College Hosts Reunions for WACC, Welding, Construction, Tutors
Monday, September 29, 2014
As part of its Oct. 10-12 Centennial Homecoming, Pennsylvania College of Technology will host four reunions, each inviting alumni to share their memories and revel in the weekend’s theme: “Then … Now … Forever Proud.”
The first of the weekend’s reunions – for graduates of the welding program – begins at noon on Friday, Oct. 10, with the dedication of “Student Bodies,” a series of metal sculptures conceived by welding lecturer and 1977 alumnus Michael K. Patterson and executed by Patterson and students.
The life-size, abstract human forms are installed along the Susquehanna Street walking mall, not far from the Avco-Lycoming Metal Trades Center where they were fabricated from the welding shop’s scrap metal and students’ creative explorations.
The sculpture dedication will be followed by a cookout.
A reunion for academic tutors is scheduled from 2-4 p.m. Friday with an open-house reception in the Tutoring Center.
On Saturday afternoon, the college will host its first Williamsport Area Community College Reunion. Many activities are planned, including a history presentation with President Davie Jane Gilmour and Elaine J. (Helm) Lambert, ’79, special assistant to the president for creative development and public relations. Lambert has written a series of books on the college’s history as part of its Centennial countdown. The fourth book, titled “Working Class,” is scheduled for release in December.
WACC was the immediate predecessor of Penn College, established in 1965 after the state Legislature passed the Community College Act. Built on the foundation set by its predecessor, Williamsport Technical Institute, WACC became the second community college in Pennsylvania. In 1989, after school districts withdrew their sponsorship of the community college, the institution affiliated with Penn State, becoming Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Several employees from the WACC era (1965-89) are slated to attend the reunion, offering a panel discussion and answering alumni questions. Among those planning to attend are Bernadette Eck Servey, retired secretary to the vice president for academic affairs/provost; Roy P. Fontaine, professor of psychology; Phillip D. Landers, emeritus professor, business administration/management; Judy F. McConnell, librarian; Dale A. Metzker, retired associate professor of printing and publishing; Dennis F. Ringling, retired professor of forestry; Richard Sahn, instructor of psychology/sociology; William H. Schaefer, assistant professor of automotive technology; Larry P. Stabler, retired assistant professor of automotive technology; Chalmer Van Horn, retired associate professor of drafting; Charles H. Whitford, retired programmer/analyst; and George P. Wolfe, retired associate professor of computer science technology.
The WACC reunion also includes prizes, refreshments and campus tours.
At 10 a.m. Sunday, alumni of the School of Construction & Design Technologies are invited for a reunion that will include opening remarks by Marc E. Bridgens, the school’s dean, and tours of the college’s student-built structures: the Thompson Professional Development Center (1987), the Victorian House (1997), and the Field House (1999), followed by a catered lunch at Morgan Valley Retreat (1991).
Additional Homecoming events include a golf outing, carnival, bonfire and Oktoberfest. To register for the reunions and view a full schedule of events, visit the Homecoming Web page or contact Alumni Relations by email or at 570-326-3761 or 1-877-PCT-ALUM (toll-free).
For more about the college, which is celebrating its Centennial throughout 2014, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
The first of the weekend’s reunions – for graduates of the welding program – begins at noon on Friday, Oct. 10, with the dedication of “Student Bodies,” a series of metal sculptures conceived by welding lecturer and 1977 alumnus Michael K. Patterson and executed by Patterson and students.
The life-size, abstract human forms are installed along the Susquehanna Street walking mall, not far from the Avco-Lycoming Metal Trades Center where they were fabricated from the welding shop’s scrap metal and students’ creative explorations.
The sculpture dedication will be followed by a cookout.
A reunion for academic tutors is scheduled from 2-4 p.m. Friday with an open-house reception in the Tutoring Center.
On Saturday afternoon, the college will host its first Williamsport Area Community College Reunion. Many activities are planned, including a history presentation with President Davie Jane Gilmour and Elaine J. (Helm) Lambert, ’79, special assistant to the president for creative development and public relations. Lambert has written a series of books on the college’s history as part of its Centennial countdown. The fourth book, titled “Working Class,” is scheduled for release in December.
WACC was the immediate predecessor of Penn College, established in 1965 after the state Legislature passed the Community College Act. Built on the foundation set by its predecessor, Williamsport Technical Institute, WACC became the second community college in Pennsylvania. In 1989, after school districts withdrew their sponsorship of the community college, the institution affiliated with Penn State, becoming Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Several employees from the WACC era (1965-89) are slated to attend the reunion, offering a panel discussion and answering alumni questions. Among those planning to attend are Bernadette Eck Servey, retired secretary to the vice president for academic affairs/provost; Roy P. Fontaine, professor of psychology; Phillip D. Landers, emeritus professor, business administration/management; Judy F. McConnell, librarian; Dale A. Metzker, retired associate professor of printing and publishing; Dennis F. Ringling, retired professor of forestry; Richard Sahn, instructor of psychology/sociology; William H. Schaefer, assistant professor of automotive technology; Larry P. Stabler, retired assistant professor of automotive technology; Chalmer Van Horn, retired associate professor of drafting; Charles H. Whitford, retired programmer/analyst; and George P. Wolfe, retired associate professor of computer science technology.
The WACC reunion also includes prizes, refreshments and campus tours.
At 10 a.m. Sunday, alumni of the School of Construction & Design Technologies are invited for a reunion that will include opening remarks by Marc E. Bridgens, the school’s dean, and tours of the college’s student-built structures: the Thompson Professional Development Center (1987), the Victorian House (1997), and the Field House (1999), followed by a catered lunch at Morgan Valley Retreat (1991).
Additional Homecoming events include a golf outing, carnival, bonfire and Oktoberfest. To register for the reunions and view a full schedule of events, visit the Homecoming Web page or contact Alumni Relations by email or at 570-326-3761 or 1-877-PCT-ALUM (toll-free).
For more about the college, which is celebrating its Centennial throughout 2014, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.