Community Articles

Following a SEDA-Council of Governments hearing yesterday in the Thompson Professional Development Center on the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, participants visited the college’s EV lab in the Parkes Automotive Technology Center. Automotive technology faculty members Christopher J. Holley and Charles F. Probst described the opportunities and challenges presented by EVs with the group.

Students in Penn College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter recently convened to prepare 144 plush monkey toys for children experiencing scary or difficult situations. The monkeys are provided by Aly’s Monkey Movement, a local nonprofit started by the then 10-year-old daughter of nursing student Kristy L. Creasy, who introduced the project to PTK members and provided instruction.

Students in Positive Psychology (PSY 410) engaged in a field trip to Rider Park recently to learn about "forest bathing," one of many concepts associated with increased happiness, well-being and physical wellness. The class also learned about the offerings of the 867-acre park which is only a 20-minute drive from Pennsylvania College of Technology's campus.

Pennsylvania College of Technology's emergency management & homeland security major and its outreach to assist people with disabilities and emergency responders in Lycoming County was featured in a report on WNEP-TV Wednesday evening.

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission held its Commissioner District Five Legislative Briefing on Pennsylvania College of Technology's campus Wednesday. Joining Timothy D. Schaeffer, executive director of the PFBC, was Penn College President Michael J. Reed; state Rep. Joe Hamm, R-84th; and state Rep. Michael A. Stender Jr., R-108th.

Pennsylvania College of Technology students who are set to compete at the International Builders Show this month were hosted recently by the West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association, which presented the students with a check for $3,500 to offset the cost of their competition and travel expenses. The students are members of the Penn College Construction Association. Each year, the association sends students to the show, where they compete in the National Association of Home Builders Student Competition.

Penn College physical therapist assistant students visited The Williamsport Home, where they provided two 30-minute activity sessions for residents in the home’s independent living apartments. Each year, students select a community organization or event they would like to work with as part of a yearlong service-learning project. This year, the Class of 2024 voted to provide exercise and wellness sessions to older adults in area long-term care facilities.

In the spotlight for the first time at the Community Arts Center was the Billtown Brawl, matching Pennsylvania College of Technology's wrestling team against Lycoming College. Touted as the first-of-its-kind event in central Pennsylvania, with NCAA-division wrestlers battling it out on a theater stage, the contest drew a crowd exceeding 350 to the downtown Williamsport venue.

For the fifth time, Susquehanna Community Bank has made an Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program donation to the Pennsylvania College of Technology Foundation to assist with dual enrollment at the college. The bank’s $1,000 EITC donation will benefit the Penn College Dual Enrollment program, which enables academically qualified high school and career and technology center students to take tuition-free courses for college credit.

A large crowd of art lovers turned out Tuesday night for a reception and artist's talk, celebrating The Gallery at Penn College's exhibit, "Found: The Sculpture of Randall Cleaver." The artist, a Penn State graduate and Maryland resident, received a warm welcome from campus and community members.