'Welcome Weekend' Conditions: Hot, Humid and Altogether Helpful

– Photos by Tia G. La, student photographer;
Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday; Kevin M. Mix, audio/visual specialist;
Barbara A. Adzema, secretary to residence life; and Katie L. Mackey, coordinator of off-campus living/commuter services

As much as anything, Welcome Weekend is about families, taking a big ol' bittersweet step ... together.

On moving day, as in life itself, it's all about maintaining balance!

A ready smile, on the verge of an exciting tomorrow

A student's belongings, piled as high as Dad's arm can reach.

Putting the college's hands-on philosophy to work in the service of new students are (from left) Kyle A. Remigio, Amanda N. Suda, Thomas E. Daros Jr. and Cody J. Allen.

Pedal power is recharged in Residence Life's bicycle storage room.

Residence Life coordinator Xavier J. Warner is flanked by RAs Wilmer I. Clase (left) and Andre J. Aldubayan.

If this building had a FitBit, how many steps would it register?

Hillary Newlin gets some help choosing among sweatshirts in The College Store ... an in-demand item for Pennsylvanians who know it won't stay 90 degrees for long.

Patrons in The College Store experience the warm smile and customer service typical of Jennifer L. McCracken, assistant director.

Kaitlyn R. Goodreau, a pre-nursing student from Port Allegany, makes a purchase in The College Store.

The college banner heralds the arrival of first-year students, entering the quad for convocation amid applause and high-fives from administrators, faculty and staff.

A celebratory connection along the march into campus life.

First-year students take their seats for their official "Welcome to Penn College."

Freshmen hear from Elliott Strickland, the emcee for convocation.

As dusk falls, students gather for the official kickoff of the Fall 2016 semester.

New students get acquainted with the Penn College Alma Mater, sung by their Connections Links.

Noah L. English, executive vice president of the Student Government Association, welcomes the "acorns" in the incoming class with confidence of their eventual growth into mighty oaks.

Espousing a prize more precious than the Olympic medals being simultaneously awarded in Brazil, President Gilmour talks of the "gold-collar jobs" for which Penn College uniquely prepares its graduates.

... to the accompaniment of music on the ground.

... fills the sky with light and color ...

A fireworks show, touch-and-go when showers hit not long before ...

Hypnotist Eric Mina, a perennial favorite ...

... puts his student volunteers through a variety of predicaments and scenarios ...

... all under a suggestive state ...

... in which anything can happen!

With their radio at the ready, RAs await Sunday's arrival of tenants of The Village.

Upperclassmen return to their Village apartments Sunday,

From left, RAs Wilmer I. Clase, Jonathan R. Hendrickson and Amanda P. Jones make the heavy lifting look easy.

Ethan M. Yoder and parents prepare to transport another cartload from their convenient curbside berth. Yoder, from the Lancaster County community of Denver, is majoring in software development and information management.

The student-aided ease of unloading provides the day's only breeze.

Mixing business and pleasure

A chaotic scene, smoothly orchestrated

Sydney M. Hernandez, of Pottstown, enrolled in information assurance and cyber security, gets moral support (and valuable maternal advice) from Jennifer Drago.

Smiles every bit as bright as the day's persistent sunshine

Admissions representative Salvatore Vitko (in yellow shirt) and Resident Assistant Mary K. Slipe (far right) help the family of James F. Bowman IV. Bowman, of Fleetwood, is enrolled in automotive technology: Honda PACT emphasis.

Welcome Weekend, Sigma Pi-style

Resident Assistants (from left) Charlie A. Geisel, Brianna M. Young and Jahyah Justice Barbour.

Elizabeth Gamble accompanies son Jeremy R., an automotive restoration technology student from State College.

And leave the driving to us!

A safety-minded trio helps keep the day's activities running smoothly. From left are Elliott Strickland, chief student affairs officer; Kimberly R. Cassel, director of student activities (soon to lead the Alumni Relations Office); and Penn College Police Officer Charles E. O'Brien.

Student leader Lauren J. Crouse gets an assist from Crystal L. Follmer, security system specialist for Penn College Police.

Lynn Y. Frey (right), assistant director of admissions, and President Davie Jane Gilmour pleasantly keep the check-in line moving with efficient answers to inevitable questions.

Seth R. Henry (second from left), and family are joined by Anthony J. Pace (right), assistant director of student activities for student organizations and orientation. Henry, of Wernersville, majors in building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration.

LaShawn C. Hayward leads daughter Jazmine S. Booker down a soon-to-be-very-very-very-familiar hallway. A first-year early childhood education major, Booker is from Oxon Hill, Md.

Timothy S. Bennett, a welding and fabrication engineering technology student from Mount Holly Springs, relaxes with his parents.

Juniata Hall roommates Emma C. Kurshan (left), a pre-dental hygiene major, and Emily D. Moose, a pre-surgical technology student – both from Red Lion – settle into new surroundings.

Even in oppressive heat and humidity, Dining Services staff keeps the mood light.

Quick, before it melts!

Residence Life coordinator Marceline Y. Salomon-Debrosse pauses for nourishment in the midst of a whirlwind day.

Welding technology major Ty A. Gornick, of Butler, is joined by Katelyn Schwab.

Breaking for lunch in air-conditioned comfort.

Ready to welcome the day's V.I.P.s are (from left) RAs Arley D. Urton, Genevieve M. Kelly and Bryonna A Aldubayan.

Campus superheroes work throughout the day to defeat dehydration.

Admissions representatives Trevor I. Brandt and Sarah R. Shott work their move-in shift ...

... then catch their breath (and maybe a few rays) in Rose Street Commons.

Pre-dental hygiene major Tasia A. Werkmeister, of Altoona, with her proud "Penn College Mom."

Ramen noodles, a timeless tradition in college cuisine.

Penn College's Cassandra D. Henderson (left) greets new members of the campus family.

Just a few of the friendly employee faces to greet Welcome Weekend guests

Welcome to Dauphin Hall!

Pausing with her parents, pre-dental hygiene student Tsahaynesh Glah-Fisher, of Willow Street, exudes eagerness and excitement.

What's that saying about "all work and no play?"

With Mom by her side, Abigail W. Stever – a pre-dental hygiene major from Perkasie – is ready for the challenges ahead.

Helping hands make light work for the family of Andrew P. Tagliamonte, of Warrington, beginning his studies in residential construction technology and management: building construction technology concentration.

That's our kind of student, sporting the trusted "PCT" brand before classes even start!

Industrial design major Jonah J. Reist-Cowell, of Lancaster, prepares for acclimation to his new home.

RAs enjoy the on-stage antics, too.

It's grab-and-go time for this member of the Wildcat soccer team, on his way to class after an early-morning practice.

David M. Rozboril, an automotive restoration technology student from Dravosburg – and a good sport on the first day of classes – tolerates photographers on behalf of the folks back home.

Joseph C. "Joey" Valenti Jr., of Fort Washington, an electronics and computer engineering technology student, has his cellphone photo taken by counselor Brian J. Schurr.

Pre-nursing student Meghan E. Lundy, of Strasburg, stops by one of Dining Services' four "Wildcat Welcome" stations Monday morning to let her family know she's on track!

The sky above the Rose Street Courtyard on Saturday evening was ominous, indeed, dousing the convocation site about an hour earlier ... but the show went on!

Adding some welcome waggin' to the proceedings, young Zoe was a hit during check-in at College Avenue Labs.

On his way to an 8 a.m. English composition class is Colt M. Hoover, of Robertsdale, enrolled in automotive technology.

Helping to ease students into back-to-school mode Monday morning are (from left) Dana R. Suter, coordinator of part-time student employment and career programming; Kathy W. Zakarian, director of counseling; Lauren Healy, head women's basketball coach and sports information/student athlete development assistant; and counselor Brian J. Schurr.