Autumn tradition kindles connection, pride

When it rains, bingo reigns! Families fill CC Commons. Another venue teeming with fun is the Field House: the site of the Alumni & Friends Party. The popular "Hike with Mike" marches on despite the drizzle. Led by the college president, the event took outdoors enthusiasts on the Bluebird Trail at the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority. Also spiriting on in the great outdoors: golfing at the Williamsport Country Club. Keeping the home(coming) fires burning: the Campus Center patio firepit warms the weekend. Persevering (per usual): the men's soccer team and head coach Tyler Mensch (at center). Shopping in the College Store are alumni Lauren and Andrew Bucher and their dog, Parker. Brendan H. Lowe enjoys bingo with his family. A freshman in aviation maintenance technology, he hails from Biglerville. Family fun outside, too! Axe-throwing stages an impressive view. Howard W. Troup, associate professor of automated manufacturing and machining, engages the Strolling Lab Tour guests in the Gene Haas Center for Innovative Manufacturing. A delicious way to explore labs on campus! In the Physician Assistant Center, the "strolling" guests are treated to freshly cooked fare by Chef Mike S. Dinan, executive chef of the college's Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, and Brian D. Walton (on right), assistant dean of business and hospitality. Entering into the Wildcat blue glow of the Alumni & Friends Field House Party Games galore! Guests enjoy beer samples served by alumni from the college's brewing & fermentation science major, like Taylor Strein (at right), brewer at Rosko's Brew House. Michael and Melissa Hersh take in the evening. She is a business management alumna, and he is an instructional development specialist in the college's Educational & Emerging Technologies office. Building blocks for connection Among the brewing alumni pouring out their crafts are (from left) Montana Bilbay, of Bald Birds Brewing Co., and Luke Palchak, with Our Town Brewery. A group photo of the "Hike with Mike" crew! The college president welcomes the intrepid trekkers on a slightly soggy Saturday morning. And, they're off! Into the woods they go ... ... smiling on their way. Three Baja SAE alumni go the extra mile on the Bluebird Trail, diving deep into the Remington Ruins, remnants of a once-glorious 20-room mansion. (Photo courtesy of Kimberly R. Cassel, college relations director) On Friday evening, Baja alumni enjoy a gathering at Kimball's Pub, a popular spot next to campus. (Photo courtesy of Lori A. Boos, alumni and career engagement manager) Derek E. Teay, '15, software development & information management, also returns to his alma mater and Kimball's. (Photo courtesy of Lori A. Boos, alumni and career engagement manager) President Reed (left) and Director of Athletics Scott Kennell bookend the newest inductees to the Athletics Hall of Fame class (from left): Taylor A. Krow, Ned W. Baumbach III and Courtney L. Gernert. Welcoming guests to the Hall of Fame ceremony in the Thompson Professional Development Center is Matt J. Blymier, assistant director of athletics/communications and compliance. Former golf coach Matt Haile introduces Baumbach ... ... and celebrates with the inductee who was awarded all-North Eastern Athletic Conference honors during his four years on the golf team from 2015-19. Baumbach's bling Former Wildcats volleyball coach Monica (Brown) Smith shares praise for Gernert ... ... and poses for a photo with the stellar player who finished her four seasons with more than 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. Table decor Introducing Klow is former softball coach Jackie Klahold. The duo mark the moment and Klow's record, including two NEAC first-team honors and a .379 career batting average. The trio is the 12th class to be inducted into Penn College's Athletics Hall of Fame. Calling bingo! That's Josiah P. Garrett, a graphic design student and campus leader. And, we have a winner! Billiards plays well with bingo. Tie-dye fun with orientation leader Chakai A. Stanton (on right) lending a hand. Alumni Brandon ('22) and Gabriella Weirman (‘21) join the bingo bunch. The first-ever Penn College Alumni & Friends Cornhole Tournament celebrated skill and teamwork. Throughout the tournament, the atmosphere was filled with friendly competition and community spirit. Each of the final three teams received prizes, including banners to remember their victory. In addition to tournament prizes, there was a raffle for additional prizes. Contestants had the chance to win an alumni swag box or the grand prize of Penn State Football tickets. Old friends reconnected, and new friendships were made over the cornhole boards. A Penn College dad gets his game on. Bill Tirpak, father of Brayden, a first-year student in heating, ventilation & air conditioning technology, joins the cornhole competition. The Tirpaks are from Alum Bank. Tools of the trade Nursing alumna Jenna R. Shank peruses the possibilities in attire at the College Store. Shank earned her associate degree in 2020 and her bachelor's in 2022. Wildcats golf team standout Peyton Mussina tees off on Hole 1 during the Northeast Elite Invitational, held at the Williamsport Country Club on Saturday and Sunday. Also at work on the green: freshman golfer Matthew Capoferri ... ... and sophomore Brett Keenan. Penn College's men's soccer team meets Rosemont College on the UPMC Athletic Field. Food-truck fare is served up during the soccer game ... ... along with congenial conversation between vendors and customers. Getting the bonfire started on the library lawn Accompanying the bonfire: a dessert showcase offered in Bookmarks Cafe on the first floor of The Madigan Library Cornhole by firelight and streetlight The bonfire illuminates the front of campus.