"It is more than a place or a building, though," said alumnus Justin W. Beishline, assistant dean of diesel technology and natural resources. "This is a place where you were possibly introduced to your career passion. This is a place where you met mentors who fostered your talent and helped you to become a professional. This is a place where, after you left high school, you met people with similar career aspirations and built lifelong friendships. If you came here right from high school, you left a home of 18 years to forge a new life, and the people at the ESC became your new family for two years."
Also making remarks were student Michael J. Sormilic, of Southbury, Connecticut; nursery management alumnus Ronald A. Burger; and Davie Jane Gilmour, Penn College president.Sormilic, who cemented his choice of an electric power generation career during a Caterpillar internship early in his education, handily found a home amid the ESC's people and atmosphere.
"The friends I’ve made here will be friends for a lifetime. I came to Penn College to learn, and I have certainly learned more than I ever thought I would. The classes have taught me, but more importantly, have guided me, in learning beyond the classroom or laboratory walls," he said.
"I really found something I enjoy here, and I want to thank Penn College and all who have invested in my experience. Everyone here works so hard to make this place the best they can. The teachers here are dedicated to teaching, and even learning with you. I’ve been here till 9 p.m. working on projects with Mr. (Joseph C.) Straw (assistant professor of diesel equipment technology), and we are the last ones out. As we shut off all the lights, it's a weird feeling seeing this place so quiet!"
Not so quiet during the day, however, especially on a day for campuswide commemoration.
Looking out onto that crowd, Burger – who retired in October from a family business – said his time is now enjoyably spent gardening with his golden retriever who "digs holes where she shouldn't." He also maintains a tight connection to his alma mater as an alumni Tomorrow Maker and a member of the Alumni Task Force, and by annually accompanying students to the National Collegiate Landscape Competition. "One-on-one and as a team, I've been able to witness how well the students prepare, pushing beyond imaginary boundaries to consistently finish in the top 10 or higher; one of the best competing teams in the country."
Following the 1978 grad to the podium, Gilmour thanked Burger for his steadfast mentorship, ongoing support and "welcome and calming presence" for the students in those competitions. She also took the audience down memory lane to the birth of the ESC amid an already-responsive reputation with industry.
"We needed a living laboratory for our 405 forestry, horticulture, agriculture and heavy equipment students – a place for them to test theory, practice their craft and refine their skills," she said. "Thanks to passionate administrators and faculty, a new facility with expanded earth sciences programming was dedicated in 1971. It was instructors Joseph Sick and James Bressler who collaborated to drive the conversation forward. James connected with U.S. Rep. Herman T. Schneebeli, who was instrumental in transferring excess prison land for educational use. Fifty years later, the Herman T. Schneebeli Earth Science Center, named in the congressman’s honor, stands as a testament to their collective vision."
Prior to the anniversary event, the president received correspondence from Schneebeli's daughter (who was unable to attend):
"My father was committed to expanding educational opportunities for the people in his congressional district," Susan S. Belin wrote. "He would be so impressed and proud of the job Penn College has done over the last 50 years to enhance and expand this living laboratory that provides access to both technical and academic programs for the people of this region."
– Photos by Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer;
Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday; and Ashley E. Day, College Relations' manager of grants and communication
(unless otherwise noted)
"This is an important place, but it is still just a place," Beishline said. "What has made this particular place great for 50 years are the students, faculty and staff. As you walk through the building and around the grounds today, please applaud yourself for the mark you have left on the ESC culture and for how you have used the time spent here to contribute to part of its history."
Current students, employees and alumni – some of whom returned to Penn College after graduation as faculty and staff – gather in the parking lot for the day's festivities.
The assistant dean introduces Michael J. Sormilic, of Southbury, Conn., working toward an associate degree in electric power generation technology and a bachelor's in building automation engineering technology.
Young enough to look forward to returning for the ESC's centennial, Sormilic talks of how Penn College is nurturing his career goals. "I want to bring a new quality of workmanship to a company to become a highly knowledgeable and respected professional," he said. "Someone who helps others, as I always try to do, and, most importantly, someone that people enjoy being around, talking to, asking questions of and learning from – someone like the individuals I have met here."
Alumnus Burger urges the Earth Day crowd to "Make the world greener, because flowers and plants make the world sweeter."
"The Penn College tradition continues and goes well beyond specialized skills," President Gilmour said. "Our students become successful alumni who transform industries and stimulate communities. For more than a century, Penn College and its predeccessor institutions have adapted to industry needs to best prepare our students to transform tomorrow. You are a part of that proud legacy."
Conversation flowed naturally as acquaintances were renewed, and among the things most talked-about was this commemorative cake by student CC Nicole Hawkins. Hawkins, who estimated that her creation took at least 90 hours to complete with the help of first-year baking students, incorporates a number of ESC components: the main building, heavy equipment, the pond and plentiful trees – even the hydroponic lettuce grown in the greenhouse!
With a continuity of purpose that spans the decades, Horticulture Club alumni take shovels in hand. From left are Bower, who holds three Penn College degrees and serves as the club's faculty adviser; Pete Gardner, the club's first president; and Faith E. Mitchell, of Sunbury, its current president.
Hawkins, a baking and pastry arts alumna pursuing a bachelor's in applied management, explains the finely wrought intricacies of her cake.
Sormilic rejoins the president during the Heavy Equipment Rodeo ...
... where Gilmour – in true "hands-on presidency" fashion – transfers water to a cup with finesse.
Elsewhere on the "rodeo grounds," Michael J. Reed, vice president for academic affairs/provost (who will assume the presidency on July 1), picks up an egg ...
... and deftly deposits it down a tube.
Forestry-related activities included ax-throwing ...
... and the purposeful command of a collaborative crosscut saw.
Alongside its drag truck, a popular attraction wherever it goes, the Diesel Performance Club sells hoodies and other swag.
Reunions sprouted freely in the ESC greenhouses.
The Jersey Shore-based Loffredo's Tree Trimming and Removal demonstrated its Tree-Mek equipment, a versatile crane/grapple/chainsaw that can be remote-controlled from the ground.
Alumni move among ESC library tables, on which historic images were arrayed. Guests were encouraged to write any identifying information on the photos for preservation in the college archives. "Don't worry," an accompanying note reassured. "They're copies!"
Campus favorite Benjamin H. Eldred – alumnus and 2000 recipient of the college's Master Teacher honors – holds court in Nature's Cove, the ESC dining unit. Eldred retired in 2006 as an assistant professor of heavy construction equipment technology.
A hallway display of student work from Karen R. Ruhl's "Art of Floral Design" class dazzles passersby. These arrangements (from left) are by Samantha Jo Holdren, a landscape/plant production student from Virginia Beach. Va.; Larissa Jolene Ealy, baking and pastry arts, Jonestown; and Sierra Kay Page, health science, Morrisdale.
Local quilt artist Jeff Johnson assembled this compilation of "Hort Club" T-shirts into a colorful lobby hanging. The shirts were collected from 2004-20 by Carl J. Bower Jr., assistant professor of horticulture; most were created by students, in a tradition of having a new design each year, and some were especially made as team shirts for students traveling to the National Collegiate Landscape Competition.
The Pennsylvania WoodMobile, offering "an educational walk in Penn's Woods," beckons attendees to the interactive enlightenment within.
Diesel Performance Club President Marcayla M. Lutzkanin takes a cellphone photo of Gilmour as, with fearless conviction, she turns the ignition key of the smoke-pluming drag truck.
"Incredible! I'm getting chills," Gilmour tells Hawkins, after the cake artist showed her the tiny lights that add yet one more winning detail ...
... a sentiment that couldn't help but spill over into a warm presidential hug.
While parts of the large cake are technically edible, guests were encouraged to grab floral-accented cupcakes instead.
The potting of succulents added to the public's involvement and provided attractive takeaways.
Paul M. Reier, a 1977 forest technology graduate of Williamsport Area Community College, holds up an archival photo of a sign designating WACC's Earth Science Division. Reier, who retired after 42 years with the Virginia Department of Forestry, said he made the sign while a work-study student for Donald R. Nibert because its predecessor was stolen. Nibert retired as an assistant professor of forestry in 2009. (Photo by Nicole S. Warner, librarian for archives and special collections)