State Rep. Thomas W. Dempsey, R-Loyalsock Township, will deliver the keynote address at Pennsylvania College of Technology's spring commencement exercises, scheduled for 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, at the Community Arts Center in downtown Williamsport.
Dempsey, who will retire at the end of the year after completing his seventh term in the state House as Greater Williamsport's representative, also will receive the College Service Award. The honor is given in recognition of meritorious service provided to Penn College. Dempsey has served on the College's Board of Directors since July 1995. Previously, he served on the College's Corporate Advisory Board.
A total of 779 students petitioned to graduate as part of the Spring 2000 class. Graduates in the schools of Construction and Design Technologies, Integrated Studies, Natural Resources Management and Transportation Technology will participate in the 10 a.m. ceremonies. Graduates in the schools of Business and Computer Technologies, Industrial and Engineering Technologies, Health Sciences, Hospitality and the North Campus will take part in the 2:30 p.m. event.
The student speaker for the morning ceremonies will be Bennie J. Dodds, Hughesville, who is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in automotive technology management. The student speaker for the afternoon event will be Graham K. Hantz, Coplay, who is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in manufacturing engineering technology.
In addition to the presentation of diplomas and student awards, the College's Distinguished Teaching Awards and Outstanding Alumnus Award will be bestowed. A reception for graduates and their guests will be held on the main campus from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the lobby area of the Bush Campus Center.
Dempsey will speak at both commencement ceremonies. He was appointed to the state House in 1987 to fill an unexpired term and won re-election six times. Formerly, he was Lycoming County's prothonotary and clerk of courts (from 1980-87).
He is the winner of the National Federation of Independent Business' Guardian of Small Business Award, the State of Israel Leadership Award and the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities' Public Service Citation Award.
His memberships, in addition to the Penn College Board, include the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, the Community Advisory Committee for Leadership Lycoming, Lycoming County "Brotherhood County USA," the board of directors for Hope Enterprises, Inc., the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Boy Scouts of America, St. Ann's Catholic Church and the West Branch Sports Hall of Fame. He is a former basketball and football official at the high school and collegiate levels.
He and his wife, the former Nina L. Womer, have four children and four grandchildren.