Penn College News

Summer '16 Grads Relish Their Day in the Sun

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Pennsylvania College of Technology held its Summer Commencement on Saturday at the Community Arts Center in downtown Williamsport. Hashim Abbas Alfulful, of Saudi Arabia, who received a Bachelor of Science degree in plastics and polymer engineering technology, was the student speaker for the 11 a.m. ceremony. More than 200 degrees were conferred by college President Davie Jane Gilmour and Steven P. Johnson, a member of the Penn College Board of Directors. During the ceremony, Penn College also presented an Alumni Achievement Award to Megan E. Wright, a 2012 graduate of the college’s physician assistant program.


– Photos by Tia G. La, student photographer, and Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor


On their way into the main event, soon-to-be new alumni celebrate.

On their way into the main event, soon-to-be new alumni celebrate.

A hearty reminder of the power of a Penn College education

A hearty reminder of the power of a Penn College education

Glorious grad caps offer colorful, meaningful sentiments.

Glorious grad caps offer colorful, meaningful sentiments.

An honor-filled day

An honor-filled day

The latest members of the Class of 2016 process from The Genetti Hotel to the Community Arts Center.

The latest members of the Class of 2016 process from The Genetti Hotel to the Community Arts Center.

Cool shades for a hot day

Cool shades for a hot day

As the college president encourages cellphone photos and social-media sharing, Elliott Strickland, chief student affairs officer, snaps a memory with the student speaker.

As the college president encourages cellphone photos and social-media sharing, Elliott Strickland, chief student affairs officer, snaps a memory with the student speaker.

Alumni Achievement Award recipient Megan E. Wright, ’12, physician assistant, accepts accolades.

Alumni Achievement Award recipient Megan E. Wright, ’12, physician assistant, accepts accolades.

After turning the student speaker’s tassel, the college president congratulates him on a job well done.

After turning the student speaker’s tassel, the college president congratulates him on a job well done.

A tassel-turning assist

A tassel-turning assist

Veterans stand to receive applause and appreciation.

Veterans stand to receive applause and appreciation.

This is definitely a selfie-worthy moment for Kyeesha Douglas, who earned an associate degree in legal assistant/paralegal.

This is definitely a selfie-worthy moment for Kyeesha Douglas, who earned an associate degree in legal assistant/paralegal.

A magnificent site for a momentous ceremony

A magnificent site for a momentous ceremony

Gold-letter moments, memories and mortarboards!

Gold-letter moments, memories and mortarboards!

Assisted by Steven P. Johnson, a member of the college's Board of Directors, President Gilmour conveys congratulations to physician assistant graduate Alana S. Androvette.

Assisted by Steven P. Johnson, a member of the college's Board of Directors, President Gilmour conveys congratulations to physician assistant graduate Alana S. Androvette.

An energized Michelle Acosta takes her turn walking across the stage.

An energized Michelle Acosta takes her turn walking across the stage.

Marking his last commencement as marshal, retired electrical faculty member Kenneth C. Kuhns accepts acknowledgement.

Marking his last commencement as marshal, retired electrical faculty member Kenneth C. Kuhns accepts acknowledgement.

An active campus leader during her time as an occupational therapy assistant major, Emma J. Sutterlin proudly sings the Penn College Alma Mater.

An active campus leader during her time as an occupational therapy assistant major, Emma J. Sutterlin proudly sings the Penn College Alma Mater.

Parting waves to professors

Parting waves to professors

A grad's cap is aglow with the confidence of its wearer: “I will change the world.”

A grad's cap is aglow with the confidence of its wearer: “I will change the world.”

Admissions Representative Emily A. Weaver (center) shares a moment with the parents of surgical technology graduate Michelle Acosta. The trio used translation equipment loaned by Little League International to make the day a happy and successful one – in any language. From “the green room” in the CAC basement, Weaver relayed the event’s words in Spanish to the visitors.

Admissions Representative Emily A. Weaver (center) shares a moment with the parents of surgical technology graduate Michelle Acosta. The trio used translation equipment loaned by Little League International to make the day a happy and successful one – in any language. From “the green room” in the CAC basement, Weaver relayed the event’s words in Spanish to the visitors.

Making family memories

Making family memories

Physician assistant grad Nicholas W. Splitt strikes a pose with supporters.

Physician assistant grad Nicholas W. Splitt strikes a pose with supporters.

Automotive technology graduate Claude T. Dickinson IV shares a proud moment with his mother, Kathy.

Automotive technology graduate Claude T. Dickinson IV shares a proud moment with his mother, Kathy.

One cap reflects a graduate's many hats: “A daughter, a wife, a mother … now a nurse”

One cap reflects a graduate's many hats: “A daughter, a wife, a mother … now a nurse”

A brand-new alumna in occupational therapy assistant, Stephanie E. Falcone enjoys post-commencement photo opportunities.

A brand-new alumna in occupational therapy assistant, Stephanie E. Falcone enjoys post-commencement photo opportunities.

Balloons, flowers and paparazzi!

Balloons, flowers and paparazzi!

Capturing an irreversible sense of pride

Capturing an irreversible sense of pride

It’s a frame-worthy day for surgical technology graduate Angelika Y. Goncharova.

It’s a frame-worthy day for surgical technology graduate Angelika Y. Goncharova.

Judy L. Wiley, celebrating her degree in health arts: practical nursing emphasis, poses for her fans.

Judy L. Wiley, celebrating her degree in health arts: practical nursing emphasis, poses for her fans.

Graduating in radiography, Amanda L. Coroban celebrates with her twin sister, Andrea. As toddlers, the girls graced the cover of the Spring 1994 college magazine.

Graduating in radiography, Amanda L. Coroban celebrates with her twin sister, Andrea. As toddlers, the girls graced the cover of the Spring 1994 college magazine.

Devin L. Beaver, who earned an associate degree in health arts: practical nursing emphasis, savors the day with her darling nephew.

Devin L. Beaver, who earned an associate degree in health arts: practical nursing emphasis, savors the day with her darling nephew.

Physician assistant grad Cavan R. irvine celebrates with college friends Trevor I. Brandt, now an admissions representative, and Katelyn A. Wertz.

Physician assistant grad Cavan R. irvine celebrates with college friends Trevor I. Brandt, now an admissions representative, and Katelyn A. Wertz.

At the Remembrance Garden, radiography grad Danielle J. Shindledecker shares a moment to remember with some of her supporters.

At the Remembrance Garden, radiography grad Danielle J. Shindledecker shares a moment to remember with some of her supporters.

At the crossroads of reflection and realization, an imminent grad exhibits an appropriately pensive mood.

At the crossroads of reflection and realization, an imminent grad exhibits an appropriately pensive mood.

Pomp and circumstance ... and laughs with a classmate

Pomp and circumstance ... and laughs with a classmate

A Penn College education (and the support of friends) gives grads a leg up on the working world.

A Penn College education (and the support of friends) gives grads a leg up on the working world.

Friends always come through with a helping hand.

Friends always come through with a helping hand.

Teamwork gets the job done!

Teamwork gets the job done!

Handiwork, as unique as its wearer

Handiwork, as unique as its wearer

Chilling in the welcome air conditioning of a hotel ballroom

Chilling in the welcome air conditioning of a hotel ballroom

The world at their feet

The world at their feet

One last en-masse memento

One last en-masse memento

Dressed for success, from head to toe

Dressed for success, from head to toe

Kendell E. Edwards, graduating in health arts: practical nursing, offers a heads-up about her lifesaving skills.

Kendell E. Edwards, graduating in health arts: practical nursing, offers a heads-up about her lifesaving skills.

With accomplishment so grand, it's hard to contain that burst of happiness and pride.

With accomplishment so grand, it's hard to contain that burst of happiness and pride.

Togetherness to the end of their college road

Togetherness to the end of their college road

Looking toward the future with confidence and skill

Looking toward the future with confidence and skill

The parade of caps and gowns heads west on Fourth Street to the day's prestigious venue.

The parade of caps and gowns heads west on Fourth Street to the day's prestigious venue.

All dressed up with somewhere to go – somewhere very important, indeed!

All dressed up with somewhere to go – somewhere very important, indeed!

A triumphant trio

A triumphant trio

Sunshine and smiles (and flowers) on a noteworthy day

Sunshine and smiles (and flowers) on a noteworthy day

Gleaming smiles say it all

Gleaming smiles say it all

Physician assistant grads, poised to make their mark in meaningful work

Physician assistant grads, poised to make their mark in meaningful work

Pearls of wisdom and a wide smile are worn by surgical technology grad Kelly L. Jones.

Pearls of wisdom and a wide smile are worn by surgical technology grad Kelly L. Jones.

A radiography grad's cap cleverly holds double meaning.

A radiography grad's cap cleverly holds double meaning.

Student speaker Hashim Abbas Alfulful delivers thanks to those who helped him realize his dreams including his professor, Kirk M. Cantor, who he said was like “a second father” and someone he will strive to emulate in life.

Student speaker Hashim Abbas Alfulful delivers thanks to those who helped him realize his dreams including his professor, Kirk M. Cantor, who he said was like “a second father” and someone he will strive to emulate in life.

Before the seal of the institution she leads, President Davie Jane Gilmour welcomes all to the day's big event.

Before the seal of the institution she leads, President Davie Jane Gilmour welcomes all to the day's big event.

Conor D. Flynn, who graduated in radiography, is congratulated by his father, Brian A., an assistant professor of graphic design.

Conor D. Flynn, who graduated in radiography, is congratulated by his father, Brian A., an assistant professor of graphic design.

... no matter how many students create a photo op

... no matter how many students create a photo op

Pure presidential pride ...

Pure presidential pride ...

An environment befitting the occasion

An environment befitting the occasion

New emergency medical services alumnus Adam N. Finkelstein-Diaz rejoins his encouraging entourage.

New emergency medical services alumnus Adam N. Finkelstein-Diaz rejoins his encouraging entourage.

A sun-kissed swarm of celebrants mingles under the marquee.

A sun-kissed swarm of celebrants mingles under the marquee.

Elation transcends the confines of a photo frame.

Elation transcends the confines of a photo frame.

A multigenerational milestone

A multigenerational milestone

With supportive presence, the eyes of youth take it all in.

With supportive presence, the eyes of youth take it all in.

A celebration, as contagious as it is sincere

A celebration, as contagious as it is sincere

... and shows gratitude for her inspiration to

... and shows gratitude for her inspiration to "do all things."

Gwendolyn A. Ntim (second from left), a health arts: practical nursing emphasis graduate, gathers with well-wishers ...

Gwendolyn A. Ntim (second from left), a health arts: practical nursing emphasis graduate, gathers with well-wishers ...

Beneath a picture-perfect sky, a stopover at a campus landmark

Beneath a picture-perfect sky, a stopover at a campus landmark