Reunion to Be Held for Williamsport Technical Institute Alumni

Alumni of the Williamsport Technical Institute, a forerunner of Pennsylvania College of Technology from 1941-65, will return to the College on June 19 for a day of reminiscing, renewing friendships and observing the many changes that have taken place on the Williamsport campus.

Among the activities to be featured at the W.T.I. reunion are tours, time for viewing old photos and memorabilia and a luncheon at the College's Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.

"We feel it is important to bring these alumni back to campus to see one another and see how the College has changed," said Barbara A. Danko, director of alumni relations. "Over time, we have lost contact with many of the W.T.I. graduates. Now, we are seeking to reconnect them with the College."

The schedule for the day includes check-in and registration at 10 a.m.; a tour of program areas at 10:30 a.m.; reminiscing, viewing old yearbooks and other memorabilia at 11:15; a luncheon at Le Jeune Chef at noon; a trolley tour of the main campus and surrounding area at 1:30 p.m.; and a concluding ceremony in the Thompson Professional Development Center at 2:30 p.m.

The Williamsport Area School District first offered adult-education programs on the site of Penn College in 1914. The programming eventually led to the founding of Williamsport Technical Institute in 1941. The institute earned a worldwide reputation for its efforts to train workers during the Great Depression, as well as for the defense industry in World War II and the postwar era. In 1965, W.T.I. joined Pennsylvania's community college system and was renamed Williamsport Area Community College. The College became a special-mission affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University in 1989.

For more information about the W.T.I. reunion or other alumni issues or events, call toll-free 1-877-PCTALUM (1-877-728-2586). Alumni information can also be accessed on the Web.