Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor
The spirit of giving to Pennsylvania College of Technology – generosity so demonstrable that it required a new way to illustrate it – was in no short supply at Monday's annual Donor Recognition Reception.
An annual event organized by the College Relations staff, the evening celebrates the alumni, corporate partners, employees, parents and friends whose varied contributions empower tomorrow's workforce.
"Thanks to you," President Michael J. Reed told those assembled, "we've outgrown our first donor recognition wall and created a new, sustainable design that clearly showcases your proud and loyal support to thousands of campus visitors annually. Thanks to you, our students are pursuing their passions and honing the skills needed for tomorrow's workforce. And the outcomes are incredible!"
The curtain rises for the big reveal!
A curtain-raising then revealed the wall, attractively updated and moved to the north side of the Davie Jane Gilmour Center’s well-traveled first floor.
Among the students impacted is Lauryn A. Stauffer, who will graduate next month in automation engineering technology: robotics & automation and who has accepted a full-time position as an electrical technician with Coty.
"Her enthusiastic personality and team spirit are infectious," Reed said, noting her head-first dive into rigorous academics and myriad campus leadership roles – from learning Programmable Logic Controllers to planning Goat Yoga, from recruiting at her former career technical education center to starring in a video tour. "Lauryn has built quite the resume."
Loni N. Kline, senior vice president for college relations/CPO, then returned to the podium to recognize and welcome the latest additions to the Donor Recognition Wall.
Canary Labs’ Ed Stern, recognized for attaining Millionaires Society status, with the president
The honorees, newly joining the wall or moving to a higher level of giving are:
Millionaires Society ($1 million+)
Canary Labs
The Gene Haas Foundation
Visionary Society ($100,000 to $499,999)
Acutec Precision Aerospace Inc.
Compass Group North America
Construction Specialties Inc.
Frances E. Dorman Estate
Guittard Chocolate Co.
Hypertherm Inc.
Kenworth of Pennsylvania
The Lois Family
Ray and Shelley Mattie
Terrill Messer (Messer was also recognized for his legacy intentions as part of the Pillar Society.)
Miller Welding Automation
Motor Truck Equipment Co.
Pennsylvania Automotive Association Foundation
Plastic Flow LLC
Mike and Christina Reed
SEKISUI KYDEX LLC
The Jill & Roy Snyder Estate (represented by Warren and Jackie Gottshall)
Blair Soars and Pneu-Dart Inc.
Jeffrey & Angela Umosella
Heritage Society ($50,000 to $99,999)
BAE Systems Inc.
Coterra Energy
Fidelity Power Systems
Fluke Corp.
Paul Gable & Sons Electric Inc.
Annie Hackenberg
Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc.
Kenneth and Kristie Healy
Jabil Healthcare
McCormick Law Firm
Motor Truck – Thermo King
David Wilson
Ambassadors Society ($25,000 to $49,999)
4.0 Solutions
Advanced Metallurgical Group
Burnham Holdings
Kirk and Patricia Cantor
FlackTek SpeedMixer Inc.
Gilbane Building Co.
Johnson Controls Navy Systems
Sandra Lakey
Joe and Linda Loehr
Mid Atlantic Air Museum
Thomas and Rhonda Miller
Milton CAT
John and Lenore Penfield (The Penfields were also recognized for their legacy intentions as part of the Pillar Society.)
Dr. and Mrs. Arthur William Phillips Charitable Trust
Sherwood Freightliner
Robert Shimp Jr.
Software Toolbox
David L. Stiger
In addition to the warm fellowship of their shared mission, donors enjoyed food prepared by hospitality students and catering staff from Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.
Kline converses with guests.
Forestry faculty retiree Dennis F. and Patricia A. Ringling, scholarship donors and members of the Ambassadors Society
A crowd begins to gather for the unveiling and recognition ceremonies.
The president takes to the podium in this grand vertical view of the Davie Jane Gilmour Center, thanking attendees for their "generous investments that change lives and communities for the better."
Reed joins Austin Rock, of Acutec Precision Aerospace Inc., at the wall. The company is a new Visionary Society member.
To considerable applause, Reed introduces Lauryn A. Stauffer ...
... who listens at right to a summary of her academic success and campus involvement. Seated from left are Lynda M. Livingston, a member of the college board of directors; Annmarie Phillips and Ann S. Pepperman, representing the Penn College Foundation Board of Directors; and Christina S. Reed, the president's wife and a member of the Visionary Society.
Heritage Society member Kristie Healy accepts a gift from the president. Her husband, Ken, a member of the Penn College Foundation board, was unable to attend.
Kline invites the crowd to enjoy the evening's cuisine, but not before again thanking attendees "for investing in our life-changing mission."
Paul Gable & Sons Electric Inc. – a legacy company led by alumnus Gary J. Gable, president – rose to membership in the Heritage Society.
Before a video screen acknowledging the results of their philanthropy, guests line up at one of the food stations in the Davie Jane Gilmour Center lobby.
Reed shakes hands with Annie Hackenberg, whose continued contributions elevated her to Heritage Society level.
Bookended by presidents past and present, Stauffer enjoys a well-deserved evening in the spotlight. President Emeritus (and Visionary Society member) Davie Jane Gilmour returned for the festivities in the building that bears her name.
SEKISUI KYDEX LLC, which rose to the Visionary Society plateau, is well-represented by alumnus Sean Stabler (left), vice president of innovation, and Taka Yamauchi, chief executive officer.
In the same space where potential students and their parents first arrive on campus, those who support their journey enjoy an opportunity to mingle.
Joshua Stover, from 4.0 Solutions, steps up for the company's Ambassadors Society acknowledgement.
A meeting of student-focused benefactors: William F. Geyer (left) and Larry A. Ward. Geyer retired a decade ago as an assistant professor of building construction technology; Ward is an award-winning alumnus whose 2020 donation turned outdated instructional space into the Larry A. Ward Machining Technologies Center.
Sweet (and also savory) treats were crafted for the gathering by Le Jeune Chef students and staff.
The new Donor Recognition Wall lights up the room ... with plenty of room to grow!
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