– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor; Jennifer A. Cline, writer/magazine editor;
Alexis M. Burrell and Frank T. Kocsis III, student photographers; Becky J. Shaner, senior manager of donor relations and special events;
Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday; Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer;
and Kimberlee R. Rusczyk, manager of social media/online marketing
(unless otherwise noted)
Wildcat Blue – a signature color on this campus, in fall and any other season – adorns the floral feature near the tennis courts ...
Emily R. Heller, information desk assistant and a student in landscape/plant technology and applied management, offers a rundown of Saturday’s activities to a family. Heller is from Northampton.
The College Store sees a steady stream of Wildcat Weekend customers ready to wear Penn College pride on their sleeves.
This way to more family, alumni and community-friendly activities
First-year plastics & polymer engineering technology student Joshua R. Kimbel, of Herndon, Va., explains the workings of a hydraulic extruder to his parents, Susanne and Brian.
Four food trucks provided sustenance throughout Saturday afternoon’s activities.
Amy Feaster (left), a North Penn-Liberty High School student doing a job shadow activity to learn more about event planning, joins Student Engagement assistant directors Jaycie M. Loud (center) and Meghan R. Delsite Coleman to share giveaways, information and a friendly welcome at the women’s soccer game.
Engineering CAD technology student Cameron Musser (center), of Gilbertsville, gives his family a lesson on design in an engineering design technology lab. He is joined by his grandparents Barb and Bud Baldwin, sister Grace and mother, Brooke.
Just starting on a 24-hour livestream gaming marathon to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network – and specifically Geisinger Medical Center – are members of the Gamers Guild, with adviser Joshua J. Rice, instructor of plastics technology. The livestream was available through noon Sunday on the guild’s Twitch account – pctgamersguild – and through Extra Life. The club hosts the event annually and raised around $500 for Geisinger in 2021.
Getting their fingers (and probably their toes) wet at one of the campus’s newest water features are architecture student Tyler N. Crushong, of Abbottstown, and brother Miles.
Celebrating their collegiate connections on The Victorian House porch are Connections Link Katheryn E. Cline, of Berwick, a human services & restorative justice student; former Connections Link Annika I. Turner, ’22, who earned degrees in baking & pastry arts and applied management, and Turner’s college roommate Madison Y. Cooper, ’22, whose degrees are in culinary arts technology and applied management.
Students of the Uptown Music Collective entertain weekend visitors on the Bush Campus Center patio.
Members of the Wildcat softball team staff a concession table at the women’s soccer game.
Pre-dental hygiene student Reagan C. Homer, of Indiana, Pa., is joined in the stands by brother-sister duo Leah C., a fellow pre-dental hygiene student, and Paul I. Calabro, an electronics & computer engineering technology student. They are from Stewartsville, N.J.
The Penn College Pep Band performs throwback cartoon theme song favorites during halftime at the women’s soccer game.
Construction management student Mitchell P. Vitale (second from right), of Auburn, N.Y., joins his family near the Veterans Fountain.
A welcoming bunch staffs a table in the Campus Center. From left: Danielle M. Liddic, employer and industry manager for Career Services; Presidential Student Ambassador Lauryn A. Stauffer; Erin S. Shultz, career events manager; and Stephanie A. Golder, an admissions counselor.
A River Valley Transit trolley loads passengers outside the Campus Center for a popular Historic Williamsport tour.
A family browses “Geometric Aljamía,” the current exhibit in The Gallery at Penn College.
... and the Veterans Fountain, annually dyed for the festive occasion.
While giving a campus tour to his special guests, Michael A. Kurtzhals, an automotive technology student from Chadds Ford, pauses for a photo op.
And what's a tent party without a bunch of happy brewing alumni? Returning in full force (and bringing their brews, too) is this crew plus instructor Timothy L. Yarrington (fifth from right).
Welcome home, indeed!
After checking ID, Elizabeth A. Biddle (left), senior corporate relations director, places an official wristband on the arm of Thomas E. Wentz, ’20, information technology: network specialist concentration.
Always a good sport, Caila N. Flanagan, ’22, business administration: management concentration, answers questions posed by Kimberlee R. Rusczyk, digital marketing manager, for a video project being shot by Christopher J. Leigh, video producer. Flanagan is a residence life coordinator.
An ideal autumn day, brimming with amber ambiance – in beers and in leaves
Framed for fun: Natascha G. Santaella (left) and friend Andrew Hankinson join Tia La for a night of celebration. Santaella earned degrees in baking & pastry arts (’18) and applied management (’20), and was recently hired as a coordinator of student engagement at her alma mater. La is a 2020 physician assistant alumna.
Repping the college’s forerunner, Williamsport Area Community College, is a regular fan of alumni engagement: Van Johnson, ’73, liberal arts.
Alumnus Robert G. Jackson III takes his turn in the spotlight. When asked about his favorite professor, Jackson, ’17, residential construction technology management and ’16, building construction technology, recalled the inspiration and encouragement of Levon A. Whitmyer (building construction technology), Craig A. Miller (history/political science) and Curt E. Vander Vere (math).
A ‘70s ensemble from Uptown Music Collective entertains the crowd beside the tent.
It's a joy-filled reunion for (from left) David A. Gadalla, ’19, aviation maintenance technology, and ’18, aviation technology; Cole A. Gehman, ’20, electronics & computer engineering technology, and ’20, automation engineering technology: robotics & automation emphasis; Cody Allen, ’18 business administration: marketing concentration; and Ali D. Petrizzi, ’20, graphic design.
Totes full of T-shirts
Under the tent, conversations roll
Michael Ferraiolo (left), ’11, aviation maintenance technology, and ’10, aviation technology, enjoys the evening with his wife, Melyssa, and friends employed by New Trail Brewing Co.
The president takes to the microphone to toast all of the evening’s supporters and the success of the college’s alumni.
Alumnus Kevin L. and Lauren Imes (left) celebrate years of friendship with Elizabeth A. and Nicholas D. Biddle (right).
Kevin holds degrees in building construction technology (2003) and construction management (2007); Liz in plastics & polymer technology (2002) and plastics & polymer engineering technology (2003); and Nick in graphic design (2007).
Fresh from the Athletics Hall of Fame gathering are (from left) Khrista Baran and coach Chander, Blymier, and Britni Mohney, assistant director of athletics/head women's basketball coach.
A fall tradition renews its snap, crackle and popularity.
Silouhetted by warm Friday night firelight
The Hatchet House, a downtown phenomenon in only three years' time, returns to campus with its portable version.
Supporting his beloved (and now World Series-bound) Philadelphia Phillies, Michael J. Hersh joins son, Harrison, at fireside. Hersh is an instructional development specialist in Educational & Emerging Technologies.
Friends signal their approval of Friday's bonfire, a toasty start to a weekend of reuniting and reminiscing.
UPMC Field, peerless home turf of Wildcats on the prowl
Forward Sara Darlington – who assisted Kaelynn Sheetz on two of her four goals against Penn State Abington – delivers a powerful kick.
Perfect in goal with five saves, Nicole Lichtinger preserves the 11-0 shutout and helps write the Wildcats' ticket to a postseason berth in the United East Conference.
Dylan Dailey maneuvers around defenders.
Nathan Schwartz (20) hammers home the Wildcats' only men's goal of the day, his first of the season.
Midfielders Brandon Ratjavong (14) and Schwartz work the offense in a close match against Penn State Abington.
... before the entourage moved to The James Restaurant downtown for a fall social with coach Pankil Chander (kneeling at center).
Spectators get a glimpse of action on the mat during Saturday's open practice. (Wrestling photos provided by coach Chander)
Families and supporters watched the Wildcat wrestling team scrap in Bardo Gym ...
Fans enjoy Sunday's intrasquad scrimmage as the Wildcat men's basketball team plays a Blue & White Game on Sunday afternoon. (Photo by Matt Blymier)
... and Howard and Shaffer all gather for photos before heading to the Alumni & Friends Tent Party.
A grateful Shaffer acknowledges supporters – from coaches and teammates; to his parents, wife and children – for their role in his ultimate success as athlete and human being alike.
Blymier and Rutledge ...
... Ross and Slaughter ...
Far beyond her deserved acclaim, Ross says her objectives are to chart "a successful path that can inspire my children, and to apply the life lessons of athletics" to her nursing career.
Rutledge, displaying the humility that was remarked upon many times Saturday night, thanks her parents for supporting her "in soccer, in academics and in everything I've ever done."
Baseball coach Chris Howard talks about Shaffer, "as dedicated a player – and as humble – as any in the program. Maybe that's why it took so long to get you in here!"
The Thompson Professional Development Center audience watches highlights of each Hall of Fame inductee's Penn College athletic career. Attendees also heard about the Wildcat Club, membership of which has quickly grown to 320 members. Several higher-level donors were present: President Reed, and Elliott and Carolyn Strickland (Coach's Level); and Timothy and Tiffany Rissel, Timothy and Christine Weigle, and Tom and June Kilgus Zimmerman (Captain's Level).
President Reed lauds the Hall of Fame classmates for so proudly representing their college and their teams – and for setting the bar "that our coaches will refer to and future student/athletes will aspire to."
Kennell, a 2021 inductee, kicks off the Hall of Fame reception by noting the critical role of athletics in an academic environment ... and the newest inductees' exemplary work both in the classroom and in competition.
Matt Blymier, assistant director of athletics for compliance/athletic communication; (along with former soccer coach John McNichol, who appeared on video) introduces Rutledge, a heralded defender on the women's soccer team. "The most underappreciated position in all of sports," Blymier said, "a household name only if you make a mistake."
An attractive seasonal display welcomes weekend guests outside the Bush Campus Center.
Family-friendly activities abounded under ideal conditions, including cornhole – perhaps the most competitive (and certainly among the most carry-able) of lawn games.
The shadows grow long near a campus landmark on Saturday, but the weekend was only half over!
Hoodies sufficed in the soccer stands, as temperatures reached well into the 60s.
Softball teammates turn out to support their "brother sport." Front row (from left): Colleen Cole and Jaylynn Cochran; row two (from left): Maddie Hurst, Alyssa Rusnock and Johannan DeVore; and back row (from left): Mackenzie Houck and Kassidy Chase.
The weekend's visitors included many family members, including four-legged ones. (At an open-admission institution, dogs are as welcome as Wildcats!)
The "Dueling Pianos" of Tony T and Wildman Joe duked it out in Penn's Inn ...
... but their repertoire of classics could be heard throughout the Campus Center. Students and their families enjoyed the lively music, sang along and were treated to snacks.
"Ghost hunter" John Zaffis presents a slideshow full of paranormal stories and photos ...
... including items from his personal collection of haunted objects.
After Zaffis' presentation, there was a Q&A during which people asked about the paranormal, other researchers, and how realistic the "Conjuring" movies portray his aunt and uncle (Lorraine and Ed Warren).
Students join Zaffis for a ghost hunt that began in the auditorium of Klump Academic Center and ended in the basement of that oldest building on main campus (at the recommendation of several "voices" that came over the communication device).
The EMF reader lit up several times during the investigation, signaling a change in the electromagnetic field. One student had goosebumps!
Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter, who coached Ross during four seasons at Williamsport Area High School, said the record-setting 1,515 points during her Penn College career continued the perseverance and grit that she exhibited as a rising ninth grader.
Bookended by President Michael J. Reed (left) and Scott E. Kennell, director of athletics, this year's Hall of Fame inductees stand for a pre-reception photo on the campus mall. From left are Jordan A. (Courter) Rutledge, soccer; Mark C. Shaffer, baseball; and Alicia N. Ross, basketball.
The foursome of Hugh Covery, Jon Netter, Shawn Pester and Anthony Ricci basks in camaraderie. Pester won the "closest to the pin" prize, while Covery tallied the longest drive.
A team of welding faculty moves from the lab to the links. From left are Jacob B. Holland, Michael R. Allen, Michael C. Schelb and Steve J. Kopera ... who had a great time (and the distinction of a last-place finish).
Replicating nature's paintbox in his choice of apparel, building construction technology alumnus Zachary Mansfield makes a stylish statement.
Greg Johnson, John Lauchle (Jr. and Sr.) and Ben Souder pick up a photo frame and drop any inhibitions!
Ken W. Engel, the college's coordinator of digital publishing ... and, apparently, of fairway follow-through.
A hatless coach Robert J. Lytle lines up with Wildcat golfers, past and current.
Off the tee is Sean P. McNamara, who, along with teammates Alexander Acree, Kohltin Bartlow and Karson Felty (all former members of the Wildcat golf team) finished in second place.
Watching, waiting and sun-worshiping
The beauty of late-season golf and the woodlands surrounding White Deer ...
... and a Great Blue Heron that shares the course.
Deserving of a shoutout is Chris S. Macdonald, corporate relations officer, who organized start times, scored teams and sponsored a challenge hole during Saturday's tourney.
Saturday's top honors went to a quartet of Wildcat golfers from recent seasons past: Ned Baumbach, Evan Johnson, Tyler Marks and Ryen Persun.
Fallen leaves share sidewalk space with the mark of the 'cat, putting its best paw forward on this (and every other) day.
The Campus Center adopts an enticing hue for the weekend, lighting the way for visitors.
The setting sun illuminates the west side of campus ...
... as a letter-perfect day shifts into an equally splendid evening.
The CC patio is ablaze in eye-catching color.
Student Michael J. Sormilic gives rides around the Schneebeli Earth Science Center to parents visiting that campus' instructional labs. Sormilic, of Southbury, Conn., is pursuing degrees in electric power generation: diesel emphasis and building automation engineering technology. (Photo by Justin W. Beishline, assistant dean of diesel technology and natural resources)
Another trolley heads off-campus to give riders a glimpse of Millionaires Row and its place in the city's past. (Photo by Stephanie A. Golder, admissions counselor)