to students returning from their semester break, it's good to have you back!)

Student Awarded PA Dental Hygienists’ Association Scholarship

Thu, 05 Jan. 2012 14:21:38 EST

A dental hygiene student at Penn College was recently named the 2011-12 recipient of the Bailey/Hollister Scholarship from the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association. Amber L. March, a sophomore from Montoursville, received a $1,500 scholarship from the association. She is the only recipient from among 12 dental hygiene education programs in Pennsylvania.