Powerful giving: Making dreams come true
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor, unless otherwise noted
During the annual Donor Recognition Reception, Colten C.B. Hajicek, an emergency management & homeland security and paramedic science student from Redmond, Washington, offers a powerful student perspective on the importance of giving.
Empowering tomorrow’s workforce through investing in Pennsylvania College of Technology students was the focus of the annual Donor Recognition Reception, held Monday evening in the lobby of the Davie Jane Gilmour Center. The event spotlights the powerful giving of alumni, corporate partners, employees, parents and friends.
“Your collective contributions create incredible opportunity and life-changing experiences for our students,” said Penn College President Michael J. Reed. “Your support is incredibly important and makes a transformative impact on many. We could not do what we do for our students without you.”
Providing a student’s perspective on the power of giving was Colten C.B. Hajicek, an emergency management & homeland security and paramedic science student from Redmond, Washington.
“Penn College was the one school I wanted to attend, and I have succeeded here in this environment more than I have before, due to the hands-on curriculum,” he shared.
Hajicek chose to travel over 2,600 miles from home for the academic and athletic offerings he found at Penn College. A member of the lacrosse team and vice president of the Penn College Emergency Management Club, he is also an emergency medical technician with Susquehanna Regional EMS and has served as a wildland firefighter in his home state. Hajicek told the audience that Penn College has given him the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and in preparing for his future.
Your contributions have made not only my dreams come true, but the dreams of every student who has come here.
Colten C.B. Hajicek
emergency management & homeland security and paramedic science student
He pointed to the expertise and enthusiasm of his college instructors – “people who are dedicated, knowledgeable, experienced, willing and wanting to teach the next generation their craft” – and to the “amazing connections and industry partners working with us.”
“Not long ago, we gained access to a computer program, thanks to the company D4H,” Hajicek shared. “The software allows for quick and easy management of resources during emergency operations. It is a market leader, and we were able to use the D4H program to help organize and plan Rotorfest, as well as work through our lost hiker simulation. It gives us collaborative ability to work together to create our forms and plans. Being able to learn from and use this program has helped students prepare for their future jobs.”
In closing, the student speaker said, “All of you here tonight have created tremendous opportunities for Penn College students. Your contributions have made not only my dreams come true, but the dreams of every student who has come here. … On behalf of the students here at Penn College, I thank you.”
Loni N. Kline, senior vice president for college relations, also expressed her “sincere gratitude for investing in our life-changing mission” and introduced this year’s honorees.
President Reed (on right) recognizes alumnus David Stanley and his wife, Jacqueline, who joined the Ambassadors Society and Pillar Society.
Those newly joining the Donor Wall or moving to a higher level are:
Millionaires Society ($1 million)
ABB Robotics
Fronius US LLC
Inductive Automation
Journey Bank – A Muncy Columbia Financial Company
Schaedler Yesco Distribution Inc.
Golden Society ($500,000 to $999,999)
Jeffrey L. Erdly
Davie Jane Gilmour
Visionary Society ($100,000 to $499,999)
AllOne Foundation & Charities
Bruderer Machinery Inc.
Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation
Dr. and Mrs. Arthur William Phillips Charitable Trust
Frederick T. Gilmour
Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc.
Groff Tractor & Equipment LLC
Pace-O-Matic
Phoenix Contact USA Inc.
Software Toolbox
TC Energy Foundation
TE Connectivity
Vanguard Charitable
Heritage Society ($50,000 to $99,999)
Atlantic Culinary Environments Inc.
Bracalente Manufacturing Group
Clark Associates Charitable Foundation
Coventry Foundation
Dyco Inc.
Fidelity Charitable
First Citizens Community Bank
Brian and Joanna Flynn
Geisinger
The Howley Foundation
Sherwood Freightliner
David L. Stiger
Woodcock Foundation for the Appreciation of the Arts Inc.
Ambassadors Society ($25,000 to $49,999)
Allison Transmission
B. Braun Medical Inc.
Canteen Vending Co.
Ciocca Automotive
Ciocca Toyota of Williamsport
David and Betsy Dodge
D4H
DesignBuilder Software Ltd
John and Janice Urick
Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies
Engel Machinery
Mary Ditty-Felix
Steven Josephs
Klein Tools Inc.
Leviton Manufacturing & The Leviton Foundation
Jennifer Martin '03, '05
Wayne and Tammy Sheppard
David & Jacqueline Stanley*
United Rentals
Kimberly & Thomas Venti
Viega North America
Volkswagen Group of America Inc.
Wood-Mizer LLC
*We also recognize their thoughtful estate intentions for Penn College as they join the Pillar Society this year.
Following the formal portion of the program, donors enjoyed food prepared by Penn College culinary students and professional staff from Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.
The evening gets underway with Kline welcoming the audience.
Alumnus and longtime benefactor Jeffrey L. Erdly is honored for his Golden Society giving level.
Reed thanks Jeff Arnold, senior executive vice president of finance and risk management, Journey Bank, for the institution's Millionaires Society commitment.
The student speaker is joined by his parents, Stephanie and Jeremy, who enjoy traveling from their home in Washington state to support their son's college career.
President Emeritus Davie Jane Gilmour (on right) converses with Justin W. Beishline, corporate relations officer. Gilmour is a new member of the Golden Society.
Ambassadors Society honorees John and Janice Urick pose with the president. They are also members of the Pillar Society.
Kline expresses her appreciation for the investments made in Penn College students.
AllOne Foundation & Charities representatives (from left): Paul Rooney, Mary Carroll Donahoe and John Cosgrove accept the foundation's Visionary Society recognition.
That Wildcat blue hue! Hajicek and Reed front the stunning Donor Wall. (Photo by Becky J. Shaner, senior manager of donor relations and special events)