College Launches Effort to Find 'Lost' Alumni of W.A.C.C., W.T.I.

Pennsylvania College of Technology is trying to locate "lost" graduates of the College and its predecessor institutions, Williamsport Area Community College and Williamsport Technical Institute.

"We have over 27,000 alumni in our database, with more added every year," said Barbara A. Danko, Penn College's director of alumni relations.

However, Danko says the College has lost contact with thousands of alumni of W.A.C.C. and W.T.I.

"Through investigative work and the help of other alumni over the past 11 months, we've increased our files of current addresses and phone numbers for W.T.I. alumni from 143 to 247 individuals," she said. "But at least 14,800 people attended W.T.I. and, in most cases, the most recent address we have is over 35 years old."

"Penn College is making an unprecedented effort to build stronger ties with all of our alumni," Danko added. "We provide updates to our alumni, we send out a free subscription to the College magazine, 'One College Avenue,' and we hold various alumni events throughout the year."

Danko noted that, in June of this year, Penn College held its first-ever reunion of W.T.I. alumni at the main campus in Williamsport. By all accounts, it was a great success.

"About 50 W.T.I. alumni attended, many visiting the campus for the first time in decades, and we plan to continue holding those reunions on an annual basis," she said. "I'd love to see much bigger crowds at the next reunion in June 2002."

Danko said any alumni of W.T.I. (1941-65) or W.A.C.C. (1965-89) who are not receiving "One College Avenue" or other mailings from Penn College are probably "lost" alumni. If that's the case, she asks that they contact her, and she asks the same of anyone who has current information on any Penn College, W.A.C.C. or W.T.I alumni. With the upcoming holidays and the expected gatherings of family and friends, this would be a great time of year to receive the information, Danko said.

"If you know of alumni who are deceased, please let us know that, too, so we can update our records," she said. "The information we receive will be held in the strictest confidence. Penn College does not provide or sell its lists or databases to outside businesses or organizations."

You can contact Penn College's Office of Alumni Relations by calling toll-free, 1-877-PCT-ALUM (1-877-728-2586), by writing to the office at One College Avenue, Williamsport, PA 17701-5799, or by sending e-mail. Alumni can also fill out an online information update.