With this year’s support, the Penn College Foundation Golf Classic Scholarship Fund now totals nearly $2.1 million. Proceeds from the annual Golf Classic and accumulated investment income created the endowed scholarship fund, one of the foundation’s largest.
Mediate, a Greensburg native who has also won three times on the Champions Tour, including the 2016 Senior PGA Championship, hosted a driving-range exhibition and played three holes with seven foursomes during the event, held at the Williamsport Country Club.
“We are so appreciative of the commitment and support from the community,” said Kyle A. Smith, executive director of college relations and the Penn College Foundation. “While the weather was excellent, and Rocco was such a great addition to this year’s Classic, we know the true winners at this event are our students, who will gain access to a hands-on, applied technology education because of the generous support of all of the Golf Classic’s sponsors.”Title sponsor for the event was Compass Group North America.
Other event sponsors were:
Tournament sponsors: Fisher Mining Co. and Hudock Capital Group LLC.
Pro sponsors: Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., The Hartman Group, M&T Bank, McCormick Law Firm and TurnKey Electric Inc.
Hospitality sponsors: John & JR Confer, the Klingerman family and Wayne Township Landfill.
Gift sponsors: Clark Contractors Inc., Eastern Alliance Insurance Group, Girio Agency, Susquehanna Trailways and Woodlands Bank.
Breakfast sponsors: Country Store Brand Meats, Lycoming Bakery and Don Waltman’s Market House Meats & Deli.
Closest-to-the-pin sponsors: Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships, Fairfield Auto Group, and Mark and Connie Sitler.
Golf ball drop sponsor: Allison Crane & Rigging.
For the ball-drop event, President Davie Jane Gilmour, participating in her final Golf Classic before her June 30 retirement, ascended 128 feet by crane to drop the golf balls used in the fundraising activity. Donors purchased numbered golf balls that were dropped from aloft, with prizes going to those whose entries landed closest to the pin.
Longtime participants recognized for their loyal patronage of the event were Blaise Alexander Dealerships, which has participated every year of the Golf Classic’s 36-year history; Fairfield Auto Group, 30 years; Highmark and Roche Financial, 20 years; and M&S Conversion, 10 years.
Penn College Foundation Golf Committee members coordinating this year’s event were Aubrey Alexander, Larry Allison Jr., Dave Coates, John Confer, George Girio, Michael Hudock, Phil Johnson, Chris Keiser, Allen Kiessling, Ray Mattie, Rick Quigley, Paul Rooney, Mark Sitler, Steve Sleboda and Blair Soars.
For more about giving opportunities at Penn College, visit College Relations or call 570-320-8020.
The college is a national leader in applied technology education. For more, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free at 800-367-9222.
– Photos by Becky J. Shaner, senior manager of donor relations and special events;
and Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer
Larry Allison Jr., a foundation director and scholarship donor, with the president
Longtime event supporters: Ed and Linda Alberts (left), of Ralph S. Alberts Co. Inc., and Maggie and Dave Roche, of Roche Financial Inc. Linda and Maggie serve on the foundation board, the former as first vice chair.
Maggie Roche steps up to support Penn College students ... to a tee!
Adding to this foursome's fun, Golf Classic committee member Mark Sitler kneels to lessen his height advantage over teammate Ray Wheeland. Both are members of the Penn College Foundation Board of Directors.
Enjoying a picture-perfect day are (from left) Rodd Melzer, Blair Soars, Marshall Welch III and Chris Vassallo. Soars also sponsors the college's My Tomorrow camp for middle school students, and Welch is among the benefactors of the campus makerspace that carries his father's name.
Foundation board member Daniel Klingerman, whose family was among the event's sponsors, watches his chip ...
... and finishes off the hole with an assured tap-in.
Even in the closing days of her presidency, there's no shortage of Gilmour goodwill – especially when greeting those who share her commitment to student success.
Harnessed for safety for her uplifting task, courtesy of Allison Crane & Rigging ...
... President Davie Jane Gilmour drops numbered golf balls for a closest-to-the-pin fundraiser.
The gallery watches Mediate's presentation at the country club driving range.
Club in hand, alumnus Aubrey Alexander (2009, business administration), anchors his team. Alexander is also a member of the foundation and of its Golf Classic Committee.
Before addressing the ball, Mediate talks with golfers assembled for his exhibition.
A golf ball heads for its intended target, apropos a pro's precision.