Hundreds 'fall' in love with Penn College during Open House

Published 11.05.2023

Photos by Tom Wilson, writer/editor-Penn College News (unless otherwise noted)

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    As a week of ice-scraper mornings temporarily surrendered to warmer temps and plentiful sunshine, the final Open House of the Fall 2023 semester attracted a lively crowd of aspiring Penn College students and their families.

    Final numbers from the Admissions Office showed that 604 prospective students (more than 70% of whom are looking at a Fall 2024 enrollment) and 1,802 total guests were in attendance.

    Faculty/staff, students and alumni combined to make it an informative day for visitors, who filled their Sunday with tours – both general and pinpointed to their specific interests – and a variety of optional activities focused on academic and campus life.

    The college will host two more during the Spring 2024 semester (Feb. 24 and April 7), as well as a summer Open House on July 13. More information is available through the Admissions Office.

    On the first campus tour of the day, Presidential Student Ambassador Samir K. Pringle leads his group past "The Rock," painted in camo colors for Veterans Week.
    On the first campus tour of the day, Presidential Student Ambassador Samir K. Pringle leads his group past "The Rock," painted in camo colors for Veterans Week.
    Jess McLaughlin, regional admissions coordinator/partnership development specialist, helps a father and son map out their day at check-in ...
    Jess McLaughlin, regional admissions coordinator/partnership development specialist, helps a father and son map out their day at check-in ...
    .. where the line of Open House guests flowed out the Field House door and partway down the UPMC Field parking lot.
    .. where the line of Open House guests flowed out the Field House door and partway down the UPMC Field parking lot.
    An Academic Exploration Fair in the Thompson Professional Development Center offered a convenient array of Penn College programs, ripe for discovery by prospects narrowing their career options. Alexander Aiello, of Shavertown, talked with Steven J. Moff, professor of business administration/management and marketing, about accounting and other business majors.
    An Academic Exploration Fair in the Thompson Professional Development Center offered a convenient array of Penn College programs, ripe for discovery by prospects narrowing their career options. Alexander Aiello, of Shavertown, talked with Steven J. Moff, professor of business administration/management and marketing, about accounting and other business majors.
    Physical therapist assistant students Jamie O. Krause (left), of Lititz, and Erica A. Hawbaker, of Huntingdon, discuss their major with a visitor to their visually engaging table.
    Physical therapist assistant students Jamie O. Krause (left), of Lititz, and Erica A. Hawbaker, of Huntingdon, discuss their major with a visitor to their visually engaging table.
    With two Penn College degrees and related industrial experience, Kendra N. Tomassacci ideally represents engineering and industrial design majors. The 2013 graduate in computer aided drafting technology and computer aided product design has been a full-time instructor of engineering design technology since 2016.
    With two Penn College degrees and related industrial experience, Kendra N. Tomassacci ideally represents engineering and industrial design majors. The 2013 graduate in computer aided drafting technology and computer aided product design has been a full-time instructor of engineering design technology since 2016.
    Pointing out the nearby Parkes Automotive Technology Center, Presidential Student Ambassador Sarah E. Allen stops with her tour group near the Veterans' Fountain.
    Pointing out the nearby Parkes Automotive Technology Center, Presidential Student Ambassador Sarah E. Allen stops with her tour group near the Veterans' Fountain.
    Prior to a morning information session, Alicia L. McNett, assistant professor of computer information technology, answers questions from early arrivals.
    Prior to a morning information session, Alicia L. McNett, assistant professor of computer information technology, answers questions from early arrivals.
    In a photo provided by Kellor A. Schooley (in blue shirt), Presidential Student Ambassador and Senior Resident Assistant for Lancaster and York halls, the Wildcat gathers with RAs giving tours of on-campus housing.
    In a photo provided by Kellor A. Schooley (in blue shirt), Presidential Student Ambassador and Senior Resident Assistant for Lancaster and York halls, the Wildcat gathers with RAs giving tours of on-campus housing.
    The ICU Lab on the first floor of the Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center was among the stops for potential nursing students and their families. Jane E. Grages, associate professor of psychiatric/medical surgical nursing, explains the use of the lab by upper-level students while Elizabeth A. Legarski (offscreen), instructor of nursing programs IV, controls the high-fidelity manikin, making it breathe ... cough ... and even scream in pain.
    The ICU Lab on the first floor of the Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center was among the stops for potential nursing students and their families. Jane E. Grages, associate professor of psychiatric/medical surgical nursing, explains the use of the lab by upper-level students while Elizabeth A. Legarski (offscreen), instructor of nursing programs IV, controls the high-fidelity manikin, making it breathe ... cough ... and even scream in pain.
    Crouched beneath the "Student Bodies" welding sculpture of the campus mascot, this young guest – accompanying a cousin interested in an HVAC degree – prepares her Wildcat Pounce.
    Crouched beneath the "Student Bodies" welding sculpture of the campus mascot, this young guest – accompanying a cousin interested in an HVAC degree – prepares her Wildcat Pounce.
    Plastics technology instructors Vii J. Rice (center), a Penn College grad, and Jose M. Perez Jr. show off the Thermoforming Center of Excellence, spotlighting just one of the processes taught in the ABET-accredited polymer engineering program.
    Plastics technology instructors Vii J. Rice (center), a Penn College grad, and Jose M. Perez Jr. show off the Thermoforming Center of Excellence, spotlighting just one of the processes taught in the ABET-accredited polymer engineering program.
    President Michael J. Reed, greeting everyone he saw while seemingly covering every inch of campus, catches up with Joseph F. DiBucci, instructor of building construction technology: concrete and masonry. (Both are from Glenshaw, Allegheny County, and both graduated from Shaler Area High School.)
    President Michael J. Reed, greeting everyone he saw while seemingly covering every inch of campus, catches up with Joseph F. DiBucci, instructor of building construction technology: concrete and masonry. (Both are from Glenshaw, Allegheny County, and both graduated from Shaler Area High School.)
    Providing a curricular overview in the newly renovated Physican Assistant Center are (background from left) Cheressa L. Mix, instructor and 2003 program graduate; Gabrielle R. Fries, a 2023 grad now employed by Susquehanna Health Vascular Surgery; and Tina R. Strayer, coordinator of physician assistant studies.
    Providing a curricular overview in the newly renovated Physican Assistant Center are (background from left) Cheressa L. Mix, instructor and 2003 program graduate; Gabrielle R. Fries, a 2023 grad now employed by Susquehanna Health Vascular Surgery; and Tina R. Strayer, coordinator of physician assistant studies.
    Presidential Student Ambassador Kaylena L. Harrell starts a late-morning tour outside The Madigan Library.
    Presidential Student Ambassador Kaylena L. Harrell starts a late-morning tour outside The Madigan Library.
    The award-winning water feature outside College Avenue Labs, laden with mums and pumpkins, offers colorful hope for a few more weeks of autumn.
    The award-winning water feature outside College Avenue Labs, laden with mums and pumpkins, offers colorful hope for a few more weeks of autumn.
    Among the future Wildcats experiencing what Penn College has to offer its tomorrow makers is Colin Sobkowski, of Warren, interested in architecture & sustainable design.
    Among the future Wildcats experiencing what Penn College has to offer its tomorrow makers is Colin Sobkowski, of Warren, interested in architecture & sustainable design.
    Near the end of a long day, the mascot ponders his next move in a Davie Jane Gilmour Center sitdown with Jeanita J. Pierre and other Presidential Student Ambassadors.
    Near the end of a long day, the mascot ponders his next move in a Davie Jane Gilmour Center sitdown with Jeanita J. Pierre and other Presidential Student Ambassadors.

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