Alumni Articles

As a week of ice-scraper mornings temporarily surrendered to warmer temps and plentiful sunshine, the final Open House of the Fall 2023 semester attracted a lively crowd of aspiring Penn College students and their families. Faculty/staff, students and alumni combined to make it an informative day for visitors, who filled their Sunday with tours – both general and pinpointed to their specific interests – and a variety of optional activities focused on academic and campus life.

Victoria Hurwitz, director of physical therapist assistant at Pennsylvania College of Technology, was among the "Women of Excellence" honored in YWCA Northcentral PA's 15th annual tribute to strong, creative and caring changemakers who help their communities thrive.

A global machine tool builder has donated machinery to benefit the Baja SAE team and academic programs at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Hardinge Inc. recently provided the college with an XR 1000 high-performance vertical machining center. Valued at $144,900, the milling machine is equipped with the latest spindle technology and configured for 4-axis machining.

In this episode of Penn College's Tomorrow Makers podcast, you'll meet Elizabeth A. Legarski, nursing instructor, and Kayla Kerstetter, a nursing student from Trevorton. Each holds two degrees from the college – Legarski in physical fitness specialist and nursing, Kerstetter in exercise science and applied health studies – and both found their way to nursing after exploring other possible career paths.

For 25 years, a vintage Mack road tractor – appropriately nicknamed “Accelerated Learning" – has served as a rolling lab that continually reflects the latest industry technology available to diesel students at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center. And while there have been periods of highs and lows in enthusiasm during that quarter-century of transforming the vehicle into a drag truck, the current level of excitement and activity is off the charts.

Off-campus readers of Penn College News – including alumni, parents, retirees and stakeholders – can now subscribe to receive a roundup of the latest stories every weekday morning. Just scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email address; it's that easy! (Current students, faculty and staff are already automatically subscribed and do not need to sign up.)

Carl J. Bower Jr., assistant professor of horticulture, and 17 of his students traveled to Longwood Gardens on Wednesday, a trip that included a visit with alumna Lauren S. Hoderny-Hill. The manager of domestic and international studies at the botanical showcase in Kennett Square, she is a 2005 graduate in floral design/interior plantscape.

Career Services held its final major-specific Recruitment Day of the semester on Wednesday, as more than a dozen companies filled the Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Services Center atrium to talk with students and alumni about career opportunities in the plastics and polymer field. Penn College's Recruitment Days are narrowly tailored to particular programs, with smaller numbers of vendors – but with no less enthusiasm about discussing internships and full-and part-time jobs.

A PPG Industries Inc. training instructor, renowned for his custom paint artistry, shared decades' worth of expertise this week with Penn College students, faculty and career and technical education instructors. Paul Stoll – who last visited campus during the Air Affair East showcase in May 2007 – began Wednesday with a basic airbrush class.

A 2012 Penn College baking & pastry arts graduate recently offered instruction to Jackie Lewandoski, co-host of “Home & Backyard” on WNEP. Sabrina (Strassner) Branning, owner of Baked by Brina in Milton, opened her bakery’s kitchen to show viewers how to make and decorate a pumpkin spice cake with cinnamon cream cheese icing, providing handy pro tips throughout the process.