Big-hearted alum heartened by plane's flourishing transformation

An electrical technology alumnus, part of a multigenerational family of graduates from Pennsylvania College of Technology and both of its predecessor institutions, paid a visit Thursday to the Lumley Aviation Center – and the Cessna 175C that he and co-owner Chuck Michaelis gifted to Penn College a decade ago.

Gary J. Gable, president of Paul Gable & Sons Electric Inc., was reportedly "over the moon happy" that students and faculty are making such good instructional use of the donated plane.

He was also quite impressed with the meticulous repaint job that Kate M. Ruggiero and Grace M. Snyder completed before their graduation from the aviation program.

He also toured The Center for Career Design, stopped by The College Store, spoke to students of electrical instructor Eric W. Newcomer and attended a meeting of the Electrical Technology Advisory Committee. Gable, who earned a certificate in electrical technology from Williamsport Area Community College in 1974, joined that group the following year and has served continuously for the nearly 50 years since.