Community Articles

Through its Williamsport Lycoming Competitive Grant Program, First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania has awarded $75,000 to Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Lycoming County Prison-to-College Program. The Williamsport Lycoming Competitive Grant Program considers requests from qualified nonprofit organizations serving the residents of the City of Williamsport and Lycoming County.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s dental hygiene program provided free oral care to 22 children and teens during a Sealant Saturday event on Nov. 4. “The future of our community’s oral health looks brighter, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our students and volunteers offering free dental services to children in need,” said Tiana L. Minnick, instructor of dental hygiene, who spearheaded the event. “It was a rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

For the past 16 years, the Community Arts Center has hosted the Skip Hunsinger Holiday Spectacular: an afternoon of holiday cheer, presents and entertainment. Made possible through the efforts of the Hunsinger family and the Community Arts Center Volunteer Corps, the annual local tradition continues Sunday, Dec. 10, as the Arts Center once again opens its doors to the community to celebrate.

The Penn College Motorsports Association's annual Trunk or Treat, postponed by rain a week earlier, showed that the Halloween spirit didn't diminish with November's arrival. "It was a great event and we are looking forward to doing it again next year," said PCMA President Alex Riddle, of Kingston, an automotive restoration student (and May graduate in automotive technology).

A collaborative exhibit with The Gallery at Penn College resulted in one of numerous industry honors recently earned by the World of Little League Museum. The museum took home a program-record four ISHY Awards this year, as presented by the International Sports Heritage Association, for its creative content marking the 75th anniversary of the Little League Baseball World Series.

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 Thursday open house, overlapping with continuation of People & Culture's Engagement Series, combined to better acquaint students and employees with Penn College Police. The events provided a well-organized presentation of community resources, including the West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission, Lycoming County Crisis Intervention Services, state Sen. Gene Yaw's office, the Student Government Association, the Williamsport bureaus of fire and police, and the city's Special Response Team.

In collaboration with North Central Sight Services and in solidarity with their new teammate, Mason Chapman, the Penn College men's basketball team observed Blindness Awareness Month on Friday evening. At the close of their practice, players put on blindfolds for a dribbling drill to experience what it would be like to play without sight.

Penn College observed National Hispanic Heritage Month during a Tuesday event in the Bush Campus Center for students, employees and community members. Following the same "Lunch and Learn" format as a Juneteenth program in late spring, the afternoon included speakers, a catered meal and the chance to cross-culturally engage one another in pursuit of common goals.

A vacant lot northwest of main campus has been donated by Pennsylvania College of Technology to Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity for construction of a single-family home by students, adding to the neighborhood’s character and returning the property to the tax rolls.