More than 1,500 attend brisk Open House
Friday, March 6, 2026
photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor
A family receives helpful guidance from Kate Hummel, senior director of campus life and residential experience, during the first of two spring Open Houses at Penn College.
Temperatures were in the 30s for the February Open House and a winter storm was brewing, but that didn’t stop guests from making their way to Penn College to explore all that main campus, the Schneebeli Earth Science Center and the Lumley Aviation Center have to offer.
Although the majority of the 1,564 prospective students and their guests were from Pennsylvania, 114 visitors traveled from outside the state.
“While the temperature was chilly, the warmth of the campus community was felt by our visitors,” said Audriana L. Empet, executive director of admissions & secondary partnerships.
One family visited from Ohio so that their son could see Penn College and the construction management program in person.
“This was a great tour,” his father said. “Everybody was extremely helpful, pleasant and really had a passion for the college. (There were) plenty of staff throughout the campus to help you at any time. My son has been looking at a few much larger schools but switched his mind after this tour. Great job to all!”
A New Jersey attendee explored the radiography program with her daughter and said the day was very well executed all around.
“Congratulations on a job very well done,” she said. “Thank you so much. Everything was so easy, everyone so pleasant and helpful and people (were) ready to help at every turn.”
The next Open House is scheduled for April 26. Visit the Open House page for more information.
Student tour guides - and the ever-present Wildcat - stand ready to serve visitors.
Chef Frank M. Suchwala (right), associate professor of hospitality management/culinary arts, provides an overview of the college's baking & culinary program. He's joined in the program's Le Jeune Chef Restaurant by students Autumn H. Bowen (left), of Milton, and Romell D. Myrick, of Philadelphia.
Jason W. Killinger, associate professor of HVAC technology, leads a tour through his in-demand program's labs.
Enrollment counselor Ryan J. Bogaczyk talks with a family in the Admissions Office.