I am grateful to the leaders before me and around me. Their high expectations and culture of continuous improvement created a bold, progressive foundation that we continue to strengthen together.
Michael J. Reed, Ed.D.
President
Donors
Supporting students
We extend sincere appreciation to alumni, corporate partners, friends, parents and students for their generous contributions to the educational opportunities and successes of Penn College students. Your collective gifts are at work for students in the form of scholarships; new equipment and technology; academic lab, classroom and facility enhancements; and extracurricular leadership opportunities. Your commitment empowers students to pursue an applied technology education – one that leads to success in the global marketplace.
Together, through the 'Tomorrow is in the Making' campaign, we:
Honored a legacy
Twenty-four hours honor 24 years. More than 440 gifts totaling nearly $887,000 were made to honor President Emeritus Davie Jane Gilmour’s transformational leadership during Legacy Day, a 24-hour celebration that united alumni, faculty, staff, students and the campus community in marking the 24-year president’s legacy before her June 30 retirement.
At a Legacy Day kickoff event, attendees visited with Gilmour and donated hundreds of items to the Career Gear Clothes Closet and The Cupboard, which provide material support for students.
Gifts to Penn College
Widened access to meaningful degrees
In 2021-22, the Penn College Foundation awarded scholarships to 602 students, totaling $1,049,008. Thirty new scholarships were established through Penn College and the foundation.
Cunningham family commits $200,000 to Legacy Campaign
“Supporting today’s students through scholarship donations gives us a wonderful sense of giving back, helping them achieve their academic goals and go on to successful careers.” – The Cunningham Family
Corporate Partnerships
Produced real-world ready grads
More than 235 companies, offering thousands of jobs and internships, met with nearly 1,600 students during the Fall Career Fair.
Employers flock to Penn College Fall Career Fair
“You have a great student body. We’ve hired six people from here, and they’ve all done very well in six different jobs. Penn College students come well-prepared and well-trained. They have a phenomenal background to get started.”
– Michael McGarry, national sales manager for TRAK Machine Tools
Emboldened student-athletes
A gift from the Klingerman family allowed Penn College to renovate and equip a new wrestling room, as well as athletics offices, which were renamed and rededicated as The Klingerman Family Athletics Suite. The facilities carry a bold look and upgraded functionality, while offering a cutting-edge atmosphere to better serve current and future Wildcats.
“The Klingerman Family Athletics Suite inspires students to envision what life as a Wildcat will offer, while serving as a reminder of the loyal fan base who consistently invest in their academic and athletic successes.” – Elliott Strickland Jr., vice president for student affairs.
Broke fundraising records
The 2022 Penn College Foundation Golf Classic raised a record-breaking $140,360 and boosted its endowed scholarship fund to nearly $2.1 million. Proceeds from the annual Golf Classic and accumulated investment income created the fund, one of the foundation’s largest.
“We know the true winners at this event are our students, who will gain access to a hands-on, applied technology education because of the generous support of all of the Golf Classic’s sponsors.” – Kyle A. Smith, executive director, Penn College Foundation
Connected high schoolers with their futures
Twenty-eight of the state’s best high school diesel students participated in the college’s inaugural diesel skills competition for Pennsylvania career and technical education students. They toured campus, had dinner with employers, and competed for scholarships and other industry-sponsored prizes. Corporate partners contributed $39,500 in sponsorship and support, and four competitors took another step toward real-world readiness by enrolling at Penn College for Fall 2022.
“I would like to thank Penn College and all other supporting businesses and partnerships for their inspiration to the students in all schools. With their help and support, students are able to carry on with their career goals.”
Richard Decaturdiesel technology instructor, Northern Tier Career Center
Global Experiences
Sent tomorrow makers across the globe
In 2021-22, Penn College classes made educational adventures to Italy to study its cuisine and culture; to Spain to study sustainable building, historical architecture and art; to France and Italy to visit automotive manufacturers and museums; to Alaska to participate in service learning; and to Germany to study precision engineering. A Global Learning Fund provided support for each of the 69 students seeking assistance for their participation in Global Experience classes, with an average award of $250.
Extraordinary experiences
“This has been a bucket list item of mine for years, but I never thought it would be possible in college. Not only has it opened my eyes to future traveling adventures in the works, but it has helped me improve flavor exploration and understand the importance of simplicity.”
Hannah C. Regester, '22professional baking, a participant in the Global Food & Hospitality: Cuisine, Culture & Perspectives course
Empowered interns
A new fund provided assistance to 15 students pursuing real-world experience in their fields of study. The college’s first endowed internship fund was established by Keith and Jennifer Kuzio to empower students to experience internship opportunities they might not otherwise consider, based on financial barriers, including housing and transportation. Funding was also generated through registration fees for Employer Recruitment Days.
Donors
Jennifer & Keith Kuzio
“We both had great internship experiences during our college years, and we also saw the significant impact that internships had on the degree choices and career paths of our three children. The aim of this fund is to ‘pay it forward’ by helping Penn College students make the most of college internships that are available out there.”
Keith & Jennifer Kuzio
Intern
Ashlee Felix
“My program, human services & restorative justice, inspires me to be a better, more well-rounded person. Through this program, I can assist vulnerable populations that I was once a part of.”
Ashlee Felix
a recipient of the Kuzio Family Internship Fund
Awards
Earned ‘Best Colleges’ recognition
Penn College earned the No. 4 berth among Top Public Schools-Regional Colleges North in the U.S. News & World Report 2022-2023 Best Colleges rankings. The college ranked No. 6 in Best Regional Colleges North when private colleges were included.
“Penn College’s exceptional performance in the 2022-23 Best Colleges rankings is a testament to our unique educational mission and ongoing commitment to serving students. Our graduates continue to be in high demand in the workforce because of the relevant skills they learn in our hands-on labs – from faculty with real-world experience – in a host of STEM-related programs. It’s an innovative, time-tested model that has served us well for more than a century.”
Michael J. ReedPresident