Alumni Articles

Pennsylvania College of Technology has presented student achievement awards to its Fall 2023 graduates. A commencement ceremony was held Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Community Arts Center, Williamsport. Penn College is a special mission affiliate of Penn State.

Three students who graduated in Saturday's Fall Commencement exercises were recognized at an Excellence in Student Leadership and Service Awards Ceremony in the Community Arts Center's Capitol Lounge prior to their 11 a.m. procession. President Michael J. Reed paid tribute to the "small, but mighty group of absolutely extraordinary" honorees in his welcoming remarks, noting their selection for collegewide recognition from among 4,300 Penn College students.

With farming in their blood and their alma mater in their corner, an alumni couple – who met on campus in the Spring 2016 semester – is working hard to turn a Christmas tree operation into a year-round celebration of Pennsylvania agriculture. Penn College graduates Grace E. Scott-Wasson and Bryan M. Wasson started Wasscott Fields and Farm in Centre Hall several years ago, parlaying their background into a fledgling family business.

Twenty-eight participants from nearly a dozen career and technical education centers vied for glory in the diesel competition at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center, representing the readily attainable possibilities that await those pursuing an applied technology education. Berks Career & Technology Center (heavy equipment) won first place overall and received $5,000 in training funds courtesy of Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Inc.

Engaging emissaries from Pennsylvania College of Technology will again be part of the winter celebration of the commonwealth’s agriculture industry and those whose lives and livelihoods depend on it. Students and employees from the college will travel to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg from Jan. 6-13 for a variety of activities that reflect this year’s theme of “Connecting Our Communities.”

Soon-to-graduate Bachelor of Science in nursing students recently presented research that integrated their final three courses: Adult Health Nursing III, Leadership & Management in Nursing, and Research & Theory in Clinical Practice.

A funeral Mass will be Saturday for Richard J. Weilminster, the 1986 recipient of Pennsylvania College of Technology's Master Teacher Award, who died Monday, Dec. 4, at age 79. Weilminster, who retired as lead horticulture professor in 2006 after 34 years at Penn College and Williamsport Area Community College, held emeritus status among the institution's faculty.

Two sections of the Technical Drawing-Related Disciplines class, consisting of 23 students, recently toured High Steel Structures LLC in Williamsport. The company is one of the largest steel fabricators in North America.

More than 350 students have petitioned to graduate following the Fall 2023 semester at Pennsylvania College of Technology. The college will hold a commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Community Arts Center. The ceremony, which will be livestreamed, is open only to students who are registered to participate and ticketed guests. More than 240 students are expected to march in the proceedings.

Penn College's 2022-23 Impact Report is available online. The report, titled "Worth the Investment," features a video message from President Michael J. Reed and reviews a few of the myriad ways Penn College, through the efforts of employees, students, alumni and supporters, made its mark in the workforce and touched communities near and far.