Penn College Celebrates Diamond 10 Anniversary

During 1998-99, Pennsylvania College of Technology is celebrating 85 years of educational programming and service to the community, including 10 years as a Penn State affiliate. The observance will continue at the College throughout the academic year. In addition to social events and rotating displays of memorabilia from the College's earlier days, the commemoration will tie in classroom educational projects.

The Williamsport Area School District first offered adult education programs on our site in 1914. Classes were held in the basement of what is now our Klump Academic Center. Over time, enrollment and programming grew into Williamsport Technical Institute (founded in 1941). The technical institute earned a worldwide reputation for efforts to train workers during the Great Depression, and for the defense industry in World War II and the postwar era. In 1965, the institute joined the new Pennsylvania community college system and was renamed Williamsport Area Community College. After 24 years as a community college sponsored by area school districts, the College became an affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University and was renamed Pennsylvania College of Technology on July 1, 1989.

Honoring the institution's rich history and evolution from a small industrial woodworking shop to its current form as Pennsylvania's premier technical college, is an exciting task, says College President Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour, who is beginning her first full academic year at the institution's helm.

"We are proud of our history and of a tradition that sets us apart from others in higher education," stated Dr. Gilmour. "Like our forerunners, Pennsylvania College of Technology is here to help (people) achieve their dreams and to play an important role in the life of Williamsport and the surrounding communities."

Memorabilia Collection
Dr. Gilmour has invited all faculty and staff to share wonderful, unique (and often forgotten) personal mementos from the College's past as part of the Diamond 10 Anniversary celebration. Items from past eras Williamsport School District (1914-41), Williamsport Technical Institute (1941-65), Williamsport Area Community College (1965-89) and Pennsylvania College of Technology (1989) will be collected by staff in the College Library following the Aug. 17 convocation. The items will be part of a rotating archive display to be housed in the College Library throughout the fall and spring semesters.

Kickoff Celebration
President Gilmour invites all students, faculty and staff to join in the kickoff celebration for our Diamond 10 Anniversary on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Events are:
7:30-9 a.m.
Good Morning Break
Pastries and beverages at main campus (ATHS), Earth Science Center, Aviation Center and North Campus

11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Student Carnival Activities
Events, sponsored by the Office of Student Activities, include "Inflatable Fun" featuring a 30-foot rock climbing wall, a Velcro spider wall, body-slamming in Sumo Wrestling suits, a bungee run, obstacle course and "Bouncy Boxing." As well, the "Indy Racing Experience" will bring fun in the form of virtual-reality car racing. Rounding out the carnival will be a caricaturist who will draw students' portraits, airbrushing of T-shirts and other clothing, and a video button maker. Free giveaways and prizes! These events will take place at the Bush Campus Center on Main Campus.

11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Picnic Lunch
Served by Catering on main campus (ATHS patio), Earth Science Center, Aviation Center and North Campus

3:30 p.m.
Celebration and Birthday Cake
A magnificent "Diamond 10" cake will be cut and Penn College Wildcat athletes and coaches including 1998's NCAA Championship Archery Team will be honored. Joining Dr. Gilmour in leading the ceremonies will be Dr. Robert E. Dunham, chairman of the College's Board of Directors, and Kenneth Harding Jr., president of the Student Government Association. In addition to students, faculty, staff and Penn College's Board of Directors, College retirees and community friends will be on hand for the festivities. These events will take place on the lawn of the Bush Campus Center.

4:30 p.m.
Groundbreaking for Gateway to Campus
Penn College friends and supporters from the community will join the President and Board of Trustees for a ceremony marking the start of the project to construct a new gateway from Maynard Street to the campus and the Diamond 10 anniversary year. The ceremony will take place on the Park Street side of the Campus Center. James Logue, associate professor of English at Penn College, will serve as master of ceremonies for the event, which will offer a review of the College's long history.

8 p.m.
Outdoor student dance
Held on the Campus Center lawn.

9 p.m.
Fireworks Spectacular
Rescheduled from Aug. 17, these fireworks will kick off the new semester and the Diamond 10 Anniversary yearlong celebration with a bang! According to Dr. Gilmour, the best vantage point will be the lawn between the Campus Center, the ATHS and the Victorian House.