Faculty keynoter to honor 'Women of Excellence' at YWCA event

Jennifer R. Wahl, a social sciences instructor at Pennsylvania College of Technology, will be the keynote speaker at Thursday's 14th annual "Women of Excellence Celebration" sponsored by YWCA Northcentral PA.

In a change of format over previous years, the event – scheduled from 6-9 p.m. at Farrington Place, 416 W. Third St. – will honor women in seven categories: Advocacy, Arts and Culture, Education, Health and Wellness, Rising Star (between 18 and 35), Sports and STEM. The YWCA will also choose a "Wise Woman of the Year" from among all nominees, a slate that includes a number of Penn College employees.

In her address, Wahl will honor the "advocacy, boldness and perseverance" inherent among the honorees, qualities that have opened doors to help women build meaningful lives and careers.

"The award categories exemplify people who have made a difference by doing and advocating in Northcentral Pennsylvania. Each nominee has worked hard to improve our community through efforts that often go unrecognized, just to make a difference. Each and every one of you are an inspiration to the next generation and embody the very goals of the YWCA, an institution that pours efforts in to our community to empower women."

Wahl, a graduate of Cabrini and Penn State universities, joined the Penn College faculty in Fall 2020 as a full-time instructor of psychology and sociology. She previously taught part time at the college while employed as a secondary education teacher in the Loyalsock Township School District, where she was named Pennsylvania State Teacher of the Year in 2018.