Launch party playfully ushers audience to 'Prime'-time premiere

An appropriately festive atmosphere pervaded campus on Thursday, as anticipation mounted for that night's premiere of the Penn College episode of "The College Tour." Leading up to the initial showing in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium (and its streaming debut on Amazon Prime shortly thereafter) were a variety of games and other activities from one end of campus to the other. Among the attractions were free Penn State Creamery ice cream, snow cones and popcorn; a dunk tank to benefit the Student Leader Legacy Scholarship; and the ever-popular availability of four-legged hugs. The evening's big moment was preceded by remarks by those involved in the show's production – including a video welcome from host Alex Boylan – and the episode itself was greeted with bursts of appreciative applause for each of the 10 featured students, some of whom attended with family and fans.

– Photos by Frank T. Kocsis III, student photographer;
Nicole R. Lichtinger, an emergency management & homeland security student from Erie (and a keeper on the Wildcat women's soccer team);
and Kimberlee R. Rusczyk, manager of social media/online marketing (and launch coordinator)

 

 

... and other "kids," too, as in this goat photo by Ashley Raspen from Buttinhead Farms in Hunlock Creek.

Phi Mu Delta fraternity brothers, joined by a faithful friend, staffed the popcorn maker.

"Penn College Proud" paramedic students surround their favorite mascot.

Sure, the Wildcat is a formidable foe athletically, baring its claws when the competitive spirit moves.

But there's a gentleness within, especially when it comes to dogs (like Merlin, a Cardigan Welsh corgi owned by General Services' Don J. Luke) ...

Smile and say, "(Goat) cheese!"

Rob Cooley, associate professor of anthropology/environmental science, takes a no-doubt-refreshing drop into the drink due to a hurler's precise hand-eye coordination. Other dunk-tank volunteers included Jordan G. Williams, lacrosse coach, and Scott E. Kennell, director of athletics.

Vinyl paw prints point the way to the big day.

If the past is prologue, students will never tire of the instantaneous stress relief inherent in petting a goat.

Cody Reed, from Cody's Creamery in Muncy, scoops and serves yummy ice cream to add some much-needed coolness on a sticky summer day.

Hard-throwing Erin S. Shultz, career events manager, lends her scholarship support ...

... in trying to unseat Brian D. Walton, alumnus and assistant dean of business and hospitality.

"Hot Dog, You're Here," held concurrently by Counseling Services at the south end of campus, lets students enjoy some canine interaction, courtesy of faculty/staff pet owners.

Students wrote what they've learned from their pets, sharing that wisdom via sticky notes.

Representing Residence Life and gamely volunteering at the dunk tank are students Andrew C. Darling (left) and Frank A. Orzehoski.

Prior to his ball toss at the benefit dunk tank, college President Michael J. Reed shows he can juggle much more than day-to-day responsibilities.

... inquisitive children ...

Mangene (left foreground) – softball player; heating, ventilation & air conditioning design technology student; and one of the stars of the video tour – livens up the ACC photo booth just beyond the ceremonial blue carpet.

Caila N. Flanagan, who quickly went from business graduate to Residence Life employee, says involvement with "The College Tour" took her from "We'll see" ... to "What did I get myself into?" ... to a "once-in-a-lifetime experience."

The president – cognizant of being the "only thing standing between you and the episode" – keeps his message short and simple, emphasizing the thrill of "seeing the passions and talents of our tomorrow makers on the enormous stage of Amazon Prime."

Carlos Ramos, the college's director of strategic marketing and (with Sumer A. Beatty, marketing communications manager) the show's co-producer, provides a "launch" of his own by sending a commemorative T-shirt into the audience.

Lauryn A. Stauffer, an automation engineering technology: robotics & automation student from Bath, reacts to winning a $200 Amazon gift card. Announcement of door-prizes was the near-culmination of the daylong celebration, which ended with a Q&A between the campus production team and students in the Introduction to Cinema class taught by Joe Loehr, associate professor of mass media communication/English-composition, and Adam J. Miller, manager of instructional media production.

Reserved front-row seating awaits the students who share their stories during "The College Tour."

Staffing the T-shirt giveaway (and modeling the inventory) outside the ACC, the venue for the premiere, are Wildcat softball players (from left) Ivvy R. Morder, Hailey J. DeBrody, Maggie J. Mangene, Alyssa Rusnock and Skyelar K. Splain.