Pennsylvania College of Technology held a special Countdown to the Centennial homecoming from Oct. 6-9, a "Were You There?" celebration of the many milestones from its Williamsport Technical Institute roots through its transition into Williamsport Area Community College and its eventual growth into today's exciting home of "degrees that work." Aided by impeccable weather, Homecoming 2011 offered four days (and three nights) of something for everyone: a car show, athletic events, an alumni art exhibit, concerts, alumni reunions – including the 20th anniversary of the college's Construction Management program – a bake sale and much more.
— Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor;
Jennifer A. Cline, writer/editor-One College Avenue;
Michael J. Fischer and Whitnie-Rae Mays, student photographers;
Valerie L. Fessler, director of alumni relations; Becky J. Shaner, alumni relations assistant;
Penny G. Lutz, gallery assistant; and Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday
"Homecoming 2011" banner welcomes alumni and guests to campus.
Homecoming queen Whitnie-Rae Mays and king Ryan Enders, representing the Sigma Nu fraternity, raised more than $400 between them for the Student Leader Legacy Scholarship. Runners-up were Katey Landry and David Christman, from the Human Services Club.
Construction Management alumni, with assistant professor Wayne R. Sheppard (right), fill The Valley Inn banquet room to celebrate their major's two decades of achievement.
A strong start to Saturday morning's first Homecoming activity: a 5K run/walk to raise funds for the School of Health Sciences Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Forty-two graduates of Williamsport Technical Institute, Penn College's first forerunner (1941-65) gather for reunion activities.
With an astounding 14-under-par finish, a team led by Wildcat golf coach Matt Haile took top honors in Saturday's alumni tournament at Three Ponds Golf Course in Elysburg. Joining Haile ('06, information technology, second from right), are Eric Schall ('11, plastics and polymer technology), Jeffrey Kerr II ('08, civil engineering) and Tony Stopper.
Watsontown resident Tracy Muckelmann's 1962 Chevrolet Impala, one of 100 vehicles at the Student Government Association's annual Homecoming Car Show, gets a spruce-up from an able assistant.
Richard Karp (left) and Micah Metzel (center) are among the graduates exhibiting artwork in a "Kaleidoscope" of alumni talent on display in The Gallery at Penn College.
In an event that was both fun AND functional, a participant in Thursday's "Nearly Naked Mile" sheds his shirt for charity. The race attracted about 35 runners, who filled two large bins with clothing donations for the American Rescue Workers.
Joan Gilbert, head cashier/customer service liaison at The College Store, celebrates Pride Day in appropriate fashion.
The Society of Plastics Engineers' interactive challenge – complete with discs manufactured by the club – won first place in the "Stand-Still Float" competition.
With the Construction Management Association banner proudly displayed nearby, graduates of the program gather for an afternoon of classroom presentations Friday.
The rolling hills of northcentral Pennsylvania frame a foursome that includes Harland Bergstrom, a 1977 graduate in electronics technology.
The cross-country team was well-represented in the 5K field by (from left) Mike Fischer, Travis Cain and Daniel Flynn.
Alumnus/classical guitarist Alfonse Ciaccio returns to the gallery for a Sunday afternoon performance.
Prior to the men's game, the Wildcat honorably joins the soccer teams for the national anthem.
Artist Michael Patterson, a part-time welding instructor at Penn College, discusses his sculpture of native fish species that will be installed on the South Williamsport side of the Riverwalk. The presentation was part of a Walkable/Bikeable Communities tour that coincided with Thursday's start of Homecoming activities.
A gallery exhibit of artwork by alumni of Penn College and its predecessors is kicked off with a First Friday reception.
A Saturday crowd enjoys delicious tailgate fare under a Dining Services tent behind the Field House.
Kevin Imes (left), who earned degrees in construction management ('03) and building construction technology ('07), joins alumni colleagues Liz ('03, plastics and polymer engineering technology) and Nick Biddle ('07, graphic design) during a gathering at the Bullfrog Brewery in downtown Williamsport.
Finalists for Homecoming king and queen, who raised a total of nearly $1,100 for the Student Leader Legacy Scholarship Fund among them
Fans gather at the Health Sciences 5K starting line.
Bryann Bingaman, a property protection officer with Penn College Police, polishes his 2002 Yamaha during the Homecoming Car Show.
The Wildcat men's soccer team warms up for its game against Penn State York.
Chef Paul Mach, assistant professor of hospitality management/culinary arts, tunes up for teeoff with a ham-and-egg biscuit.
The Students of Musical Development won second prize for this "float," with moveable knobs, decals of famous musicians and a varied selection of tunes coming through its speakers.
Miniature hard hats add a fitting touch to centerpieces at the construction management reunion.
The families of the two seniors on the men's soccer team – William "Billy" DeAngelo, of Dallas, and Patrick Kehoe, of Oley – get together for a tailgate.
Alumni artist Richard Karp (with microphone) stands between Lenore Penfield, director of special events and the gallery, and Matthew Parrish, the Williamsport Sun-Gazette arts and entertainment editor – and prize judge for the exhibit.
Bake sale managers Haley Shuman (left) and Catie Zimmerman join Chef Monica Lanczak (standing) for Friday's Homecoming "American Regional" bake sale at The Market.
Kitty Snyder, Cindy Shaner, Kati Shaner and Kathy Poust field the day's only all-female foursome.
Top runner Travis Cain heads for the 5K finish line.
Wildcat Blue peppers the bleachers for Thursday's "Jam the Gym" volleyball night.
Almost too pretty to open was this "Treasure Basket," donated by the President's Office to the Greek Life Silent Auction.
John Kulhamer, a plastics and polymer technology major and member of SPE, "chillaxin' and catchin' some rays" in the back of his pick-up truck lined with a tarp and filled with water
Jim Lentz, associate professor of printing and publishing technology, was among the Penn College employees helping to fund scholarships by entering their vehicles in the Homecoming Car Show. His sentimental favorite? A 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Dale Earnhardt Jr. special edition.
Dennis Ringling, professor of forestry, and Tom Zimmerman, associate professor of psychology
Their game postponed, members of the Lady Wildcat soccer team nonetheless claim their moment in the sun.
SPE members and friends pummel the club's prize-winning "float" with plastic discs.
Wildcat soccer alums, including men's coach Enrique Castillo at right, reunite for Homecoming.
Another faculty vehicle, a 1975 Dodge Dart owned by automotive assistant professor Chris Holley
With the West Branch of the Susquehanna as its scenic backdrop, a bike tour that included Penn College students, employees and alumni stops to preview Riverwalk sculpture.
A Homecoming tennis match against Penn State Brandywine.
Valerie Fessler, alumni relations director, and Three Ponds pro Jonathan Hoffman welcome golfers.
Under a splash of Old Glory, student Lauren Hammer helps bake-sale patrons make their selections.
Cross-country head coach Mike Paulhamus is the first walker to finish in the Health Sciences fundraiser.
Car-show entries line the parking lot behind the Field House.
Spirited competition marks Friday's Homecoming Powder Puff Football game, won 28-7 by the freshmen team.
Katelyn Roskosky, on track for a '12 degree in building science and sustainable design, at the Bullfrog with Tyler Walter, who graduated in May from the same major.
A mix of alumni and current students, several from Penn College's welding majors, bike to the Riverwalk.
Honoring the day's historical theme, the Medical Imaging Club takes a spin down memory lane with its third-place "Wheel of Radiology" entry.
Photographers line up for a portrait of the artist, 1941 Williamsport Technical Institute graduate Raymond Eck.
A passion for automobiles and sports – and an all-American sweet tooth – combine in this four-wheeled treat at the bread and pastry sale.
Operations assistant Linda Szuhaj displays her Penn College Pride at The Madigan Library reference desk Friday.
Dan Bennett, the college's information technology security analyst (left), joins his brother, sister and father on the green. His business, Benit Services Inc., sponsored the tournament breakfast.
Teams in Thursday night's Homecoming flag football game confer with an official.
General Services maintenance supervisor Harry Rall entered this 1993 Dodge Challenger, shining in the Saturday sun.
Construction management alumni reminisce
The student team of Kurt Linhart, Joseph Peters, Chad Vuocolo and Dan Kramer finished Saturday's round at 9-under.
Runners prepare to start the "Nearly Naked Mile," in which each piece of clothing they remove is donated to the American Rescue Workers.
Fans pack the stands for afternoon soccer action on the Athletic Field.
Nick Biddle holds the alumni gift basket he won at The Bullfrog Brewery.
Neon helmets, with mohawks to match, adorn a 1996 Honda owned by Robert Eigenbrod, of Williamsport.
Ben Mix, an electronics and computer engineering technology student from South Williamsport, checks out the items available at the "silent auction."
Health Services' new vehicle stands ready to assist.
Wheat baguettes tempt shoppers at the Homecoming bake sale.
Automotive student Nate Moorman, of State College, vies for the dirtiest vehicle (and a trophy topped by a pig) with his road-weary 1984 Chevrolet Caprice.
Helpful signs direct visitors to the day's campus activities.