Spring 2011 Commencement

Published 05.14.2011

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The Gallery at Penn College

Spring Commencement exercises were held May 13-14 at Williamsport's Community Arts Center for nearly 950 students graduating from Pennsylvania College of Technology. Friday's 3 p.m. ceremony celebrated students from the schools of Construction and Design Technologies, and Health Sciences; the 10 a.m. Saturday session focused on the schools of Business and Computer Technologies, Hospitality, and Transportation Technology; and Saturday's 1:30 p.m. festivities honored the schools of Industrial and Engineering Technologies, Integrated Studies, and Natural Resources Management.. Student speakers, respectively, were Adam J. Yoder, of Allensville, building automation technology; Sarah R. Shott, of Tresckow, information technology: web and applications development; and Kevin T. Werkheiser, of Northampton, manufacturing engineering technology. The college also bestowed two Excellence in Teaching Awards and three alumni awards, and conferred a posthumous degree upon a student whose tragic death spurred an unprecedented campus legacy.

— Photos by Joseph S. Yoder, news bureau manager;
Jennifer A. Cline and Tom Wilson, news bureau writer/editors

Adam J. Yoder

Sarah R. Shott

Kevin T. Werkheiser

The graduating class of dental hygiene students shows support for its late classmate with halos, angel wings and special messages.

Excellence in Teaching Awards were presented to Michael J. Ditchfield ...

.. and Christopher J. Holley

Staff Sgt. Donald R. Zerbe, his uniform complemented by the college's new honor cord for veterans, receives his diploma from President Davie Jane Gilmour.

A heartfelt moment, with no need for words

A tribute to Tracy A. Garis

With his dreams (and his son Eli) aloft, Derek S. Leonard makes an inspired trip across the Arts Center stage.

Graduating sisters Erin M. (center) and Valerie A. LaCerra, with their proud Mom (and Penn College student) Angela H. Colley

Continuing to inspire at his final commencement, retiring faculty member Phillip D. Landers shares a moment with graduates from the School of Business and Computer Technologies ...

... and reminisces with President Gilmour before Saturday morning's ceremony

Cheryl and Edward Garis meet the phenomenal forces behind the scholarship in memory of their daughter: Gregory J. Miller (second from left) and Adam J. Yoder.

One last peek into the mirror before leaving the staging area in The Genetti

The School of Natural Resources Management's Michael J. Gasparovic appropriately adorns his cap, complete with blinking lights.

Making an ebullient entrance

Profiles in happiness

Leah Nason offered a dazzling string rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at all three ceremonies.

Far from forgotten, Tracy A. Garis lives on in a tribute from a classmate and fellow Resident Assistant.

Siblings Scott M. (Business and Computer Technologies) and Amy N. Elicker (Hospitality) graduate from different schools Saturday ... but, serendipitously, during the same morning ceremony.

Official photographer Luther Aungst instructs serviceman/graduate Patrick Tomaszewski how to time his presidential handshake for the best commencement memento.

Distinguished Alumni Award-winner Edward J. McCabe

Anthony J. Piccari, chosen for one of this year's Alumni Achievement Awards

Justin H. Bentz, left, and Travis M. Breininger accept another of the weekend's Alumni Achievement Awards.

Friday's student speaker Adam J. Yoder gets some last-minute guidance from Carolyn R. Strickland, assistant vice president for academic services, and Elliott Strickland, interim chief student affairs officer.

A message for a late classmate

Nursing students pose during their wait to walk into the Community Art Center.

Construction management students pause in their procession.

"Stihl"-ing the spotlight with headgear from his earlier associate degree in forest technology – complete with tassel – Thomas D. Miller accepts his bachelor's degree in technology management.

Looking ahead

"Nontraditional" students from the School of Construction and Design Technologies

An embellishment to the traditional graduation cap

Adam J. Yoder's transition from student to alumnus is completed with a presidential turn of the tassel.

Robert P. VanZile sizes up the experience with his son, representing the Penn College Class of 20??

Joined by Carolyn J. Strickland and Phillip D. Landers, John C. Carlson – wearing one of the college's new honor cords for veterans – waits to cross the stage.

A day to be savored with special friends

Nursing students beam

Buoyed by the occasion, a graduate seemingly floats through the Arts Center foyer.

Joseph Loehr, associate professor of English/mass communication, celebrates with mass media communication students.

Saturday morning's speaker, Sarah R. Shott, gets a little help from her friends.

A final hurrah

Saturday afternoon's three graphic communications management graduates – from left, Abby E. Gleim, Elizabeth A. Watts and Ashlyn M. Hershberger – pause outside The Genetti.

Edward and Cheryl Garis accept the diploma that their daughter Tracy would have earned Friday.

Making a memory

At the end of a long journey, smiles are hard to contain.

President Gilmour makes it official for Sarah R. Shott.

Robert E. Dunham, chairman of the Penn College Board of Directors, authorized conferral of degrees and certificates.

Horticulture instructor Carl J. Bower with the major's five Saturday graduates

Checking the programs, during a lull in the procession

A streetside flower shop does brisk business, selling 24 dozen roses to graduates' families and friends.

Saturday's final graduate, student speaker Kevin T. Werkheiser, instantly assumes alumni status.

Corey A. Shank, who graduated Friday, and his fiancee Jaime R. Ackerman offer up a playful moment for a photographer friend with a street-level vantage.