Seniors say farewell, then greet future graphic designers

Published 05.04.2023

Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor

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    The graphic design major celebrated two significant campus events in recent days, with more than 200 people attending a reception for “Graphic Design 2023” and with nearly 100 high school students and teachers visiting Pennsylvania College of Technology for the inaugural Graphic Design Senior Project Exhibition.

    The seniors take turns introducing themselves to the large gallery crowd.
    The seniors take turns introducing themselves to the large gallery crowd.

    In The Gallery at Penn College, the annual student portfolio exhibition, on display through 4 p.m. Friday (May 5), showcased the talents of graphic design seniors who celebrated the final achievements of their college careers alongside family, friends, alumni and industry professionals. The projects on display represent endless hours of work, and the attendees were fittingly impressed by the creative collections.
     
    During his remarks to the class, Brian A. Flynn, assistant professor of graphic design and department head, applauded them as “one of the best classes I’ve had in 25 years.”
     
    Three days later, the major hosted a first-time visit by high school guests to its senior project display, held annually in Penn’s Inn in Bush Campus Center, and the event also offered an online alumni panel in the Davie Jane Gilmour Center’s Presentation Room and campus tours led by Penn College graphic design students.

    In Penn’s Inn, tour guide Mckenna Jo Gardner (at right), a graphic design junior, leads two Montgomery students on an exploration of Elise A. Miller’s senior project display.
    In Penn’s Inn, tour guide Mckenna Jo Gardner (at right), a graphic design junior, leads two Montgomery students on an exploration of Elise A. Miller’s senior project display.

    “The 2023 Graphic Design Senior Project Exhibition was a great experience for prospective students to interact with our amazing alumni, faculty, and current students to better understand the graphic design program,” said Barb F. Di Marco, assistant dean of arts & sciences. “High school students were not only afforded the opportunity to witness firsthand the value of a Penn College graphic design degree from our virtual alumni panel, but also from our underclassmen as they facilitated the rotation of the day’s events and the soon-to-be graduates presented their senior projects. We are truly proud of our students, their growth and all of their accomplishments and future accomplishments that are yet to come!”
     
    High school students from five schools – Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, Montgomery Area High School, SUN Area Technical Institute, Technical College High School (located in Chester County) and Williamsport Area High School – engaged in the special activity, featuring Penn College graphic design alumni Austin L. Fulton, ’18, creative manager, Florida Panthers; Ali D. Petrizzi, ’20, UX (user experience) designer, Victoria’s Secret; and Ainsley R. (Bennett) Mayersky, ’17, senior designer, Soulsight. The alumni shared current design projects along with academic and career advice, and they answered questions from the teen visitors and their chaperones.

    Seed packet designs by Savanah M. Tillotson, of Williamsport
    Seed packet designs by Savanah M. Tillotson, of Williamsport
    The perfect beverage for end-of-semester studies – designed by Aneesah D. Robinson, of Philadelphia
    The perfect beverage for end-of-semester studies – designed by Aneesah D. Robinson, of Philadelphia
    Form and function flow in the gallery space.
    Form and function flow in the gallery space.
    A photographic finale to four years of hard work
    A photographic finale to four years of hard work
    Karen L. Trinh, of Harrisburg, explains her process to guests, including Sue A. Kelley (in pink coat), dean of business, arts and sciences.
    Karen L. Trinh, of Harrisburg, explains her process to guests, including Sue A. Kelley (in pink coat), dean of business, arts and sciences.
    With tulips in hand, Chloe N. Taylor, of Montoursville, converses with an art supporter.
    With tulips in hand, Chloe N. Taylor, of Montoursville, converses with an art supporter.
    A colorful display courtesy of Abigail V. Thomas, of South Williamsport
    A colorful display courtesy of Abigail V. Thomas, of South Williamsport
    Jessica A. Fink is the picture of professionalism. The graphic design senior resides in Jersey Shore.
    Jessica A. Fink is the picture of professionalism. The graphic design senior resides in Jersey Shore.
    Frank T. Kocsis III fields questions.
    Frank T. Kocsis III fields questions.
    Flynn addresses the gathering, referring to the ’23 class as “one of the best classes” he’s had “in 25 years.”
    Flynn addresses the gathering, referring to the ’23 class as “one of the best classes” he’s had “in 25 years.”
    Open doors beckon.
    Open doors beckon.
    Di Marco (at center with microphone) and Flynn (at right front) welcome the high school guests to an inaugural event.
    Di Marco (at center with microphone) and Flynn (at right front) welcome the high school guests to an inaugural event.
    On-screen alumni Petrizzi (left), Fulton (top right) and Mayersky stir design dreams.
    On-screen alumni Petrizzi (left), Fulton (top right) and Mayersky stir design dreams.
    A musical presentation strikes the right note for Jacob K. Zimmerman, a graphic design senior from South Williamsport.
    A musical presentation strikes the right note for Jacob K. Zimmerman, a graphic design senior from South Williamsport.
    Natalie K. Lincalis, of Muncy, guides a guest through her “Death by Cocoa” elements.
    Natalie K. Lincalis, of Muncy, guides a guest through her “Death by Cocoa” elements.
    A gorgeous table of “thyme” is shared by Toni E. Novosel, of Mifflinburg.
    A gorgeous table of “thyme” is shared by Toni E. Novosel, of Mifflinburg.
    The high school visitors are impressed by the expansive graphic design labs.
    The high school visitors are impressed by the expansive graphic design labs.
    In the commercial photography studio, instructor Joanna K. Yoder (at center in red) encourages exploration ...
    In the commercial photography studio, instructor Joanna K. Yoder (at center in red) encourages exploration ...
    ... and a SUN Tech student tries her hand at photographing a lemony display (complete with a cake baked by Yoder).
    ... and a SUN Tech student tries her hand at photographing a lemony display (complete with a cake baked by Yoder).
    The tour winds its way through The Gallery at Penn College to see “Graphic Design 2023.”
    The tour winds its way through The Gallery at Penn College to see “Graphic Design 2023.”

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