Monday, July 21, 2025
photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor
Clouds lift to reveal a warm campus welcome for Summer Open House, which brought 1,360 guests to the college's three campuses.
Penn College welcomed 461 prospective undergraduate and graduate students for its Summer Open House on Saturday.
The day offered visitors and guests an opportunity to visit the college’s highly equipped labs and chat with faculty and students about their potential futures as Penn College tomorrow makers. Students and staff also provided tours of housing and the Dr. Welch Workshop, while students lent insight on campus activities, including a Q&A panel by student-athletes. Several offices were also open to provide guidance and service.
In total, the college saw 1,360 guests visit its three campuses. Ninety-three of the prospective students traveled to the college from nine other states, representing Connecticut (three students), Florida (one), Massachusetts (five), Maryland (14), North Carolina (one), New Jersey (44), New York (20), Ohio (two), and Virginia (three).
The numbers represent an increase of 53 students – and 171 guests – compared to the college’s 2024 Summer Open House. Many of the visitors are interested in enrolling in Fall 2026 or later. Application for the 2026-27 academic year opens Aug. 1.
“The weather was beautiful, and our students, faculty, staff and volunteers all assisted with creating a warm and welcoming environment,” said Claire Milliken, coordinator of admissions events and communications. “Thank you to everyone who assisted with this event; we could not have done it without your continued support.”
The campus mall, lined by plants and student-created sculptures, gives visitors a taste of the campus's beauty.
Alex E. Marconnet, instructor of engineering design, shows guests around the Penn College Baja Room, the headquarters for a successful student team that manufactures an off-road vehicle for intercollegiate competition.
The campus mall is a crossroads for visitors taking in the college’s well-reputed applied-technology offerings.
Michael R. Allen, instructor of welding, fields questions during a tour of the college’s 55,000-square-foot Lycoming Engines Metal Trades Center.
In the Gene Haas Center for Innovative Manufacturing, manufacturing engineering technology instructor Krishna C. Vistarakula talks with guests about the college’s automated manufacturing and machining majors.
Visitors take advantage of a new outdoor gathering space, a collaboration among General Services, concrete science technology students and architectural technology students.
Marconnet relays what students learn in the Jean McMahon Soars Center for Additive Manufacturing.
A stainless steel globe, fabricated by students in a Welding Blueprint & Layout II class, with additional support from Roy H. Klinger, instructor of collision repair, and Craig A. Miller, assistant professor of engineering design, awaits delivery to Little League International for display during the Little League Baseball World Series.
Guests file past one of many student-fabricated sculptures – a representation of the college’s athletics logo – to explore facilities in College Avenue Labs.
A pair of guests discuss their day at “PCT.”
Volunteers help visitors to register and offer a preview of the day’s offerings.
Orientation leaders Sierra N. Klinger (left), of Klingerstown, and Karissa M. Prosser, of Mount Jewett, stand ready to welcome guests. Both are business administration students.
Home of the Wildcats, UPMC Field.
Summer splendor welcomes housing tour guests to Dauphin Hall.
Inside Dauphin Hall, visitors view first-floor offerings – like a fitness center and Capitol Eatery.
Dauphin also offers down-time gathering spaces.
Residence Life staff (from left) Hope Wilson, Olivia Magann, Samir K. Pringle and Sophia G. Wiest are on hand to help housing tour guests. Wilson, Magann and Wiest are residence life coordinators. Pringle is a summer camps and conference assistant, as well as a business administration student.
Pringle, of Philadelphia, engages visitors.
Groups gather at Rose Street Commons to get a feel for campus living.
Employee and student volunteers answer visitor questions during check-in in the Field House.
Prosser leads a group across main campus – which appropriately holds the Arbor Day Foundation’s “Tree Campus USA” designation.
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