Class Notes shares the achievements and milestones of alumni of Pennsylvania College of Technology and its predecessors, Williamsport Area Community College and Williamsport Technical Institute. Share your story.
Kate Ruggiero, 2020
aviation technology
Kate is an airframe structures technician for Duncan Aviation. She's also a part-time horse trainer for a ranch, volunteers to recruit for Duncan at Penn College and Western Michigan University, and is a Women in Aviation Symposium volunteer. She resides in Battle Creek, Mich.
Tessa Shutt, 2021
nursing
Tessa is a registered nurse in UPMC Harrisburg's neonatal intensive care unit. She resides in Pine Grove, where she recently bought her first home.
Alison Rhoads, 2014
early childhood education
Alison is a driver for Albright Life Center. She resides in Williamsport and welcomed her first grandchild in 2023.
Thomas Caputa, 2009
information technology: network specialist
Thomas is an IT architect II for TD Bank. He resides in Levittown.
Laura (Downs) Albawab, 2009
early childhood education
Laura is a nanny. She resides in Parlin, N.J.
Wendy (Mazur) Carl, 2003
culinary arts technology
Wendy is a human resources representative for Aramark. She resides in Mount Carmel with her husband, Donald '03, culinary arts technology. They have two children.
Kate (McCall) Stepnick, 2007
applied human services
Kate is camp director for the Nicholas Wolff Foundation, which operates Camp Victory. In April, she is slated to become the foundation's executive director. She resides in Bloomsburg with her husband and their son.
Michel (Sloan) Hansotte, 2013
collision repair technology (2011) and automotive technology management
Michel works at the parts counter for Phil Fitts Ford. She resides in New Castle.
Ashley (McGee) Smith, 2010
health information technology
Ashley is a provider enrollment manager for Brault. She resides in Perkasie, where she recently purchased a house.
Kenneth Bloom, 2016
information technology: network specialist
Kenneth is a consultant for CGI Federal. He is the main contact for a help desk on one of its Environmental Protection Agency contracts. He resides in McSherrystown.
Kristin (Mahaffey) Fornwald, 2004
radiography
Kristin is a diagnostic technologist-advanced for UPMC of North Central Pennsylvania. She served on the college's Radiography Advisory Committee and is a clinical preceptor for radiography students at the hospital site. She is married, has a child and resides in Muncy.
Courtney (Brown) Bloom, 2016
baking and pastry arts
Courtney is the head chef for Children in Bloom, a child care center. She resides in McSherrystown.
Hailey Brunk, 2014
hospitality management (2008) and technology management
Hailey completed a Master of Business Administration: event leadership concentration from Johns & Wales University in 2023. She is a family and consumer science teacher for Manchester School District and resides in Richmond, N.H.
Izabel (Ramer) DiRienzo, 2021
business management
Izabel is a mortgage specialty customer service representative for M&T Bank. She married Ryan DiRienzo '22, plastics & polymer engineering technology, on Oct. 14, 2023. They reside in Ridgefield, Conn.
Rachael (Byerly) Miner, 2015
web and interactive media
Rachael is a lead designer for MXTR Automation. She resides in Bayville, N.J.
Theresa (D’Andrea) Powell, 2006
graphic communications management
Theresa is a research analyst for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. She resides in Harrisburg.
Steven Dodge, 2002
computer information technology: data communications and networking
Steven is a wealth coach for Citigroup. He resides in Jacksonville, Fla.
Rebeca Chapman, 2018
culinary arts technology
Rebeca is a line cook for Bear Creek Mountain Resort. She resides in Lyon Station.
TJ Gilbert, 2023
residential construction technology & management
TJ is an emergency medical technician for UPMC. He bought a house in October 2023 and resides in Williamsport.
Shane Knauber, 2012
information technology: technical support (2010) and technology management
Shane is an IT assistant for Hermance Machine Co., a division of Wurth Baer Supply Co. He welcomed a daughter, Nora, in March 2023. They reside in Montoursville.
Ashley (Arvin) Knight, 2008
business administration: marketing
Ashley is a legal administrative specialist for the Social Security Administration. She resides in Fallston, Md.
Lee Gable, 2002
construction management and electrical technology
Lee is a pastor for Fredsville Lutheran Church. He holds a certificate for education in spiritual direction from Oasis Ministries and serves on the Northwestern Iowa Candidacy Committee. He resides in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Amber (Geckle) Dreese, 2007
applied human services
Amber is a supports coordinator supervisor for the Lycoming/Clinton Joinder Program. She's been working for the program for 16 years. She supervises five supports coordinators in the joinder's intellectual disability department. She resides in Williamsport.
Maria Berrios, 2018
baking and pastry arts
Maria is a team leader in the bakery department for Wegmans, overseeing the bread and breakfast teams. She is engaged to be married in September 2024 and resides in Fountain Hill.
Scott Bitting, 2014
computer aided drafting technology
Scott is an engineering designer for Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory. Scott and his wife, Shelby '18, nursing, welcomed their second child, Parker, in October 2022. They reside in Lewistown.
Joshua Young, 2006
computer information technology: data communications and networking
Joshua is a learning systems administrator for Penn College, teaching faculty how to use technology in the classroom and managing educational technology needs. He's also a part-time instructor and head coach of the college's esports team. He resides in Williamsport.
John "Chuck" Sattizahn, 2011
building construction technology
Chuck is a general contractor. He owns Chuck's Custom Woodwork. He is married, has two daughters and resides in Shoemakersville.
John Yogodzinski, 2007
graphic communications management
John owns The Graphic Hive, a 2016 Emerging Business of the Year recipient through the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce. He's also recipient of the Alumni of the Year award through Penn College and the Chamber and is a Central Pennsylvania Chamber Impact Award winner. He resides in Turbotville.
Sheree (Lucas) Smales, 1997
practical nursing
Sheree is a warehouse manager/safety specialist for Proconex. She's also been an emergency medical technician and emergency medical services captain for more than 25 years. She is a CPR/First Aid instructor and a past EMT instructor. She resides in Springville.
Joshua Bachorski, 2015
computer aided product design
Joshua is a drafter for Advanced Concrete. He resides in Milton with his wife.