– Photos by Jennifer A. Cline, writer/magazine editor;
Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer;
Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday; and Elliott Strickland, chief student affairs officer
Lizze A. Robinholt, external records evaluator in the Registrar's Office, explains grads' "marching orders" for the orderly move from The Genetti Hotel to the Arts Center.
Like runway models or red-carpet celebrities, Friday's VIPs make their fashion statement.
In control of their destinies are these building automation technology majors, among Friday's graduates from The School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies.
Gracing the "step and repeat" banner are Christina M. McFadden (left) a graphic design grad, and Jamie L. Steer, who earned a degree in emergency management technology and (as a member of the women's basketball team) is among the college's top career scorers.
Morgan N. Keyser (left), of Dillsburg, and Ainsley R. Bennett, of Montoursville ...
... show off the artistry you'd expect from graphic designers.
Mather, who escorted students to the Arts Center and who would soon thereafter be "blindsided" with the college's highest teaching award, goes over procession details with Assistant Registrar Maria N. Piselli.
Jamison P. Deal (left), had ample reason to celebrate Friday: Earning a bachelor's degree in welding and fabrication engineering technology, accepting the Penn College Welding Faculty Award AND observing his 22nd birthday (which included a greeting card from the registrar's staff with his check-in material).
Custom-made T-shirts add an especially personal touch to an already memorable day for human services graduate Chanelle C. Johnson.
Embarking on postgraduate education at Penn State are Cory W. Biltz and Stephanie M. Puckly, who received bachelor's degrees Friday in welding and fabrication engineering technology.
Preparing to add an associate degree to her superheroic repertoire
Plastics majors oblige a photographer
Graduating in welding and fabrication engineering technology, Tahlor L. Heath offers a silent shout-out to her supportive parents.
A good rule of thumb(s) is to be excited on Graduation Day!
Shakespearean sentiment adorns Crouse's cap, a nod to her tenacity in juggling academics and a President's Award-winning breadth of campus involvement.
Welding technology major Andrew W. Klepper celebrates with supporters – including grandmother Joan M. Gilbert (second from right), who retired from front-line familiarity as a clerk in The College Store, and mother Susan L. (center), who, as a mass communications graduate, appeared on the cover of the Summer 1992 issue of the college magazine.
No matter how jammed West Fourth Street becomes, there's always room for a group photo with friends.
Student leader Morgan N. Keyser, a co-recipient of the President's Award connects with her Student Affairs family outside the theater. From left are Sal Vitko, assistant director of student activities for student organizations/orientation; Anthony J. Pace, director of student activities; Allison A. Bressler, assistant director of student activities for programming and Greek life; and Shelley L. Moore, director of career services.
Crouse kicks off the milestone weekend with a Friday commencement address.
J.D. Mather, the latest Master Teacher, exudes sincere gratitude for the students who enrich and inspire him.
Nicholas L. Stephenson, the year's other full-time teaching exemplar, extols his Penn College experience.
State Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the Penn College Board of Directors, congratulates Friday's graduates.
A cellphone souvenir
Penn College: Where "dreaming" and "doing" aren't fairy-tale notions.
Don't ever doubt it!
Dental hygiene: health policy and administration concentration grads Kayla C. Summerson (left) and Rebekah L. Caretti celebrate the big event – AND the latter's 21st birthday – on Saturday.
Wilmer I. Clase, a building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration student who found Penn College by way of the Dominican Republic, is all smiles with family.
The Arts Center empties at the close of a celebratory weekend.
An industrious reminder of lifelong learning and the role of nontraditional students in the institution's history, Steven C. Shuck, of Montgomery, earns an accounting degree at age 53.
Students speakers were introduced by Strickland, who recounted their myriad contributions to campus life.
Alumni Achievement Award winner Thomas J. Giannattasio accepts the honor with humility and humor, relating how Penn College gave him focus and purpose after lackluster years in high school.
The president presents Mather with his Master Teacher plaque, awarded for only the 31st time in college history.
The joy of commencement weekend, sustained through three ceremonies and hundreds upon hundreds of graduates, is evident in the unfailing smile of Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour.
An overhead projection screen is an appreciated visual aid for those in the loge and beyond.
Trading his graduation cap for the "sorting hat" of Harry Potter fame, Peter W. Van Hemert talks with the president after receiving his degree in software development and information management.
Even the prettiest of roses can't match this little beauty, enhancing the special day for Abdulaziz Saud Alomani, who earned a bachelor's degree in plastics and polymer engineering technology.
A grad's cap invokes the wisdom of Dr. Seuss in charting her post-Penn College path.
Stacey L. French (center), a recipient of the Board of Directors' Award who graduated in applied human services, is encouraged by sister-in-law Shelley Bamonte (right) advertising/marketing assistant at the college, and Katie L. Mackey, director of campus and community engagement.
It's a family celebration for Clark W. Fuller, of Springville, who graduated in engineering design technology, in company that includes grandmother Lucille.
Engineering design technology major Logan J. Baxter (left), of Laurel, Del., marks the day with his daughter and his roommate, Nathan J. Wolfe, an electromechanical maintenance technology student from Glen Lyon.
Michael B. McMullen, a manufacturing engineering technology major from Altoona, tops his cap with an engine block created in the 3-D printing lab.
Sporting patches awarded by the college's International Programs Office, Saudi students gather with family at the college entrance ...
... and exult in the wide, wide world of opportunity that awaits.
Faculty and administrators lend a collective and attentive ear to Carts, the student speaker for the weekend's second commencement.
June Kilgus Zimmerman, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, inspires attendees at Saturday morning's proceedings.
On Mother's Day weekend, a boy fittingly shares the commencement limelight (and acknowledgement of his loved one's accomplishment by the president and board member John Young).
Wood, who was awarded the Chef John Folse Excellence in Hospitality Award and the Aramark Hospitality Award prior to commencement, represents his class at the final ceremony of 2016-17.
School of Business & Hospitality students earnestly look to the podium – and their futures.
One of the weekend's two Excellence in Teaching honorees, Mary G. Trometter proudly displays her award.
Michael DiRaimo, the newest member of the college board of directors, authorizes the conferring of degrees at Saturday afternoon's ceremony.
With the move of a mortarboard tassel from right to left, Wood (and the rest of the Spring 2017 graduating class) makes it official.
A patriotic honor cord adorns a veteran, who, in a scene repeated in all three of the weekend's ceremonies, stands among his classmates to appreciative applause from the audience.
Web and interactive media student Colleen E. Bowes, of Wayne, a goalkeeper on the Wildcat women's soccer team, "saves" her most meaningful college memory for the end.
Dalaney T. Vartenisian is congratulated by the president for earning her bachelor's in web and interactive media.
An on-stage selfie showcases members of the platform party. From left are Elliott Strickland, chief student affairs officer; Carts, class representative; Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management/associate provost; and Paul L. Starkey, vice president for academic affairs/provost.
Saturday morning's graduates chat in The Genetti while waiting for the call to line up.
A student’s cap looks to the future.
Candidates for bachelor’s degrees in nursing gather around Sandra L. Richmond, director of the nursing program, before the morning ceremony.
A student makes last-minute adjustments.
Because of a steady drizzle outdoors, students line up inside the hotel.
Noting that she likes puns, architectural technology grad Ariana N. Daub, of New Columbia, matches a major-appropriate site plan with her cap’s sentiments.
The cap of nursing grad McKenzie B. Romano, of Williamsport, spells a message to Romano’s son: “Mommy did it.”
One of Saturday morning’s most coveted accessories: the umbrella.
Candidates smile through raindrops as they process down West Fourth Street.
Nursing grad Tricia Deochan, of Williamsport, eyes the camera.
Nursing students huddle for a pre-commencement photo op.
Umbrellas shield students from the rain in a shortened walk to the Community Arts Center.
A healthy supply of umbrellas, some courtesy of the Registrar’s Office, helps to keep morning marchers dry.
A newly minted graduate exits the theater with appropriate joy.
A grad soaks in the moment – a medley of popular tunes and a Community Arts Center lobby filled with fans waiting to see the grads exit.
New civil engineering technology grad Marshall I. Cook, of Muncy Valley, celebrates with his son.
A youngster celebrates the day with a hand-made version of the traditional cap.
Health information technology graduate Ellenee J. Clymer-Barrett, of Jersey Shore, poses for a family photo.
A cap offers a throwback to Disney’s “Dory” with a joking (we hope!) sentiment.
Richard C. Taylor, associate professor of plumbing and heating, greets the family of one of his newly graduated students.
A grad gathers with family for a photo.
As morning graduation crowds thin, a family gets a clear shot in West Fourth Street.
A Community Arts Center volunteer offers a convenient product – a fresh rose for the graduate.
Baking and pastry arts grad Natascha G. Santaella’s cap reflects the pineapple, a symbol of hospitality.
The caps of Andrea L. Solenberger, of Harrisburg, and Alexis L. Kepley, of Reading, both baking and pastry arts students, reflect the mixed emotions of the day: “Donut make me leave,” and “Donut make me stay.”
Sarah A. Brunski, a culinary arts and systems graduate from Mount Holley Springs, offers a restaurant quip in “86 the classes.”
Ryen M. Persun, of Linden, shows off a true degree that works, adorning his cap with the logo of his new employer, C.J. Miller Excavating and Paving, where he’s been hired to begin work as an assistant project manager. Persun received a degree on Saturday in business management.
Hunter A. Fuoti, a collision repair technology grad from Blandon, adds a touch of pink to her attire with a painted Lamborghini.
Culinary arts and systems grads (from left) Sarah B. Fiedler, of Lock Haven; Cy C. Heller, of Milton; Katlyn J. Hackling, of Wilmington, Del.; and R. Colby Janowitz, of Westminster, Md., take a gleeful walk to the arts center.
Grads' smiles light up a cloudy afternoon as they head to the theater.
A student demonstrates justified enthusiasm.
A long line of graduates from the School of Transportation and Natural Resources Technologies makes up the last group to process.
Grads turn their attention to the street as a passing vehicle “honks” its congratulations.
Heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis students Austin C. Slother, of Phillipsburg, and Caleb D. Wallingford, of Spring Mills, pause for a photo on the trek up West Fourth Street.
The youthful smile of Jacob M. Fetzer, a forest technology graduate from Liberty, shows appreciation for the unfolding of a new chapter – which includes further education in Maine.
Noah L. English, a commuter assistant and new graduate of landscape/horticulture technology: plant production emphasis, offers a winning smile. English is from Danville.
Affirming Penn College’s trademark connection between industry and academics
Through technology employed for the first time at a Penn College commencement, Morgan E. Blackwell an accounting grad from Beech Creek and co-recipient of the Board of Directors' Award, has closed captioning for the live event delivered to her phone. Wi-Fi hotspots were installed in the Community Arts Center to smooth the process, which delivered the commencement activities to an off-site stenographer, who typed the words as they were spoken.
Zachary D. Warren, a graduate of automotive technology: Mopar CAP emphasis, shows his creative cap. Warren is from Hummelstown.
Katlyn J. Hackling, a culinary arts and systems graduate from Wilmington, Del., shares a hug with Chef Craig A. Cian, associate professor of hospitality management/culinary arts.
Weston J. Sheehan, an automotive technology grad from Renovo, shares the moment with his mom.
A family finds a dry spot for a photo amid a light afternoon shower.
Bryan M. Behm, a student leader from Fleetwood and recipient of the Aviation Faculty Award, hugs a loved one.
An umbrella keeps the phone dry for a family photo.
Never too old for a pick-me-up from Mom, Carlos A. Ramos-Sonera celebrates in front of the Penn College sign.
Flipside: Grads on both sides of the sign try to capture their Penn College memories.