Penn College News

Warm holiday happenings take the chill off

Thursday, November 29, 2018

A pair of campus holiday traditions dovetailed near dusk Wednesday: the fifth annual decorating of the Veterans Tree outside Madigan Library and the lighting of the oversized greeting cards on the mall. Chet Beaver, coordinator of veteran and military services, mustered a hardy troop of helpers to hang 399 stars fabricated in the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies to represent Penn College’s veterans and active-duty servicemen and women. As a blustery day gave way to a briskly brutal evening, the card-lighting ceremony took place at the Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center. In the office/department category, Dining Services placed first, Financial Aid was second and General Services finished in third place. Among student organizations, Cru topped the vote-getters, Women in Construction was second and the Veterans Club placed third.


– Photos by Rachel A. Eirmann, student photographer,
and Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday




 College President Davie Jane Gilmour ends the suspense with announcement of this year's winners.

College President Davie Jane Gilmour ends the suspense with announcement of this year's winners.

The Veterans Club won third prize among student organizations with its Iwo Jima-themed entry.

The Veterans Club won third prize among student organizations with its Iwo Jima-themed entry.

Families bask in the holiday glow.

Families bask in the holiday glow.

Cru took first-place honors in the card competition.

Cru took first-place honors in the card competition.

Encouraged to attend by his First Year Experience instructor, electrical technology freshman Hutson O. Metzger, of Williamsport, enjoys the ceremony.

Encouraged to attend by his First Year Experience instructor, electrical technology freshman Hutson O. Metzger, of Williamsport, enjoys the ceremony.

The second-place winner, crafted by Women in Construction, beckons onlookers with a warm welcome.

The second-place winner, crafted by Women in Construction, beckons onlookers with a warm welcome.

A phalanx of greeting cards, already impressive for its diverse array of creativity and messages, awaits the transcendence that nightfall will bring.

A phalanx of greeting cards, already impressive for its diverse array of creativity and messages, awaits the transcendence that nightfall will bring.

Festive iced Rice Krispies, cake pops and hot chocolate make the cold night a bit more bearable.

Festive iced Rice Krispies, cake pops and hot chocolate make the cold night a bit more bearable.

Student Government Association President Everett B. Appleby addresses the bundled-up crowd.

Student Government Association President Everett B. Appleby addresses the bundled-up crowd.

The ATHS lobby offers shelter and treats.

The ATHS lobby offers shelter and treats.

The Wildcat adds some mingle to the jingle.

The Wildcat adds some mingle to the jingle.

Jonathan R. Sutcliffe, of Orangeville, a manufacturing engineering technology major, provides a steadying hand for his colleagues.

Jonathan R. Sutcliffe, of Orangeville, a manufacturing engineering technology major, provides a steadying hand for his colleagues.

Stars on the tree honor the college's military family ... and duplicate those on the flag beyond.

Stars on the tree honor the college's military family ... and duplicate those on the flag beyond.

Teamwork guides another strand into place.

Teamwork guides another strand into place.

Veterans Work Study student Efrem K. Foster (center), of Williamsport, graduating next month in applied management, and Emily J. Jones, an accounting major from Avis, offer moral support as Beaver untangles a jumble of wire.

Veterans Work Study student Efrem K. Foster (center), of Williamsport, graduating next month in applied management, and Emily J. Jones, an accounting major from Avis, offer moral support as Beaver untangles a jumble of wire.

Four glass balls, containing commemorative ribbons bought in an annual Giving Tree benefit for a veterans charity, await placement on the branches.

Four glass balls, containing commemorative ribbons bought in an annual Giving Tree benefit for a veterans charity, await placement on the branches.

With the upper-level stars aligned, the team hand-places the remaining ornaments. From left are Beaver; Brandon R. Belack, of Halifax, a surveying technology major and Veterans Work Study student; Jones and Foster.

With the upper-level stars aligned, the team hand-places the remaining ornaments. From left are Beaver; Brandon R. Belack, of Halifax, a surveying technology major and Veterans Work Study student; Jones and Foster.

General Services' Matthew P. Barrett, a second-shift horticulturalist, takes the difficulty out of those hard-to-reach places.

General Services' Matthew P. Barrett, a second-shift horticulturalist, takes the difficulty out of those hard-to-reach places.

Student artistry extended beyond the cards – well beyond, in fact – as automotive restoration and metal fabrication majors created a jaw-dropping 12-foot toy soldier.

Student artistry extended beyond the cards – well beyond, in fact – as automotive restoration and metal fabrication majors created a jaw-dropping 12-foot toy soldier.