Penn College News

Yesterday's 'overcomers' prepped for tomorrow's challenges

Saturday, August 7, 2021

Pennsylvania College of Technology held its Summer Commencement at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Community Arts Center in downtown Williamsport, a ceremony that marked the sacrifices – and ultimate triumph – by classmates whose final year was anything but typical. Larcynina De Guzman Bitner, of Mill Hall, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physician assistant, was the student speaker. President Davie Jane Gilmour conferred degrees and presented an Alumni Mentorship Award to 2016 human services graduate LaQuinn N. Thompson; and a number of award recipients were announced among the newest alumni.


– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor




Twenty graduating radiography students were honored during a “pinning” ceremony in the Student & Administrative Services Center on Aug. 2, when each student was presented with a pin designating their new role as a graduate of the radiography major, pinned on by a loved one. During the event for graduates and their guests, radiography program employees also recognized those receiving student achievement awards at commencement, presented cords to those who had previously been inducted into the Lambda Nu national honor society for the radiologic and imaging sciences, and bestowed lighthearted “paper plate awards” to each of the students to lovingly recognize favorite memories or traits. (EDITOR'S NOTE: The event predated the college's Aug. 9 return to indoor masking protocols.)

– Photos by Jennifer A. Cline, writer/magazine editor


Karen L. Plankenhorn, clinical supervisor for radiography, presents the cords for the Pennsylvania Sigma Tau Chapter of Lambda Nu to Dawson Coates, of Harrison Valley. Lambda Nu is a national honor society for the radiologic and imaging sciences. The chapter was established at Penn College in June 2020. In background is inductee Hunter W. Adams, of Mount Union. Eight 2021 graduates were inducted.

Karen L. Plankenhorn, clinical supervisor for radiography, presents the cords for the Pennsylvania Sigma Tau Chapter of Lambda Nu to Dawson Coates, of Harrison Valley. Lambda Nu is a national honor society for the radiologic and imaging sciences. The chapter was established at Penn College in June 2020. In background is inductee Hunter W. Adams, of Mount Union. Eight 2021 graduates were inducted.

Heidi Calhoun-Nudd pins her daughter Madison I. Nudd, of Shinglehouse.

Heidi Calhoun-Nudd pins her daughter Madison I. Nudd, of Shinglehouse.

A celebratory gathering outside the SASC

A celebratory gathering outside the SASC