Penn College News

How was your Welcome Weekend? (masking for a friend)

Monday, August 17, 2020

Monday's start of classes marked the academic onset of the Fall 2020 semester, but the new year officially began with Penn College’s Welcome Weekend and Friday/Saturday move-in days for new students. Although social distancing and restrictions on group gatherings didn't allow for some of the traditional community-building activities, the vibe was as warm as the weather. And as mandatory (and properly worn) face coverings have been added to each day's wardrobe, there was a heartening level of compliance with the college's words to literally live by: "Hands-on, masks-on."


– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor;
and Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday


Latricia R. Yocum (left), physician assistant studies; Bridgette R. Snyder, secretary to Public Relations & Marketing; and men's basketball head coach Geoff B. Hensley greet students and their families arriving for check-in at the Bush Campus Center. Yocum, from Watsontown, also works as a health assistant/EMT with College Health Services.

Latricia R. Yocum (left), physician assistant studies; Bridgette R. Snyder, secretary to Public Relations & Marketing; and men's basketball head coach Geoff B. Hensley greet students and their families arriving for check-in at the Bush Campus Center. Yocum, from Watsontown, also works as a health assistant/EMT with College Health Services.

Getting lined up for his temperature check is freshman Ryan P. Eash, of Hooversville. A first-year student in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology, Eash is about to become well-versed in the importance of an optimal thermal readout.

Getting lined up for his temperature check is freshman Ryan P. Eash, of Hooversville. A first-year student in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology, Eash is about to become well-versed in the importance of an optimal thermal readout.

With the added safety of distancing and Plexiglas shields in The College Store, students pick up textbooks and supplies to start the semester.

With the added safety of distancing and Plexiglas shields in The College Store, students pick up textbooks and supplies to start the semester.

Masked movers exhibit an abundance of energy, making them picture-perfect ambassadors for the task ahead.

Masked movers exhibit an abundance of energy, making them picture-perfect ambassadors for the task ahead.

Even four-wheeled members of the college family kept a wide berth on move-in day!

Even four-wheeled members of the college family kept a wide berth on move-in day!

Freshman Destiny K. Kingkiner, a pre-nursing student from Ambler, clutches her stuffed cat for safe transit to a comfy home away from home.

Freshman Destiny K. Kingkiner, a pre-nursing student from Ambler, clutches her stuffed cat for safe transit to a comfy home away from home.

Seth J. Bradley follows the Wildcat's path, toting his comforter, pillow, etc. into York Hall. A Pottstown resident, he’s enrolled in landscape/horticulture technology: landscape emphasis.

Seth J. Bradley follows the Wildcat's path, toting his comforter, pillow, etc. into York Hall. A Pottstown resident, he’s enrolled in landscape/horticulture technology: landscape emphasis.

Bountifully blue skies and a gorgeously green campus accompany new students (and the U-Hall Crew) in delivering provisions by the binload.

Bountifully blue skies and a gorgeously green campus accompany new students (and the U-Hall Crew) in delivering provisions by the binload.

"Grab-n-go lunch bags" (with disposable flatware in buckets) stand ready for pickup in Capitol Eatery. Guests walked through the dining unit's various stations to place their choices into the bags - a sandwich or salad, one side dish, a dessert, chips and a beverage - for a complimentary meal during their respite from Welcome Weekend chores.

A pause for refreshment before rejoining physician assistant classmates

A pause for refreshment before rejoining physician assistant classmates

Chalk it up to wisdom! Student leaders shared sidewalk messages across campus as the semester got underway.

Chalk it up to wisdom! Student leaders shared sidewalk messages across campus as the semester got underway.

Campus signage helps with opening-day acclimation.

Campus signage helps with opening-day acclimation.

Resident Assistant Danielle E. Malesky, a construction management major from Biglerville, snags a snack on the campus mall.

Resident Assistant Danielle E. Malesky, a construction management major from Biglerville, snags a snack on the campus mall.

Three Wildcat Welcome tables – this one at the ATHS entrance, attracting first-year plastics students Jon J. and Jake T. Twardowski – provided convenient (and individually wrapped) goodies for the first day of fall classes.

Three Wildcat Welcome tables – this one at the ATHS entrance, attracting first-year plastics students Jon J. and Jake T. Twardowski – provided convenient (and individually wrapped) goodies for the first day of fall classes.