College isn’t just about labs and lessons, you have to live a little, right? Of course, Katherine, a physician assistant studies major is gonna tell us why she chose Penn College and what she does in her free time. By the sounds of it, Williamsport is a maker for outdoor enthusiasts. Take it away Katherine.
– Thanks for the intro Alex, hey everybody. When searching for a college, I was looking for small class sizes, a school with a history of academic success and a cross country team. Penn College was the perfect place with the Physician Assistant Program and ability to run collegiately. As a local, I already knew some of the great things the Williamsport area has to offer, which was exciting to share with friends who weren’t from around here. Penn College is near downtown Williamsport, which has unique local shops, restaurants, and fun things to do like the Hatchet House.
– [Man 1] Awesome!
– [Man 2] Nice.
– Not only do you get the taste of a small city feel here, but there are also so many outdoor activities. There are a multitude of close trails for hiking and biking and Creek to kayak and fish. The Susquehanna River walk is one of my favorite places where I can get out and enjoy the scenery. One of my favorite places on campus is the Madigan Library. It has an art gallery career center, a virtual reality studio and a cafe where you can grab coffee and snack and head outside to study on the lawn. A nice thing about Penn College is its close proximity to major east coast cities like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York City, BC, and the beaches in South Jersey which are my favorite. Aside from Penn College’s main campus, we also have an Aviation Center and Earth Science Center, both a short drive for main campus. These locations provide students with exceptional hands-on experiences in their majors. The atmosphere at Penn College is so welcoming, which is really fostered my academic success. Penn College has given me a well-rounded education through the opportunity to collaborate with others, practice necessary skills to become a PA and make lifelong friendships. Throwing it back to you Alex.
– Awesome, thank you Katherine. It sounds like there is something for everyone here in Williamsport. I can’t wait to hit downtown for dinner. You’ll have to let me know where that Hatchet House is. That’s something I could get into, cheers Katherine.
Meet Wes, he’s a senior in the engineering design technology program. He’s gonna tell us how he latched onto the maker culture here at Penn College and why immersive learning was a perfect fit for him.
– Thanks Alex, hi everyone. I’ve loved working with my hands and building race cars ever since I was a little kid. And when I heard about Penn College, I knew I had to come check it out. One of my favorite things about Penn College is a teaching style. On the very first day of classes, we began applying what we learn in the classroom to the lab. On average, we have three lab hours to one lecture hour. Penn College has some very generous corporate partners and donors that supply our students with amazing equipment to learn on. We also get to connect to our professors on a personal level. They have real word experience to help start from our paths to our dream career. We have an electrifying culture here, that is centered on making cool projects that I’m honored to be a part of. Dr. Welch’s workshop is a place I like to go, to work on both class and personal projects. I’ve used the machines in the makerspace to build my battlebots for our sword club. We build metal and plastic bots that we compete on campus with. This experience has really helped me bring my degree full circle by designing, building, and competing with my bot. Being a part of this community, allowed me to grow more ways than one. I’ve made many friends here, that share the same passion of working with their hands from cleaning teeth to fixing cars. Penn College is very hands-on school and that’s why I fell in love with it here. Well, that’s my story back to you Alex.
– Thank you Wes. I love how you surround yourself with others who get you and how you all enjoy putting your stamp on your personal creations like the battlebots. I’m sure putting those skills to work on a real life project brings your lab work full circle. May the best bot win, thanks again.
Okay, everyone let’s catch up with Caila. She’s a senior majoring in business administration. When she first came to Penn College, Caila wasn’t the most outgoing person. When you hear her story, I think you’ll agree she’s really found her groove here at Penn College, Caila it’s all yours.
– Hi everyone, and thanks Alex. When deciding where I wanted to start my college journey the most important thing that I held onto, was finding somewhere that I could feel welcomed and comfortable while also receiving hands-on experience. Penn College made me feel right at home the moment I came to visit, and I just knew I had to attend. I truly appreciate how the Penn College community has brought me outta my shell and allowed me to embrace who I’ve always wanted to be. When I first started at Penn College, I was nervous to get involved. Luckily I made the choice to reach out and join the Wildcat events board, the Student Run Programming Organization. From there, my involvement snowballed. I’ve had the opportunity to lead in several organizations and I have grown into a strong and outgoing leader and role model. I’m currently the Chair of WEB, a resident assistant and a lead connections link. I’ve also greatly enjoyed fun events on campus, such as Hot dog you’re here and Goat Yoga. But nothing has been more special than the opportunity to speak at the convocation ceremony. All in all, Penn College offers a wide variety of options for students to get involved, from all the student organizations to the leadership opportunities. And let’s not forget all the exciting events, constantly happening on campus. Penn College strives to provide a student-centered holistic collegiate experience for all students, whether you are on campus, off campus or a commuter student. Thanks to my experiences and involvement here at Penn College. I am thrilled to say that I’ve made the choice to change my career path to higher education. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have met many mentors here. And my only hope is that I can take on that same role with students in the near future. Well, that’s all for me Alex, I gotta head over and see the Goats, what’s next from you?
– Thanks for sharing your story Caila. Goat Yoga, that’s a new one. Your involvement across campus is truly inspiring. I can’t believe you’re doing all that, while earning two minors, it’s remarkable. And rumor has it you already have a job lined up and you haven’t even graduated. Unbelievable, kudos to you Caila. Choosing a college can be like finding a second home. It’s essential to plant yourself in a community where you can learn and grow.
Penn College offers quite a few specialized programs. But unlike other technical colleges, Wildcats get the full college experience here, that’s good news for students like Maggie. Who’s working towards her bachelors in HVAC Design Technology and playing third base on the woman’s softball team. You’re gonna love her energy, Maggie, please take it away.
– Thanks Alex and hi to everyone. As a kid, I love getting my hands into a project and creating my own work. When it came time for me to choose my next step in education, I knew that Penn College would be the perfect choice for me. With small class sizes and hands-on learning, I’ve been on the Dean’s list my entire college career with the bragging rights of being a 4.0 student. And on top of this, I’m also the starting third basement for the softball team here. This means I travel a lot. Luckily for me, my coaches and my professors are very understanding of my busy schedule. In the end, PCT helps me to succeed as a student athlete. By giving me a campus that is equipped with an amazing HVAC lab and a flexible athletic department, I’m able to take control of my future. Being a student athlete really gives me a sense of community here on campus. When I’m not in the library studying with my fellow classmates, I’m with my team slide riding, going to get a meal and making memories off of the softball field. Well, you don’t have to be a part of NCAA to feel a part of a community. Here at Penn College, we also offer various intermurals like ultimate frisbee, three B three basketball clubs, and many more. Being a Wildcat has really shown me, what it means to get the full college experience. Since being here, I’ve made connections in and outta the classroom that I will forever cherish. When you’re with your fellow classmates, studying for hours for one exam in library, or you’re on the softball field perfecting your game with your teammates, you tend to make bonds will last forever. My advice to you come to campus, get involved and stay wild with us. Go Wildcats, Alex take us back.
– Wow, thanks Maggie, you really can do it all here. It sounds like the relationships you’re building and experiences you’re having in your classes and on the field are a winning combination. Being part of a strong community is always a great foundation for success. Great work, Maggie take care.