Penn College News

Enlightening senatorial tour leaves nothing 'up in the air'

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor

Pennycuick, who eagerly toured the Aviation Center, is joined there by (from left) Keen, Reed and Yaw.
Pennycuick, who eagerly toured the Aviation Center, is joined there by (from left) Keen, Reed and Yaw.

The chair of the state Senate Communications & Technology Committee was among those visiting on Wednesday, impressed by a variety of instructional areas alongside Penn College administrators, state Sen. Gene Yaw and legislative colleagues.

Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, a Republican whose 24th senatorial district comprises portions of Berks and Montgomery counties, was accompanied by state Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), the majority caucus secretary who toured the college as a first-term legislator in May 2019; Lisa Walter, Pennycuick's chief of staff; Chloe Mandara, legislative director for Phillips-Hill; Jared Vento, executive director for Sen. Jimmy Dillon (D-Philadelphia); and Matt Wise, Yaw's district director.

Greeted and guided by a well-versed campus contingent – President Michael J. Reed; Patrick Marty, chief government and international relations officer; Loni N. Kline, senior vice president for college relations; Erin Wachter, director of state relations for Penn State; and Yaw – the guests were demonstrably keen on how the institution prepares its tomorrow makers for essential roles in the workforce.

Spotlighting their respective areas during the visit were Chet Beaver, assistant director of student advocacy for veteran and military services; Steven Keen, assistant dean of transportation technologies; Shannon M. Munro, vice president for workforce development; and Bradley M. Webb, dean of engineering technologies.

Stops included the the Maj. Gen. Fred F. Marty Veterans & Military Resource Center; the Center for Career Design; and labs in plastics & polymers, dental hygiene, advanced manufacturing, welding & metal fabrication, and machining technologies.

After lunch at Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, some traveled east to the Lumley Aviation Center at the Williamsport Regional Airport in Montoursville – of particular interest to Pennycuick, whose Army career included service as a combat medic and helicopter pilot.

Beaver and Cadence J. Copson (second from left), a first-year pre-nursing student from Williamsport who is in the Army National Guard, welcome Sens. Phillips-Hill, Pennycuick and Yaw to the veterans center.
Beaver and Cadence J. Copson (second from left), a first-year pre-nursing student from Williamsport who is in the Army National Guard, welcome Sens. Phillips-Hill, Pennycuick and Yaw to the veterans center.
The group listens to warm reflections on the life of Patrick Marty's father, the highly decorated Army veteran in whose name the center was dedicated six years ago this month.
The group listens to warm reflections on the life of Patrick Marty's father, the highly decorated Army veteran in whose name the center was dedicated six years ago this month.
Copson is sincerely greeted by the legislators upon reporting for her work-study job there.
Copson is sincerely greeted by the legislators upon reporting for her work-study job there.
Kline details many of the services available to students in the Center for Career Design: business cards, a photo booth for head shots, the Career Gear Clothes Closet, space for mock interviews and assistance with navigating salary negotiations, among them.
Kline details many of the services available to students in the Center for Career Design: business cards, a photo booth for head shots, the Career Gear Clothes Closet, space for mock interviews and assistance with navigating salary negotiations, among them.
Phillips-Hill finds satisfaction that such a student need – professional attire for Career Fairs and job interviews – is so well-addressed at Penn College.
Phillips-Hill finds satisfaction that such a student need – professional attire for Career Fairs and job interviews – is so well-addressed at Penn College.
On a beautifully brisk Nov. 1, Kline leads the way down the campus mall.
On a beautifully brisk Nov. 1, Kline leads the way down the campus mall.
At home in any of School of Engineering Technologies' labs, Webb discusses the processes at play in the Shell Polymers Rotational Molding Center of Excellence.
At home in any of School of Engineering Technologies' labs, Webb discusses the processes at play in the Shell Polymers Rotational Molding Center of Excellence.
Munro discusses the Plastics Innovation & Resource Center's offerings to industry, including materials testing and workshops attracting national and international professionals.
Munro discusses the Plastics Innovation & Resource Center's offerings to industry, including materials testing and workshops attracting national and international professionals.
Pennycuick relishes her time in the hangar, where the instructional fleet of aircraft provides an apt environment for conversation with Yaw, Keen and Reed ...
Pennycuick relishes her time in the hangar, where the instructional fleet of aircraft provides an apt environment for conversation with Yaw, Keen and Reed ...
... as did the engines lab, another can't-it-last-a-little-longer stop on her aviation tour.
... as did the engines lab, another can't-it-last-a-little-longer stop on her aviation tour.

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