Careers 'spring' to life in weekend commencements

A sign outside The Genetti points the way for pre-ceremony logistics. Mike Reid (left), meet Mike Reed! College President Michael J. Reed was born the year that the "other Mike" – in town for his grandson's Friday commencement – graduated from Williamsport Area Community College. Applied management classmates make the most of their day. Observing its 30th anniversary, the Community Arts Center provides a magnificent venue for launching tomorrow makers into their limitless futures. Ja’Quela L. Dyer strikes a pose! In addition to her prowess on the basketball court, she scored associate and bachelor’s degrees in business management and administration, respectively. Dream chaser: Samantha R. Held, applied management Graphic design graduates turn out in full force, along with one of their mentor, Brian A. Flynn (second from left), assistant professor. A bouquet under the marquee Nursing grads Jesse D. Laird V and Jaiden A. Niehmaih Lynch celebrate along the sidewalk. "Momma" Amber M. Goodbrod, applied management, celebrates an early Mother’s Day. Accustomed to being behind the camera as student photographers, Frank T. Kocsis III and Alexis Burrell both graduated in graphic design. Among the new batch of nurses launching into the workforce Kyla P. Benner, human services & restorative justice, dedicated her grad cap artwork to her mother and sister. Hands-up: a great day! Tina M. Evans (right), associate professor of applied health studies, pauses to pose with her mentees in the processional line. Graduates joyfully engage a photographer. Flying high – just like the spirits of the commencement crowds Wildcat blue looks good on you! A gorgeous springtime bouquet helps set the stage. Joanna K. Flynn, dean of curriculum and instruction, welcomes the audience. In fine voice, Jillian T. Scanlon – instructor of human services and social science – stunningly renders "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Friday's opener. On stage, Reed and college faculty members applaud student success. The audience catches a high-wattage smile from Friday's effervescent student speaker, who – through a childhood memory of a hibiscus flower in her native Puerto Rico – reminded classmates of the unique role they play in one another's lives. "You are here for your graduation because you had the courage, strength and support to make it this far," Rivera Matos said. "I hope every single one of you can look back and see why it was so important to work so hard all of these years and gain the confidence you did." Nearing the end of his inaugural year as Penn College president, Reed tells students to "savor the taste of success, remember what it took to reach this milestone" and carry forward the lessons learned. Wearing the stole of the Black Student Union, an organization she most recently served as president, Ashlee E. Massey joins classmates in a portrait of poise and focus. Massey earned a bachelor's degree in human services & restorative justice. Kassidi D. Lenhart, a member of the Wildcat women's basketball and tennis teams, is greeted by the president. Her major (not surprisingly, given her student-athlete status): business administration: sport & event management concentration. During each commencement, President Reed turns the graduation tassel of the student speaker, as the class follows suit. Eye contact conveys presidential pride in student accomplishment – in this case, Emma Leigh Ann Stahl's work toward an accounting degree. Among several college employees with family members in the graduating class, Katie L. Mackey, assistant director of disability and access resources, presents a diploma cover to husband, Jon W., who earned a bachelor's in emergency management & homeland security. The day's import is reflected in the satisfied smile of Jashonda Scott, who graduated with an associate degree in human services & restorative justice. The college president good-naturedly banters with the graduates and the audience. Culinary arts technology graduate Kelsyn M. Hart brings a winning smile and a burst of spring to the stage. Communally committed through membership in a variety of student organizations, Zakariah K. Marshall is heartily congratulated by Nate Woods Jr., special assistant to the president for inclusion transformation. The president congratulates Friday's student speaker, the last graduate on the first day of commencement weekend. Post-commencement photo ops allow faculty and students to reunite for a sliver of time. Oh, the shine of those mylar balloons, marquee lights and smiles! Brittany S. Kattau, nursing, savors her accomplishment. A picture-perfect window, complete with a marquee reflection, backdrops the family of nursing graduate Nadya Minnick. Her brother, Tyler, and his wife, Tiana (at left), are also Penn College alumni; Tiana is a part-time faculty member in dental hygiene. Brand-new nursing alumna Cali N. Camden and family celebrate the day. A lucky duck mascot! Kocsis carried this in his pocket across the stage. Given to him at his high school graduation, he has even taken it on vacations. West Fourth Street adopts a "street fair" flavor as grads and their supporters mingle unhurriedly in abundant mid-May sun. Gabriella Rose Ann Donato fashioned a cap as dazzling as the smiles she'll nurture as a dental hygienist. Resplendent in a Wildcat blue bow tie, Donovan Mehaffie – a business administration: management graduate – embraces life. When students shine, the joy can elicit both tears and smiles. Returning to campus after the first commencement, Mykenzie Rose Tapper and family enjoy some shade on a hot day. Tapper graduated in human services & restorative justice. A photo-worthy celebration for Wildcat softball player Taylor L. Cashner, human services & restorative justice Make a wish! The dandelion fountain (plus a touch of a rainbow at its base) make an ideal spot for photos for Hannah Maskulyak, advertising art. The president joins the alumni award honoree, his wife, children and parents in the Capitol Lounge prior to the ceremony. A Genetti Hotel ballroom buzzes with activity as students await lineup. Kasey J. Tarantino’s signed cap acknowledges friends, classmates and faculty. Tarantino, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, earned a degree in automotive technology. Andrew Bartholomay, assistant professor of forestry, and Carl J. Bower Jr., assistant professor of horticulture (right), talk with students of their majors before the Saturday morning ceremony. William D. Schwanke “engineered” a cap fitting his civil engineering technology major. Having fun near the end of a long line of graduates that snaked to the Genetti Hotel pool is Logan S. Halterman, who earned a degree in diesel technology. Staring down the path ahead. Pausing on their way into the Community Arts Center Almost a royal flush! Another future-ready grad makes his way to the theater. Final adjustments! Taking off from “23” – Ryan S. McCrickerd graduated with a bachelor’s in aviation maintenance technology. Grads remain standing as they watch members of the platform party – beloved faculty among them – process to the stage. A queue of graduates waits in the CAC's inner lobby. Wiest, the second commencement’s speaker, enjoys a pre-ceremony photo op with Woods Presidential fist bumps greet the grads as they process to their ceremony! Here, Cheon M. Steele, aviation technology and aviation maintenance technology, receives the playful honors. Steele's cap carries symbolism of his major, his alma mater, Black Lives Matter, Trinidad and Tobago, and his class year – plus the names of loved ones. A surprise hug from Dad! The first row watches the large monitor as the camera pans across the class. A stellar vocalist, Tamaka F. Carter belts out the national anthem. The financial aid assistant sang at both Saturday ceremonies. In her address, Saturday morning's speaker shares life’s highs and lows with humor – and the notion that changing one's mind isn't a mark of failure. "By switching majors, it opened so many new doors for me," Wiest said. "People will underestimate you and you might not always take a direct path, but that's OK. You never know what's to come and you never know what will be on the other side waiting for you." A golden glow The alumni awardee retraces his winding road from high school to corporate vice presidency, resulting in a continuing and consistent relationship with his alma mater. "Penn College accelerated my ability to follow my passion," Stabler said. "Penn College provided the basic foundation of what I needed to know to be successful. I base a lot of my success on Penn College and, because of this, I really enjoy giving back ... because the school has done so much for me." The crowd shares a somber moment, as a posthumous degree is presented to the father of Jared M. Kiess. Kiess died in March, just shy of attaining his bachelor's in welding & fabrication engineering technology. A 21-year Army veteran (and a minutes-old aviation maintenance technician graduate), Roger D. Bohner Jr. talks with state Sen. Gene Yaw, who chairs the college's board of directors. Bohner, who also received a general studies degree in 1982, will return this fall in pursuit of a bachelor's in manufacturing engineering technology. Stabler’s children are wide-eyed as they take in their father’s speech, watching him on the large monitor. A celebratory Jason S. Theodore, welding & fabrication engineering technology Anthony L. Silecchia responds to cheers from his fan club, pleased with his associate degree in electric power geeration technology: diesel emphasis. Though not even halfway over, 2023 is a special year, indeed! Chandler B. Orbita keeps a firm grip on his automotive technology: Honda emphasis degree, although no one can take away his significant accomplishment. Reed shakes yet another hand during the diploma-cover exchange, but it's an interaction that doesn't get tired. "As a college president and educator, acknowledging students as they embark on rewarding careers and significant life passages is a privilege that I will never take for granted," the president said. Welding & fabrication engineering technology alum Cameron J. Dickey leans in for the president's congratulatory grasp ... ... and Skylar Blaker, who successfully pursued a welding technology diploma, strolls assuredly toward her prize. Under the marquee, the sound of celebration rises. And speaking of sound ... this family kept the day lively, jingling all the way! Inside, this hefty bell helped cheer on this family’s favorite grad. Outdoors, it was used to help that new alum find them in the post-commencement crowd. Ben Rich V, who earned dual associate degrees in diesel technology and electric power generation technology: diesel emphasis, connects with family following the morning ceremony. Hannah M. Weaver secures a photo opportunity with President Reed. Weaver received a degree in civil engineering technology. A selfie for the family! “PCT Elvis” – aka automotive technology graduate Dylan F. Ceschini, celebrates with his grandparents. On a street temporarily closed to traffic, there's ample time to freeze-frame a milestone. Jacob O. Happel, a welding & fabrication engineering technology grad, grabs a fun photo with his girlfriend, Lauren Durling. Sporting matching degrees and matching bouquets are landscape/plant production graduates Carrie M. Reich (left) and Kayla A. Delp. Delp also holds a Penn College degree in forest technology. Reed bonds with families. A new alumnus touts his next career step on his grad cap. Minute by glorious minute, memories are captured. Automotive technology management grad Nicholas G. Leonard commemorates the occasion with the college’s truck fountain, his girlfriend, Adrianna E. Abate (left), a student in allied health, and his sister Juliana. Jace I. Eisen, a welding technology grad, has his photo taken before a popular campus landmark: A 1949 Dodge truck, refitted as a water feature by the college’s General Services and collision repair/automotive restoration departments. Another favorite for photos, courtesy of General Services, serves as a backdrop for Jared C. Sycalik and his parents. Sycalik earned a bachelor’s in automotive technology management and an associate in collision repair technology. With a Society of Plastics Engineers stole that perfectly matches the college’s main entrance sign (and denotes his role as vice president), James E. Drinkwater celebrates his bachelor’s in plastics & polymer engineering technology. Penn College archer and new welding & fabrication engineering technology grad Cierra N. Beatty poses with her fiancé, Colby Lahn, for a traditional pic in front of the main-entrance fountains ... ... followed by the “dip.” Zak Smith (right) celebrates with family at the college entrance. Smith earned degrees in welding & fabrication engineering technology and welding technology. The Genetti's windows may be on Fourth, but the line of commencement attendees turned up William Street while waiting for the CAC doors to open for the weekend's final ceremony. Building science & sustainable design classmates (from left) Rajni "RJ" Thompson, Haley M. Kalvin-Gold and Rodrigo Barrios-Piedra enjoy a rare moment of inactivity after four years of creative effort. Katherine A. Walker (center), assistant professor of engineering design technology, cherishes some final moments with her students. Lydia R. Anderson, heating, ventilation & air conditioning technology and plumbing, shares her inspiring message. Chillin’ in line: Lex R. Yocum, building science & sustainable design: architectural technology concentration Heating, ventilation & air conditioning technology graduates stay cool in the green shade. The processional for the third commencement makes its way down West Fourth Street. Lauryn A. Stauffer's cap reveals the secret to her campus leadership, as well as her completion of a four-year degree in automation engineering technology: robotics & automation. Always a good sport: Christine A. Limbert, building science & sustainable design That’s one way to get the photographer’s attention ... ... and here’s another. That makes two! Veteran Philippe L. Tondereau, residential construction technology & management, offers a warm smile to the camera. Hey, there! Blake M. Jacoby, construction management, hams it up. Staying strong for the final hurrah: Kyle Bohannon, engineering design technology Among the pre-ceremony entertainment are the animated faces on the large monitor. Sormilic and Sen. Yaw, on the Capitol Lounge balcony prior to the weekend's closer A glorious and historic setting for the crowning event As dean of students, Jennifer A. McLean had the honor of introducing the three commencement speakers. The third ceremony’s student representative engages the audience with a heartfelt blend of joy, gratitude and pride. "I ask my fellow graduates to recall that feeling of excitement from the first couple weeks of college, the anticipation of what was to come and the energy to start something new," Sormilic said. "These moments will be with you forever. They're the moments that make up our lives and shape us into who we are." Veterans stand for recognition at each ceremony. World traveler Bryce A. Martin earned a pair of architecture degrees. Zeroing in from the back of the house A fresh four-year graduate in heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology provides proof to a video camera of his accomplishment ... but we believe you, Andrew C. Giffi. You did it! Anthony J. Pace (left), dean of enrollment and academic operations, was tasked with reading (and correctly pronouncing) each of hundreds of names – and, where applicable, any achievement awards won by the students who crossed the stage. Preparing to make that journey is Stuart Harrison Wohlfarth, who now holds an associate degree in concrete science technology and a bachelor's in applied technology studies. Alongside him is Geoffrey M. Campbell, assistant professor of architecture, who accompanied graduates in the Construction & Architectural Technologies Division. Austin N. Deibert claims his Automation Engineering Technology Faculty Award from Flynn. Deibert also picked up a bachelor's in automation engineering technology: robotics & automation. Among the day's IT grads is Trent Statts, eager to get to work in network & user support. A pair of diesel equipment technology mentors at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center – Chris S. Weaver, assistant professor, and instructor John D. Motto (hidden, but undeniably there!) – hug Saturday afternoon's speaker. Retiring after a near-34-year career, Marc E. Bridgens – associate professor of HVAC technology – was surrounded by students Saturday afternoon. Among them was Carter J. Simcox, who graduated in building science & sustainable design: architectural technology concentration ... ... who sealed the handshake deal with the sincerest of hugs. Raymond W. Wolff, building automation engineering technology, celebrates with his mother, sister and fiancée. Sporting a medal earned for her service as a Senior Resident Assistant, Danielle E. Malesky says a grateful goodbye to construction management faculty. From left are Bradley M. Martin, instructor; Wayne R. Sheppard, assistant professor and department head; and Jason E. Krick, assistant professor. Prior to the ceremony, Sheppard handed out "Penn College Construction Management" stickers for the program graduates to put on their hard hats. Reed joins Gavin D. Fravel, electrical technology, in a post-ceremony pose. Gabe C. Cappelli, who earned a bachelor's in residential construction technology & management, had no shortage of support under the marquee. Limbert, a student-athlete (volleyball) and a Global Experiences participant, with Woods after Saturday's second ceremony “My Daddy did it!” The son of Jared W. Cossel (complete with Wildcat baby blues) celebrates his father’s accomplishments in heating, ventilation & air conditioning technology and plumbing. Filling the frame on a festive occasion are John C. Crain and well-wishers, celebrating one of Penn College's newest engineering design technology grads. Spending a beautiful day with a most attractive entourage is electrical construction alumnus Craig A. Seasholtz. It's all smiles for Savannnah J. Zimmerman, rightfully proud and happy after completing the four-year residential construction technology & management major.