Events Articles

More than 775 students were served Thursday during Penn College's Midnight Breakfast, an end-of-semester tradition beginning its second quarter-century. The free event at Capitol Eatery featured pancakes, ice cream, sausage links and an array of toppings; massage and chi machines for a relaxing atmosphere in the nearby TV lounge; and a pair of always-popular golden retrievers.

In what could unsurprisingly become quite a popular event as Finals Week anxiety ramps up each semester, the ConCreate Design Club held its first "Smash House and Grill Out" just off the Carl Building Technologies Center parking lot from noon-5 p.m. Thursday. For a $5 donation, patrons could get a hot dog and one minute to smash the concrete-lab leftovers of their choosing. Among those yearend items were steps that could be smashed for prizes if wire mesh, rebar or a hammer were uncovered within.

The Center for Academic Excellence and the Student Government Association teamed for a magical night of pre-finals fun on Wednesday, inviting participants to come dressed in their favorite pajamas for a costume contest at the semester's final SGA meeting.

Student Wildcats of Robotic Design hosted its Fall Robot Competition on Nov. 18, attracting dozens of battlin' 'bots to Penn College's Field House. "The SWORD event went well," said club President Preston J. Evey, an engineering design technology student from Lamar (and a 2022 graduate in engineering CAD technology). "We had a great turnout, with a little over 30 competitors – the majority of them being from outside the school."

The Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers, who carry on the long-standing traditions and culture of their Indigenous ancestors, traveled to Penn College for a Thursday performance in Penn's Inn. More than 50 people attended the educational and entertaining event – many as active participants – helping the college observe National American Indian Heritage Month.

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.

Penn College's first-ever Veterans Week offered a range of activities for faculty/staff, students and alumni who are veterans of – or are still serving in – the nation's armed forces. Included on the comprehensive schedule were informational displays, shared profiles of representative service members and communal meals. Friday's brunch featured presentation of the Veteran Student Success Award, a planned annual tribute to an academic mentor for students with military experience.

First-Generation College Student Week was celebrated Nov. 5-11 at Penn College, appropriate for a campus where nearly half the enrollment – not to mention a significant number of faculty and staff, including the institution's president – meet that definition. The week was selected because Nov. 8 marks the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which created federal financial aid programs that reduce barriers to first-generation students' success.

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 variety of activities during the coming week will pay tribute to two treasured segments of the campus population: veterans and first-generation students. The Wildcat community is encouraged to check out bulletin boards for a full listing of commemorative events, and to revisit Penn College News and the college's social media platforms as both groups are celebrated.