Penn College students, faculty advocate at 'Capital Day'

Two Pennsylvania College of Technology welding students and their faculty member were among those traveling to Harrisburg in support of Penn State’s Capital Day on Monday. Capital Day offers Penn Staters the opportunity to use their voices to speak up in support of the university’s state funding and highlight Penn State’s positive impact on the commonwealth. It is the single-largest day of advocacy, combining in-person student meetings in Harrisburg with a virtual element. 

Representing Penn College were welding & fabrication engineering technology seniors Nikolas J. Harnish, of Newmanstown, and Karis A. Hudson, of Ambler, along with Ryan P. Good, assistant professor of welding and recipient of the 2019 Veronica M. Muzic Master Teacher Award. Also in attendance were Loni N. Kline, senior vice president for college relations, and Patrick Marty, chief government and international relations officer.

During Capital Day, students from University Park, its commonwealth campuses and affiliates, like Penn College, met with members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to advocate for the University’s annual state appropriation.

By advocating during Capital Day, Penn Staters across Pennsylvania — current students, faculty and staff members, alumni, family members, and Penn State friends and supporters — showed elected officials that fair funding for Penn State matters to them. State funding is critical to helping Penn State continue to invest in high-quality academic programs and experiences that set students on a path for a lifetime of career and personal success.

In addition to interacting with Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi, the Penn College students and faculty member met with state Reps. Jamie L. Flick, R-83, and Clint Owlett, R-68, and were also invited onto the Senate floor by state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-23. Yaw chairs Penn College’s Board of Directors. 

The Penn College entourage also met with the following officials to thank them for their past support of Penn College and to advocate for fair funding in the future: Rep. Jason Dawkins, D-179 (House Labor chairman); Sen. Chris Gebhard, R-48 (Harnish’s senator and Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development chairman); Senator David G. Argall, R-29 (Senate Education chairman); and Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-134 (House Majority Education chairman). As well, they connected with senior staff of House Majority Leader Matthew D. Bradford, D-70; House Speaker Joanna E. McClinton, D-191; Sen. Ryan P. Aument, R-36 (Senate Majority whip); and Rep. Jordan A. Harris, D-186 (House Appropriations chairman).