Penn College News

Warm welcome on a chilly morning

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor

Free coffee and T-shirts stoke Penn College students' enthusiastic turnout at Wawa's Grand Opening early Thursday morning. (In the background on far left is Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter.)

Free coffee and T-shirts stirred Penn College students out of their cozy accommodations early Thursday morning to welcome the college’s new neighbor – Wawa.

The college’s Wildcat mascot was also on hand (and paw) for the Grand Opening of the convenience store and gas station, located directly across from Penn College’s main entrance on Maynard Street. (Sheetz borders a campus corner along the same street.) The celebration attracted eager interest and a long line of college and community members.

The arrival of Wawa is among a number of business and recreational developments occurring near the Penn College campus. Last month, college representatives attended a press conference hailing the 1.46-mile Susquehanna River Walk Extension that will run adjacent to campus and allow easier access to the river walk. A nearby multi-field youth baseball and softball complex is also under development.

Wildcat networks with Wawa's mascot, Wally Goose, as a long line of customers waits to get into the store.

The newly opened business is directly in line with the campus entrance along Maynard Street.

Penn College students and community members cheerfully wave Wildcat noisemakers.

Wildcat delights customers ...

... and lends a paw at the pumps.

Returning to campus with hot coffee and warm smiles