'Wildcat Pride' abundantly displayed at combined celebration
Sunday, October 6, 2019
– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor; Jennifer A. Cline, writer/magazine editor;
Juvy A. Orillaza, student photographer; Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday;
Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer;
Angie E. Myers, director of annual giving; and Rhonda S. Walker, alumni relations specialist
One of the dental hygiene program’s first faculty members, President Gilmour addresses attendees of a dental hygiene reunion that marked 40 years since the program’s first students graduated in 1979.
A member of the first dental hygiene class in 1979, Bonnie Shearer, stands up to be recognized by Shawn A. Kiser, director of dental hygiene. Shearer’s classmate Suzanne Pearson was also among the 85 alumni and faculty members in attendance for the program’s reunion, which included a continuing education seminar, lunch, and tours of the dental hygiene clinic.
Caryn Tierney, RDH, BSDH, MA, and clinical educator north central region for Dentsply Sirona, provides a continuing education session titled “From Risk to Results: Periodontal Instrumentation for the Advanced Practioner.”
Megan M. Mecouch, who earned an associate degree in dental hygiene in May and is enrolled in the college’s dental hygiene bachelor’s degree major, talks with alumni about her experience in the dental hygiene program’s study abroad course, which took her and classmates to the Dominican Republic to provide dental hygiene services. The college has offered the study abroad course for 12 years.
Dental Hygiene Reunion attendees assemble near the Campus Center.
Before touring the Dental Hygiene Clinic, alumni gather for a photo, taken by Mary Jo Saxe, associate professor of dental hygiene, to be sent to longtime Dental Hygiene Clinic dentist Dr. Tom Klena, who recently retired.
Dental hygiene progam director Shawn A. Kiser shows off the features of student workstations, upgraded during a renovation of the Dental Hygiene Clinic in 2016.
The paramedic program's clinical director, Mindy L. Carr, reunites with 2017 graduate Jacob Knable, who traveled from North Carolina, where he works as a paramedic.
2010 paramedic graduates Jenna Hunt (standing) and Matt Kershes look over the attendees list with Kershes’ wife.
Gathered for a paramedic group photo
Six of the paramedic program's 12 first graduates attended a reunion in the Professional Development Center, as did the program’s first coordinator. Back row, from left: Stephen Wirth, Gene LeFavor and Walter Sinatra. Middle row, from left: Scott Williams, Carol Yorks and Charles Stutzman. Front row: Lanea Ruffaner, the program’s first coordinator.
Current and former faculty and administrators in the paramedic group are (from left): Brady L. Breon, Mark A. Trueman, Bambi A. Hawkins, Scott Williams, Stephen Wirth, Lanea Ruffaner, Joe Hopple, Greg Frailey, Erich Frank, Chris Boyer, Mindy Carr, Carol Yorks, Charles Stutzman, Albert Morrison and Timothy Shumbat.
Following a standing ovation, the paramedic program’s first coordinator offers a few words, wishing good luck to the group and reassuring them: “You’ll be the best in the country.”
This group of five worked together, riding Williamsport Hospital’s Ambulance 1 and Medic 91. Four of them graduated in the same class year. From left are Emmett Thomas, Michael Matzinger, Jim Potope, James Slotterback and Bob Chimielewski.
Akaya K. Lacey, a business management student from Jim Thorpe, joins her mother and her boyfriend’s mother in creating Wildcat-themed artwork.
Live music adds to a pleasant backdrop of fall on the Campus Center patio, where families made crafts and relaxed.
Frank T. Kocsis, a graphic design student from Dickson City, creates a Penn College blue-hued mosaic.
Joined by her family, Faith N. Myers, a pre-nursing student from Bridgeport, searches her phone for inspiration as she decorates a memento.
Alexa D. Scatamacchia, a culinary arts and systems student from Fleetwood, and Gloria F. Boronow, an applied management student from Denver, Pa., skillfully paint coffee mugs.
Allyson K. Bigler, an aviation maintenance technology student from Stewartstown, and Abby G. Seebold, a pre-nursing student from New Columbia, show off their work.
Geared up in PCT and WACC T-shirts, best friends unite at New Trail: Jessica (Wiegand) Layre (left), ’16, business administration: marketing concentration, and Kacie L. Weaver, ’16, applied human services.
Building construction alumni from the first Williamsport Area Community College graduating class in 1966 were among those enjoying Saturday evening reminiscing. From left: Jack Ziegler, Don McTarnaghan and Mike Schmidt met and became friends at WACC (one professor referred to them as “The Three Musketeers”) and have remained friends for more than 50 years. Four months after graduating from WACC, all three went to Vietnam, serving in the Navy Seabees, a construction battalion, before returning stateside to begin their construction careers.
With indoor and outdoor gathering spaces at its inviting venue west of campus, New Trail offers a pleasant evening for an alumni get-together.
Brothers bonding! Cheering their Homecoming are Penn College alumni from three different (current and former) fraternities: Phi Mu Delta, Sigma Nu and Chi Phi.
A 7-year-old black lab named Ivan enjoys the Saturday evening festivities at New Trail with his “mom,” Christa L. Watson, ’18, business administration: management concentration, who is director of development at the Lycoming County SPCA. In the background are Watson’s friends Danielle M. Logan, ’18, dental hygiene, and Sarah I. Tielmann, ’18, baking and pastry arts.
Rachel A. Eirmann, ’19, individual studies, in the amber glow of a fall night outside New Trail.
Brandon R. Weirman (center), a freshman in electrical technology from Audubon, enjoys a photo op with his parents, sister and grandmother.
Because he misses the dogs, Brandon D. Hopwood Jr.’s family brought them along to Parent & Family Weekend! Hopwood (at center), of Collegeville, is a freshman in human services and restorative justice.
Emalie M. Marnati (15), with one of her two blocks against Elmira College on Saturday.
Kylee D. Butz (16), rises above the net during a hard-fought Bardo Gym performance by the Wildcats.
Peyton E. Homan (12) amassed nine kills in the Homecoming volleyball match.
A welcome sight on a crisp fall night, a bonfire beckons weekend attendees.
A flicker of flames lights the Madigan Library lawn.
Free T-shirts AND "walking tacos?" What could be better!
Music, giveaways and Wildcat spirit help kick off the weekend at Friday's bonfire.
Rise & Shine Nutrition, on West Fourth Street, was among the downtown businesses opening its doors and arms to campus guests for First Friday.
Student Government Association President Patrick C. Ferguson puts his infectious good nature to good use.
Dining Services staffers Jessica A. Fink (left) and Rachel M. Hastings wear their college gear (and their genuine smiles) at Saturday's "Breakfast With President Gilmour."
Electrical technology student Michael Rizzon, of Warren, N.J., joins his parents and the president for a Capitol Eatery breakfast.
In a Homecoming tradition that will continue through Open House on the final Sunday of the month, the Veterans' Fountain sends up a plume of blue.
Guests board a River Valley Transit bus for a tour of Historic Williamsport.
Nick M. Snow, of Dover, in his first year toward a plastics and polymer engineering technology degree, demonstrates a blow-molding machine for his father and grandmother ...
... and displays would-be plastic bottles in the instructional lab.
Coach Howard welcomes visitors to the exhibition game and acknowledges that one of the teams is sporting black jerseys, but that the name – “The Blue and White Classic” – remains a tradition.
On hand to welcome members of the Wildcat Club to the Blue and White game are (from left) Student Development Assistants Zachary J. Kravitz and Andy P. Luzeckyj, and Angie E. Myers, director of annual giving. Kravitz is a construction management student from Berwyn and Luzeckyj is an automotive technology student from Southampton. Free food was also offered to all fans.
Assistant Baseball Coach Levon A. Whitmyer and players honor the playing of the national anthem. A building construction technology instructor, Whitmyer is also an alumnus and a member of the first Penn College baseball team.
Despite cloudy skies and an October chill, fans were happy to support the baseball team and enjoy the beauty of the BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.
With a long line of supporters eying the action from “Loggers Landing,” Nathan Holt winds up for a pitch. Holt, of Shippensburg, is enrolled in residential construction technology and management: building construction technology concentration.
Camaraderie and good-natured intimidation during a morning drive.
Harrison M. Hanyon (right), a building construction technology major from Broadheadsville, hits the links with parents Connie J. Merwine and Joseph P. Hanyon.
Getting the lay of the land is Barney A. Kahn IV, among those enjoying Alumni Relations' outing at White Deer Golf Course.
Ken W. Engel, the college's coordinator of digital publishing, exhibits additional skills at the tee.
The Buterbaugh twins (center) share a playful moment during a no-doubt-"serious" round of golf.
Soccer Hall of Famer Brennan (third from left) displays his multisport prowess in a Saturday golf foursome.
Gaven D. Crosby (right), ’17, emergency management technology, met one-on-one with students to review their resumes and career goals after addressing emergency management and paramedic classes. Crosby, a training manager with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, meets here with emergency management student Joshua M. Walter, of Spotsylvania, Va.
As part of the “Alumni in the Classroom” feature on Thursday and Friday, working professionals returned to share their experiences with students. In the Klump Academic Center Auditorium, Kacie L. Weaver, ’16, applied human services, discusses her role as a behavioral health specialist with adult inpatients at Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute.
A year older and a bit taller! The list of contributors to the Wildcat Club, which supports Penn College Athletics in a number of ways, has grown since the 2018 Hall of Fame banquet.
Alongside illuminated jewel boxes containing Hall of Fame rings and a pendant, the Wildcats' No. 1 fan welcomes guests.
Taking advantage of campus beauty – and Friday's last vestiges of sunshine prior to the Hall of Fame ceremony – are (from left): Zachary J. Buterbaugh, Christopher P. Brennan, President Davie Jane Gilmour, Cody B. Buterbaugh and Matt Blymier, assistant director of athletics/sports information director. This year's fourth inductee, Teresa S. Burrill, was absent due to employment abroad.
Teammate Craig T. Watson (left), who introduced Zachary, returns to the lineup with the twin brothers and their former coach.
... and juggles photographer duty for a bling-flashing honoree, his fiancee, mother and grandmother.
Former coach Enrique Castillo (third from left) returned for Brennan's induction ...
Photos of each hall-of-fame athlete were projected during their induction.
Burrill's parents accept Teresa's award from Blymier and Gilmour ...
... while their daughter, working in Romania, delivers her gratitude via video.
In introducing Cody Buterbaugh, and reminiscing about the brothers' time as Wildcats, Chris H. Howard says, "I believe I was a better coach because I was YOUR coach."
Rob J. Buterbaugh, acknowledged in remarks by both of his sons, poses for a "postgame" photo by Eyvonne Howard (wife of the Wildcat baseball coach). Loving tribute was also paid to the Buterbaughs' mother, Kim M., who died three months after their 2014 graduation from Penn College.
Brennan, shown in a slideshow with a variety of creative haircuts, addresses their genesis in his preliminary remarks.
Leading a tour through the double-decker HVAC lab for his family (including a grandfather in the industry) is Nate C. Williamson, of Lafayette Hill, enrolled in heating, ventilation and air conditioning design technology.
There's fall in the air AND in the bed of the abandoned-truck fountain outside College Avenue Labs.
As the sun rises on Day Two of the weekend, shadows slowly creep across an inviting campus landmark.
Kevin Imes (left), who earned degrees in construction management (’03) and building construction technology (’07), joins alumni colleagues Elizabeth A. (’03, plastics and polymer engineering technology) and Nicholas D. Biddle (’07, graphic design) in a recreation of a near-identical photo from Homecoming 2011.
Cheers to Penn College alumni! Among those staying connected to their alma mater through the Tomorrow Makers Program is Meghan C. Cunningham, a 2014 graduate in individual studies.
Loni N. Kline, vice president for institutional advancement, talks with McTarnaghan and his wife, Patty, under the Friday night tent.
An involved student leader at Penn College, Kirk M. Allen – holder of several business degrees and a Penn State doctoral candidate in public administration – reunites with Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management/associate provost.
As a toasty bonfire rages on the opposite end of campus, Rhonda S. Walker, alumni relations specialist, and Angie E. Myers, director of annual giving, huddle against the chill outside the Alumni & Friends Tent Party.
Before traveling to UPMC Field for his Pep Band gig at Saturday's soccer doubleheader, Peter H. Gregory (center), a welding and fabrication engineering technology major from Gambrills, Md., provides parents and grandparents with a tour of his expanded lab.
Donald J. McTarnaghan (right), a 1966 carpentry and building construction alumnus, speaks with a concrete class during a return visit to the School of Construction & Design Technologies. Semi-retired at the age of 74, he still works 50 to 60 hours a week as a partner and project manager for JDK LLC general contractors. He credits Williamsport Area Community College with helping him begin a career path that has been very satisfying, both personally and professionally.
Checking out the cars on display at the annual Phi Mu Delta show, which this year benefits the YWCA.
Classic Dodges – a 1975 Dart Swinger owned by Christopher J. Holley, an assistant professor of automotive, and a 1973 Challenger owned by Don Flook – await their audience.
Mitchell J. Berninger, a 2017 graduate in web and interactive media, polishes his 2018 Subaru Crosstrek at the charity car show.
The three ordained ministers among the first two graduating paramedic classes offer a short pre-dinner prayer, each providing one word before passing the microphone. From left are Howard Woodruff, Scott Williams (who traveled from Biloxi, Miss.) and Charles Stutzman.