Hundreds gather for Wildcat Weekend

It was a “wild” weekend at Penn College as alumni, students, family and friends gathered to celebrate Wildcat Weekend Sept. 19-21 on campus and in the surrounding communities, woodlands and waterways.

Activities kicked off Friday night with a gathering of 37 alumni at Kimball’s Pub. A dessert showcase, hosted by Le Jeune Chef, ax throwing with The Hatchet House and another successful bonfire were attended on campus by nearly 300 guests.

On Saturday, more than 50 participants embarked on a 2.5-mile hike at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center with President Michael J. Reed, who highlighted the programs, clubs and organizations at the ESC. The hike included a portion of the NCAA Division III cross-country team’s course. Led by Coach Tom F. Leeser and his cross-country student-athletes, it was a beautiful day to explore the facility.

Sixty-four cars were on display during Phi Mu Delta’s Cars & Coffee event, far exceeding expectations. Phi Mu Delta alumni and current members worked with the Office of Student Engagement to plan the event. Jerry J. Hudak, a 2021 information & cyber security grad, said the car show raised $418 for the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and about $100 for the chapter.

“This event was a fantastic opportunity for our alumni to reconnect with the school and the active chapter, while also demonstrating two of Phi Mu Delta’s core pillars: service and brotherhood,” Hudak said.

Penn College hosted a sold-out, two-hour cruise on the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat. One hundred people enjoyed college-themed cake pops and cookies while taking in the sights along the Susquehanna River.

Back at the college, attendees of the Family Fall Festival enjoyed a photo booth, cornhole, pumpkin painting, face painting, and “Wildcat Crunch” ice cream, developed by Eder’s Ice Cream for Wildcat Weekend. Kaysey L. Beury, coordinator of student success solutions, hosted a table at which guests could write encouraging messages for first-generation students.

A collaboration of the brewing & fermentation science program and Ron Ott’s Beverage Management & Service Applications course, a Tour & Taste event encouraged more than 140 people to check out one of three locations on campus – the new Physical Therapy Clinic, the Jean McMahon Soars Center for Additive Manufacturing or a general campus tour – while later sampling snacks from Le Jeune Chef and featured brews from 12 breweries that employ Penn College brewing & fermentation science grads. Head wrestling coach Dalton Rohrbaugh also spent time with attendees and highlighted the wrestling room.

In partnership with Timothy L. Yarrington, instructor of brewing & fermentation science, and alumni, the following breweries were represented: 

• Axemann Brewing
• Bald Birds Brewing Co.
• Birthright Brewing Co.
• Clarion River Brewing Co.
• Elk Creek Café + Aleworks
• John Ryan Brewery
• New Trail Brewing Co.
• Rosko’s Brew House
• Runaway Train Brewery
• Straub Brewery
• Victory Brewing Co.
• Wellsboro House

In the evening, Wildcat Bingo & Karaoke drew more than 200 students, families and alumni, featuring 15 rounds of bingo for fall and Penn College-themed prizes.

A sold-out Farewell Brunch was held Sunday morning at Le Jeune Chef, where more than 125 guests enjoyed a chef-curated menu featuring sweet and savory favorites.

During the weekend’s athletics events, the women’s soccer team beat La Roche University, 6-0, while the women’s volleyball team split a tri-meet against Cheyney University and SUNY Morrisville, beating Cheyney, 3-0.