CAC Reception Honors Key Donors' Pledge to Student Success

The financial commitment to Pennsylvania College of Technology students by two donor groups – The 1914 Society and The Pillar Society – was recognized at a preshow reception in the Community Arts Center's Capitol Lounge on Thursday evening.

The 1914 Society recognizes individuals and families who annually make gifts of $1,000 or more to the college; The Pillar Society comprises individuals who have named the college or the Penn College Foundation as a beneficiary of a planned gift.



President Davie Jane Gilmour welcomed the groups and thanked them for their loyal support of Penn College, while Loni N. Kline, vice president for institutional advancement, provided an overview of how their gifts benefit students.

“It has been an exciting year of opportunity for Penn College students because of your support," Kline told attendees. "Your investments impact academics and leadership opportunities for our students. Your collective gifts are at work ensuring that our students benefit from a vibrant, challenging and supportive learning environment while they pursue their 'degrees that work.”'

Among the projects highlighted during the reception:

• Scholarship giving, a top funding priority. Throughout the 2017-18 academic year, the Penn College Foundation awarded more $700,000 in scholarship support to students.


• The Wildcat Club, which gives special recognition to those who make gifts in support of Wildcat athletics. To date, nearly 120 members have teamed up in support of our student athletes.


• Dedication of the Major General Fred F. Marty, USA Retired Veterans & Military Resource Center. This comprehensive resource facility serves as a site for veteran and active-duty students to gather, collaborate, study and discuss their military benefits with campus mentors.


• Donor support has launched the construction of the Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College. This space was designed by students, and will represent a combination of architecture, engineering, fabrication and education, enabling users to complete multidisciplinary projects with support and inspiration from others within the college community.

Emblematic of student gratitude is Ryan Monteleone, of Stevens, an information assistance and cyber security major and the college’s lead student development assistant, who offered a heartfelt testimonial.

“With only four months left at Penn College, I could not be happier with my college experience," he said. "Your support of such projects makes it possible for students like me to experience such a rich collegiate environment, one that truly prepares us to enter the workforce as young leaders in our chosen fields. I am most grateful and look forward to the day when I can join you by giving back to an institution that invested so much in me. Thank you for helping students like me earn 'degrees that work.”'