Grads mark milestones with energy, elation
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor, and Rob Hinkal, social media specialist (unless otherwise noted)
Energized as they enter the Community Arts Center in downtown Williamsport for the first of three Pennsylvania College of Technology Commencement ceremonies are these graduates of the human services & restorative justice major.
Downtown Williamsport and the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus were teeming with joyful graduates and guests, as the college held its three Spring 2025 commencement ceremonies May 16-17 at the Community Arts Center. Nearly 750 students marched in the ceremonies, with approximately 885 having petitioned to graduate.
Student speakers were Olivia D.A. Magann, of New Albany; Alec Dalton Rees, of Centerport, New York; and Walter J. Heiser, of Easton. Each received a Bachelor of Science degree: Magann in business administration: management, with a minor in business analytics; Rees in applied technology studies with a minor in small business management and entrepreneurship (he previously earned associate degrees in metal fabrication technology and machine tool technology); and Heiser in heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology (he already earned an associate degree in that discipline).
Penn College presented a Distinguished Alumni Award to Clifford H. “Pep” Martin Jr., a Williamsport native who resides in Dade City, Florida. He is a 1972 automotive technology graduate of Williamsport Area Community College, Penn College’s immediate predecessor institution.
Graduates’ degrees were conferred by President Michael J. Reed, with authority granted by state Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the college’s Board of Directors, who also assisted in the presentations to graduates.
The livestreamed links to the three ceremonies are still available for viewing on the Spring 2025 Commencement webpage.
Elation outside the Community Arts Center ...
... and excitement inside.
On their way! Graduates process from the Genetti Hotel to the Community Arts Center.
All eyes are on the arts center stage
Yaw (left) and Reed greet Evan M. Brandenburg on stage. He earned his Bachelor of Science in welding & fabrication engineering technology and Associate of Applied Science in welding technology.
Decked out and ready for a degree!
Sparkling in her moment: Diamond L. Marcus, business management
In the Genetti Hotel ballroom, where grads check in and get ready, new dental hygiene alumni Jolee McCarthy (left) helps Xochilt J. Luzier with her cap, as Shawn A. Kiser, director of dental hygiene, smiles on in the background.
It's a Wildcat street party after each ceremony ...
... and our president is happy to be in the thick of things.
Construction management grads arrive with helmets, complete with tassels.
Heiser, the Saturday afternoon student speaker, addresses the "relationships and memories that made these years unforgettable."
These boots were made for walkin' across the Commencement stage!
Glimmer and gold: marquee and mortarboard
At the Genetti, a group of polymer engineering technology graduates wait to walk the stage and make a final memory with their retiring professor, Kirk A. Cantor (third from right).
Michael I. Shupp, business administration, crosses the stage ...
... and returns to campus for photos with his family.
"A job weld done," indeed!
Charles J. Trimber II gives the president a hug as he crosses the stage. Trimber is a heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology graduate.
Student speaker Rees enjoys a large fan base.
Sandra M. Gallick, architecture & sustainable design, meets her moment on stage.
The tassel is always worth the hassle.
Capturing their accomplishments!
The Distinguished Alumni Award winner reminisces about 1972 and looks forward with the Class of 2025.
Celebrating another crowning achievement: Chyanna L. Galagarza (left) and Monique C. Anderson-Parker, new human services & restorative justice alumni.
Miriam Brooke Minium adds a bachelor's degree in nursing to two previous Penn College degrees in surgical technology and physical fitness specialist.
Mateo Bien, automotive technology, is among the grads bounding across the stage, ready to shake the president's hand.
The warm embrace of family and friends
Joanna K. Flynn, vice president for academic affairs and provost, is the first to welcome the audience to the venerable event.
Celebratory touches
Graduation success? All signs point to yes!
Delivering her awe-inspiring rendition of the National Anthem is Penn College alumna and financial aid counselor, Tamaka F. Carter, who shared her musical talents at all three ceremonies.
At center stage: nursing grad Anika N. Huynh
The spotlight is on Madison Larson, business administration.
A rhinestone Wildcat paw tops the mortarboard of Savannah Greene, business management.
Devin M. Cornell, heavy construction equipment technology, returns to campus for a few post-graduation images.
Heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology grads are eager to pose for a college photographer.
Student speaker Magann shares her motto: "May I not shrink from my purpose" (Latin translation: "Incepto ne desistam") during her Friday afternoon address.
A favorite student leader, Kellor Schooley, enjoys a parting hug from Penn College Police Officer Jeffrey E. Kriner. (Photo provided by Schooley.)
Patrick R. Snoke (left) and Benjamin D. Regester are ready to make their welding & fabrication engineering technology degrees official.
Another day, another queue to the venue
Making use of the closed-off street in front of the Community Arts Center: forestry technology grad Charles E. Storms and his family.
Reed looks on as Yaw authorizes the conferral of degrees and certificates.
Baking & pastry arts grads Emma E. DelCampo (left) and Felicia D. Donnie are excited for their big moment.
Student speaker Rees is congratulated by Reed, following his Saturday morning speech that encouraged listeners to continue "to learn, adapt and build relationships."
Automotive technology grad Katherine A. Farley (at center) enjoys the event.
Evidence of a full college career: a Wildcat Athletics stole, Resident Assistant Medal and honors cords
A stunning space for a stellar moment
Army ROTC graduate MacKenzie L. Collins, who commissioned as a second lieutenant on Thursday, rises for acknowledgement, encouraged by the president. Collins earned his aviation maintenance technology degree.
One of many proud faculty members: Dorothy J. Gerring, associate professor of architecture
Jorden Graham, nursing, makes a memory in front of the Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center.
A quick pause for a selfie! David V. Mattsson captures a presidential memory. Mattsson attained his welding & fabrication engineering technology degree.
Ethan C. Rowe is done with that Bachelor of Science in nursing.
On campus at the PCT sign that is just beginning to bloom: Taylor Lynn, business administration
Lights, camera, action!
Salvatore Leuzzi, automotive technology, marks the auspicious moment at a campus pillar
Noah R. Hunt (at right) takes home degrees in business administration and accounting.
That's quite the checklist!
A full house
No shortage of smiles, especially from these dental hygiene grads!
Presidential fist bump! Reed connects with Valerie Vonada, applied management.
Alexandra McHenry, nursing, fields requests for photos.
The Saturday morning ceremony gets underway under the art center's octagonal-shaped dome.
The brotherhood of college and those HVAC studies: (from left) Shane Groff, Mason Heitman and Tyler E. Hollenbach
Picking up her nursing degree: Madison J. Herriman
Onto what's next!
James T. McCollum was an audience favorite on the "big screen," as the camera panned the crowd of new alumni. He took home degrees in architecture & sustainable design and architecture.
Bright lights, beautiful accents
Always a popular stop for a photo op! Trent B. Morrison (left), concrete science technology, and Charles E. Storms, forest technology, return to the campus entrance before their exit.
Another image at the entrance sign: Lauren A. Hergert, business administration
An appropriate ending ... and beginning!