Penn College

Join 'tomorrow makers' at Penn College's Oct. 27 Open House

The Madigan Library, left, and Bush Campus Center near the main entrance of Pennsylvania College of Technology will be open for campus visitors along with cutting-edge labs and classrooms for more than 100 academic program areas during an Open House on Sunday, Oct. 27. Credit: Penn College / Penn StateCreative Commons

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Pennsylvania College of Technology’s rich history of turning today’s eager learners into the highly skilled workforce of tomorrow will be on ample display during an Oct. 27 Open House.

The college will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for prospective students and their families to delve into scores of bachelor’s, associate and certificate programs. Buses will conveniently traverse main campus throughout the day, and shuttles will regularly carry guests to and from the Schneebeli Earth Science and Lumley Aviation centers.

“Our students learn by doing, and our Open House is no different. Guests will get a taste of the student experience by exploring labs and participating in hands-on activities,” said Jen M. Cullin-Hetrick, coordinator of admissions events and communications. “Connecting with faculty, staff, students and alumni provides ample opportunity for prospective students to have their questions answered and to discover their path at Penn College.”

Open House guests will have wide-open access to the college’s varied curricular offerings, from programs with longstanding popularity to several new majors on the horizon.

Added to the ever-adaptive academic menu for fall 2020 are bachelor’s degrees in business administration: restaurant and hospitality operations, automation engineering technology: mechatronics, and automation engineering technology: robotics and automation; bachelor’s and associate degrees in human services and restorative justice; an associate degree in electrical construction; and a certificate in professional baking.

Participatory activities will allow visitors to build a 3D model of their dream home, witness a mock appendectomy, tour the “haunted physics lab,” and learn about automotive horsepower and torque during a dynamometer demonstration.

Impressive physical changes to campus also will be on display, including UPMC Field — a new synthetic-turf surface at the heart of the college’s enhanced athletics complex — and a vastly expanded welding laboratory to be dedicated next year.

Both of those additions were made possible through corporate partners and other generous donors, as was another attraction open for exploration: The Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College, which provides resources and training that allow students to create a wide variety of artistic and experiential projects. That facility will be home to hourly “What Can I Do in a Makerspace?” sessions during Open House.

At this special mission affiliate of Penn State, students learn in hands-on fashion from faculty with real-world experience, using industry-standard equipment and technologies; a 1:13 faculty-to-student ratio and small class sizes (averaging 17 students) ensure personal attention; and there is ample cross-disciplinary exposure.

General information sessions will provide a high-level overview of the college, and leaders from all six schools can answer questions specific to academic majors. There’s no better way to meet your dean than one-on-one at Open House!

Undecided? Potential students may choose from two- and four-year degrees in more than 100 exciting areas. The graduate-placement rate for 2018-19 was 97.3% overall, reaching 100% in some majors. Nearly nine out of 10 students receive financial aid from various sources, and more than 275 scholarships administered by the Penn College Foundation can lighten the load.

And because a career-making degree isn’t the only benefit of Penn College, visitors can stop by the Campus Life Involvement Fair to learn about student organizations, Career Services, part-time employment and many other ways to maximize the college experience.

Dining units and The College Store will be open, and information on military benefits will be available at the Maj. Gen. Fred F. Marty Veterans and Military Resource Center.

Helpful faculty, students and alumni — as well as staff from Admissions, Financial Aid, Residence Life, Dining Services and Student Engagement — will answer questions and direct Open House guests. Coaches and administrators from Wildcat Athletics, a full NCAA Division III member, also will provide personal attention.

Visit www.pct.edu/openhouse to register and build a unique itinerary for the day; the site features a conveniently categorized list of campus activities, travel directions, a campus map and lodging information.

Those unable to attend may schedule a campus tour or plan a visit during the Spring Open House on Saturday, March 28.

For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

Last Updated October 10, 2019