Penn College News

Penn College Spring Commencement Ceremonies Set for May 11-12

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Three commencement ceremonies will be offered May 11-12 for the more than 900 students who have petitioned to graduate following the Spring 2018 semester at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

All of the ceremonies will be held at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St., Williamsport, with more than 780 students expected to march.



Penn College will hold three commencement ceremonies in the Community Arts Center, Williamsport, on May 11-12 for the more than 900 students who have petitioned to graduate following the Spring 2018 semester.At 3 p.m. on Friday, May 11, a ceremony will be held for students from the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies and the School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications. On Saturday, May 13, two ceremonies are scheduled. At 10 a.m., students from the School of Construction & Design Technologies and the School of Health Sciences will receive their degrees. At 1:30 p.m., a ceremony will be offered for students from the School of Business & Hospitality and the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies.

The student speaker for May 11 is Hanna Jo Williams, of Marion, New York, who will be awarded a bachelor’s degree in industrial and human factors design and an associate degree in studio arts.

Speaking at the 10 a.m. ceremony on May 12 will be Glendalis Guadarrama, of Avondale, who will receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

The student speaker for the 1:30 p.m. ceremony on May 12 is Alexandra M. Lehman, of Williamsport, who will receive a bachelor’s degree in business administration: sport and event management concentration.

Williams, a Dean’s List student, is a member of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. On May 11, she will be presented with the President’s Award for leadership and service to the college, as well as an Industrial Design Faculty Award for scholastic achievement, interest in the field and potential for success in the future. Her other Penn College awards and honors include New Student Leader of the Year, Scholar Athlete of the Year and Awesome Women Exemplar. She was a U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association National All-Academic Team member, a North Eastern Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete Award recipient and a Penn College Athlete of the Week (for soccer). Her student leadership positions include president, vice president and treasurer for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; vice president for Alpha Chi National College Honor Society; and senior captain for the women’s soccer team.

Williams was a women’s soccer team member for four years, a women’s tennis team member for three years and a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee member for four years. She was a student-athlete representative to the 2017 NCAA National Convention. She has also been a member of the Penn College Construction Association and the Society of Inventors and Mad Scientists. She twice competed in the National Association of Home Builders Residential Construction Management Student Competition.

Guadarrama is a Dean’s List student who is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. On May 11, she will be presented with the Linda F. Clark, BS RN, Memorial Nursing Commencement Award for outstanding academic achievement, exceptional ability in practicum and commitment to lifelong learning.

Guadarrama was selected as an Awesome Women Exemplar and has served as a Resident Assistant for three years. She serves as a nursing tutor, and she participated in a medical mission trip to Guatemala in 2017. She plans to pursue a career in emergency room nursing.

Lehman, a Dean’s List student, is a member of the Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business. On May 11, she will be presented with the Academic Vice President and Provost’s Award for scholastic achievement and service. She has served as a Presidential Student Ambassador and as a student representative to the Jed Foundation Mental Health Task Force.

Lehman was selected as an Awesome Women Exemplar and has been a Wildcat Dance Team member for four years. She served as an event assistant for Student Activities and as a student assistant in the Office of Facilities and Events. She is a former student representative to the Perkins Preparatory Planning Meeting.

During the ceremonies, the college will present Distinguished Teaching Awards to Penn College faculty. In addition, an Alumni Achievement Award and a Volunteer of the Year honor will be bestowed upon two alumni.

Degrees will be conferred by Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour, accompanied by Penn College Board of Directors members John M. Young, Friday, May 11; Blannie E. Bowen, Saturday, May 12 (morning); and Steven P. Johnson, Saturday, May 12 (afternoon).

For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.