Buoyant Reception Greets Students, Start of New Semester

− Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor; Dalaney T. Vartenisian, student photographer;
Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday; and Mike Cunningham, vice president for information technology/chief information officer,

After moving in and shopping at The College Store, Allen M. Atland, a freshman enrolled in information technology: technical support technology emphasis from York, pauses with his family to take in a History Trail marker near the Field House.

Sodjinin M. Kassa, center, a sophomore pre-physician assistant student from Lanham, Maryland, receives uplifting support from helpers such as Ashley Smith Nicholas, coordinator of residence life for Campus View Apartments.

A “blue crew” makes speedy work of a Clinton Hall move-in. From left are Jeffrey D. Filko, assistant director I, dining services; Bradley M. Webb, director of student affairs administration; and resident assistants Kailie T. Messerman from Lewistown and Jenna E. Kline, of Selinsgrove, both sophomores in nursing …

… while, in the same room, freshman roommates enrolled in automotive technology: Honda PACT emphasis – Dylan C. Hurrey, left, of East Greenville, and Joseph M. Brown, from Erie – meet for the first time.

Out-of-this-world characters on a door announce the names of roommates beyond.

Framed by a Clinton Hall doorway are Charlie A. Geisel, left, a freshman in pre-dental hygiene from Adah; Joseph J. Balduino, center, director of recruitment, and Eric T. McMahon, Oil City, building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration. Geisel and McMahon are resident assistants.

Student volunteers are all smiles – even early in the morning! From left: Morgan E. Blackwell, accounting, Beech Creek; Andrew A. Smith, aviation maintenance technology, Philadelphia; Zachary J. Pecze, electronics and computer engineering technology, Blairsville, and Shelby K. Heffner, nursing, Port Allegany.

Ask and you shall receive move-in assistance from Thomas E. Ask, professor of industrial and human factors design.

Patiently waiting for their next moving assignment are, from left: Katlyn J. Hackling, sophomore, baking and pastry arts, Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey; Stephanie E. Falcone, junior, applied health studies: occupational therapy concentration, Bangor; resident assistant Wilmer I. Clase, sophomore, architectural technology, Lancaster, and Steven L. Maben, culinary arts technology, Port Allegany.

It’s an “all in the family” kind of move-in day!

Bringing an extra punch of color to the day – with vivid green socks – is volunteer Joshua J. Girio, a college web programmer/analyst as well as a two-time alumnus.

Lonely blue bind await more loads for Delaware Hall.

Alumni volunteers Cory D. and Dee E. (Bilger) Keys bring heart and help to the day. The couple is among several “alumni sweethearts” who have met at the college over the years. Cory (’06, electrical occupations) and Dee (’07, business administration: management concentration) even got engaged on campus while volunteering at the Spring 2011 Open House.

Sporting Penn College sunglasses – the day's must-have accessory – are volunteers Morgan A. Atherton, left, from Newburg, and Britney L. Uroskie, of Pottsville. Both are sophomores in dental hygiene: health policy and administration concentration.

Breaking for a refreshing cup of lemonade is volunteer Joshua J. Del Sordo, a sophomore in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology from Wallingford.

Penn College’s beautiful details are perennially on hand to greet families.

Alumni volunteer Joseph J. Smith (’00, plastics and polymer technology, and ’08, technology management) brought along his daughter, McKenzie, for a little extra move-in support. Smith is a senior engineer at DSM’s biomedical headquarters in Exton.

Alumni volunteer David R. Bailey, far right, (’00 architectural technology, and ’11 technology management) joins the Blue-Bin Brigade with resident assistants Alisha M. Miley, a junior in technology management (also a ’13 baking and pastry arts grad) from State College; Calvin L. Holland, a sophomore in plastics and polymer engineering technology from Huntingtown, Maryland, and Daniel M. Trump, a junior in automotive technology management: automotive technology concentration (also a ’14 automotive technology grad), from Spring Grove. Bailey works as a market manager for an innovation group at Construction Specialties Inc., in Muncy.

There is no "paws" in the action on Welcome Weekend!

College calls for copious amounts of junk food.

Dawn M. Franck, a first-year studio arts major from Mifflinburg, brought along a prized possession she purchased on a trip to Australia – an indigenous wind instrument called a didgeridoo. Here, she is joined by her grandmother, Susan.

Bikes are secured in racks outside residence halls.

Fraternity brothers are among those pitching in to help, including Phi Mu Delta's Kevin F. Alwine, left, a sophomore in welding and fabrication engineering technology from Milton, Vermont, and Jonathan F. DeRoner, a senior in computer aided product design from Thurmont, Maryland. Alwine serves as recruitment chairman for the college’s Inter-Fraternity Council and DeRoner is a resident assistant.

While squished together in an elevator in Lancaster Hall, volunteer Danielle J. Shindledecker, center in yellow shirt, shares a laugh with “move-in clients” Lauren D. Bitting, a freshman in nursing from Lewistown; Richard N. Wynn, a residence life custodian, and Eric B. Hess, a construction management freshman from Kingsville, Maryland.

Shindledecker, a first-year applied health studies: radiography concentration major from Fairfield, then helps Bitting move into her room with the help of Emily M. Fulton, left, a sophomore in nursing from Mifflinville.

William “Ben” Barclay visits with some of his family members who are making themselves at home in his Lancaster Hall living room. The freshman from Sidman is enrolled in electrical technology.

Characters of another kind welcome new students to their dynastic door.

Making the most of their final moments together, the parents of Dan J. Flynn enjoy watching their son get settled in Lancaster Hall. Hailing from Hatboro, Flynn is a freshman enrolled in electrical technology.

A sun-dappled day between York and Lancaster halls makes for easy moving.

All the necessities of home are hauled in.

A large poster sale attracts the interest of many, including Brett D. Aldinger and his parents. Aldinger is a masonry freshman from Easton.

Perfect words for move-in day!

Waiting for an elevator in Dauphin Hall is a great time for conversation.

College graphic designer Sarah K. Patterson (’05, graphic design) enlists the volunteer assistance of her daughter, Pearl, an alumna of the college’s Dunham Children’s Learning Center, Camp ESCAPE and SMART Girls.

Rikki A. Johns, center, with her parents, a freshman in pre-dental hygiene from Adrian, enjoys Dauphin Hall move-in support from Kyle N. Johnson, left, a sophomore in landscape/horticulture technology: landscape emphasis from Liverpool; Pearl Patterson, and Sabrina Smith, far right, a freshman in baking and pastry arts from Easton.

A foosball table awaits action in Dauphin while movers converse outside.

Hopeful tennis team member Joseph H. Griep, an information technology sciences: gaming and simulation freshman from Le Roy, New York, moves his gear into Dauphin Hall.

Checking his list (and checking it twice) is Dauphin Hall resident assistant Christian H. Dressler, of Mifflintown, a senior in building automation technology.

A lineup outside Dauphin Hall

Kaylee Vasquez and her family pose for a visual memory, snapped by Admissions Representative Sarah R. Shott, right. Vasquez, second from left, is a pre-radiography freshman from North Arlington, New Jersey.

The color of choice for this incoming student's decor is quite obvious!

Cheerful Dining Services employees pause for a fun photo before serving the masses.

Physician Assistant junior Cavan R. Irvine, of York, takes time for a sweet treat. Irvine worked on campus all summer as a Connections Link.

The colors of many a Penn College cupcake: blue and white!

Under the big tent, ravenous movers find sustenance.

Tents line Rose Street Commons on the sometimes-cloudy, sometimes-sunny, somewhat-chilly August Saturday.

New students Gwendolyn A. Ntim, of Yonkers, New York, a pre-nursing transfer sophomore, and Ryan Parker, an information sciences: gaming and simulation freshman from Tower City, get acquainted on a Rose Street Commons bench. Ntim said she chose the college after perusing its website. “It seemed like a getaway from the city and, come to my surprise, it’s more than that,” enthused Ntim. “Everyone has been super-duper nice and I’m really enjoying the scenery!”

A dynamic lineup of General Services workers, ever willing to lend a helping hand.

Student volunteers find a sweet spot on the grass to enjoy lunch, rest and conversation.

Christopher G. Lemasters, coordinator of residence life for Lancaster and York halls, points the way.

A tiny dog sporting a pink crop top with white hearts brings cute comfort on a busy day.

Later, Bitting and her parents, Jeffrey and Cathy, enjoy meeting President Gilmour. Bitting’s brother, Scott A., graduated in May with a degree in computer aided drafting technology, so the Bittings moved one child out and another child into Penn College in the same year.

At check-in stations in College Avenue Labs, new student Nicholas J. Guglielmi, of Newtown Square, and his mother receive directions from resident assistant Brittany L. Delmo. Guglielmi is a sophomore transfer student enrolled in construction management. Delmo is a senior enrolled in plastics and polymer engineering technology.

On the way to Juniata!

Brisk traffic in the off-campus and commuter check-in room in CAL

In the CAL lobby, the Gibson family from Carlisle converses with Michael J. Reed, assistant dean of sciences, humanities and visual communications: liberal arts and sciences. Both Gibson sons are enrolled in information technology: information security and assurance concentration. Daulton C., in blue jacket in foreground, is a freshman; Hunter D., behind him in a white T-shirt, is a sophomore.

The Moores, the merrier at Penn College! Evan N. Moore, a freshman from Jersey Shore enrolled in automated manufacturing technology, is bookended by father Todd, a 1986 advertising art alumnus, and mother Shelley L., assistant director of Career Services.

The main campus blooms brilliantly along the College Avenue Labs sidewalk.

College Avenue Labs offered a one-stop location for various start-up necessities, including parking passes and other information. Jessica R. Wiegand, right, a resident assistant and junior in business administration: marketing concentration, stands ready to answer questions.

Shopping sisters! Alyssa L. Fink, left, a sophomore in business administration: management concentration from Jersey Shore, and her sister, Jessica, a Jersey Shore Area Senior High School sophomore enrolled in a Penn College NOW course, look for colorful gear in The College Store.

Business is booming in The College Store, with long lines in the back (for textbooks and supplies) and in front for clothing and other items.

While waiting to pick up supplies, Hannah C. Schoenly, center, her brother and parents happily pose for a family portrait. Schoenly is a first-year pre-radiography student from Hamburg.

A young visitor – daughter of architectural technology major Andrea M. Yoder, of Sunbury – is far from camera-shy in the off-campus/commuter registration area in CAL.

A first-year student awaits the convocation procession, in which the campus community lined the sidewalk to greet its newest members.

The president joins the line of well-wishers greeting new students to campus with supportive high-fives.

Welcome to the Penn College family!

College President Davie Jane Gilmour makes a public-spirited splash during convocation, answering the "Ice Bucket Challenge" with a bracing evening shower on behalf of the ALS Foundation.

The traditional Welcome Weekend fireworks display lights up the western sky.

No less diligent as a senior than he was as a freshman, Tyler J. Durham – an information technology: information assurance and security concentration major from Newville – obliges a photographer outside the Carl Building Technologies Center.

Allaying any back-home worries about his Monday morning ability to rise and shine is Jasper W. Ocker III, of Burnham. a building automation technology major, aided by Bradley M. Webb, director of student affairs administration.

Jennifer McLean, director of counseling, college health, career and disability services, takes a photo of Austin A. Taylor, of Shohola, a building construction technology student balancing the nutrition of an apple with the necessity of a donut.

Striking a playful pose, Rodrigo B. Main, a pre-physician assistant student from Mountain Home, Idaho, stops by a Wildcat Welcome tent while gearing up for his First Year Experience class.

Bitting, left, with graphic design student Kelsey L.Humphrey, of Selinsgrove, let their families know that they're making it to class on time.

Erik D. Stengline, a welding and fabrication engineering technology student from Moosic, makes a new friend on his transfer to Penn College.

Justin A. Krcelich, of Bethlehem, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology major, is among the good sports as students get down to the business of learning.

Mascot memories are made by Megan R. Fronteno,left, a pre-dental hygiene student from Cyclone, and Cheyenne M. Lutz, a pre-nursing major from Snow Shoe.

Stopping by a College Avenue Labs hospitality tent on his way to the first class of the day is Matthew E. Heller, an accounting major from Nicholson.

James S. Whack, of Westfield, New Jersey, gets a thumbs-up from a campus VIP.