Penn College students advocate at 'Capital Day'

Pennsylvania College of Technology President Michael J. Reed and four students were among the college contingent traveling to Harrisburg to support Penn State’s Capital Day on Wednesday. During Capital Day, students from University Park and Penn State's commonwealth campuses and affiliates, like Penn College, highlight the university’s positive impact on the commonwealth and encourage support of the university’s state funding. It is Penn State’s largest single-day advocacy event. 

Representing Penn College were Giovanni "Gio” Barbarossa, of Bridgeville, a building automation engineering technology student, who is president of the Penn College Diesel Performance Club; Cadence J. Copson, of Jersey Shore, a nursing student and combat medic in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Cierra "Cici” Miller, of Dover, a welding & fabrication engineering technology student, who is a resident assistant, president of Penn College’s American Welding Society chapter and an intercollegiate tennis athlete; and Lauren A. Peck, of South Williamsport, an aviation maintenance technology student, Pennsylvania Air National Guard member (cyber defense) and intercollegiate tennis athlete. 

Also joining the Penn College group was Patrick Marty, chief government and international relations officer.

In addition to engaging with Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi, the Penn College representatives met with several state officials, thanking them for their support of Penn College. The group visited Penn College Board of Directors Chair Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) and Republican Caucus Secretary (and Penn College board member) Clint Owlett (R-68), as well as House Majority Leader Matthew D. Bradford (D-70), House Minority Leader Jesse Topper (R-78), House Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris (D-186), House Education Committee Chairman Peter Schweyer (D-134), House Labor Committee Minority Chairman Seth M. Grove (R-196), House Communications & Technology Minority Chairman Jason Ortitay (R-46), Rep. Jamie Flick (R-83), a 1981 alumnus of the college, and Rep. Joe Hamm (R-84).

By advocating during Capital Day, Penn Staters across Pennsylvania — current students, faculty and staff members, alumni, family members, and Penn State friends and supporters — show 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.