Wow a Three-Letter Word for a Red-Letter Year
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
president’s message wow A Three-Letter Word for a Red-Letter Year et another extraordinary year at Pennsylvania College of Technology calls for celebration. Twelve months of impressive achievement and realization of Penn College’s institutional goals and student- centered mission marks 2002-03 as a red-letter year. In fact, when I met with faculty and staff at year’s end and retraced the steps we took together, one Ysimple word – “Wow!” – was foremost on my lips. “Wow!” for the many student accomplishments that brought honor to our campuses. “Wow!” for dedicated employees who afforded us national and regional recognition. “Wow!” for the exciting news that emerged amid the day-to-day challenges of preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s demanding jobs. Characterizing a wonderful academic Our fitness can be measured by a number year with such a simple exclamation – a of characteristics: financial stability, sound three-letter word more suitable for the cover planning (short- and long-term), and an of a paperback best-seller – might seem to adaptable faculty and staff. trivialize those successes. There is no more The 2002-03 academic year, captured in fitting way to describe 2002-03, however, than this special Annual Report edition of One to enthusiastically call it “One for the Books.” College Avenue, will be remembered as one of • It was a year for the history books, for unprecedented growth, campus transformation instance, with construction of the Student and new beginnings. Actions taken during this and Administrative Services Center and Rose monumental period will position us for years Street Apartments, renovations to the former to come as a leader in technology education HON manufacturing facility and the Klump and, in particular, will position Penn College Academic Center, and the first-ever Middle to be the nation’s premier technical college. States commendation for our comprehensive In the pages that follow, we hit those and impressive self-study. and other highlights, “borrowing” literary • It was a year for the record books, as well, works to help share the good news. As with enrollments reaching amazing heights … you relive this amazing period in Penn while maintaining tuition at a more down-to- College history – a year that built upon the earth and student-responsive level. proud accomplishments of our predecessor • And it was a year for the books, period, institutions, while steering ever confidently with the exciting announcement of the toward the future – we hope you’ll agree that Madigan Library. 2002-03 clearly merits a rave review. What kind of book might Penn College write for that library’s shelves? An optimistic self-help volume or a health manual immediately comes to mind. More than ever, it is clear that our organization is strong. Davie Jane Gilmour, Ph.D. Construction of the Student and Administrative Services Center put a new face on Penn College’s long-standing commitment to student success. Fall 2003 1 COLLEGE REACCREDITED BY MIDDLE STATES olfe’s emphasis was on what it takes to be a fighter pilot or astronaut, but those same “ The idea here seemed to be (to) have the moxie, the reflexes, the W qualities were evident as Pennsylvania College experience, the coolness … in a cause that means something to thousands, of Technology sailed through a rigorous two-year to a people, a nation, to humanity …” Middle States Commission on Higher Education “THE RIGHT STUFF” - author Tom Wolfe self-examination and site visit. The commission’s official report was published shortly after the dawn of the 2002-03 year. For the first time in history, the College received a COMMENDATION for its self-study and a CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH until its next review in 2011-12. “The Right Stuff,” indeed. Among the most heartening of the team’s findings was validation of the College’s strongest suit: its student-centeredness. “THE COLLEGE HAS A CORE GROUP OF FULL-TIME FACULTY THAT IS NOT ONLY CARING, BUT ALSO FRIENDLY (AND) LOYAL TO PENN COLLEGE AND THE STUDENTS THEY SERVE,” THE REPORT AFFIRMS. “THE STUDENTS IN RETURN HAVE HIGH PRAISE FOR THE FACULTY, THE QUALITY OF THEIR TEACHING, AND THE SUPPORT THEY PROVIDE ON AN ONGOING BASIS. THERE IS A TRUE ’LOVE AFFAIR’ IN TERMS OF THE STUDENTS’ FEELINGS ABOUT PENN COLLEGE.” Not only were the College’s mission and goals overwhelmingly approved by the Middle States team: The commission went a few steps beyond, commending the College’s progress in the past decade and applauding the depth of the self-study document. “The self-study process affords us an excellent opportunity to take stock of our efforts and enhance our effectiveness,” said Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour, College president. “The results confirm our status as a leader in the field of technology education.” ENROLLMENT SOARS TO RECORD HEIGHTS t’s said that “knowledge is power,” and a glorious crowd of “ There is always one moment in childhood when the knowledge-seekers wisely included Penn College along its I door opens and lets the future in.” lifelong quest for learning in 2002-03. “THE POWER AND THE GLORY” - author Graham Greene IN A MEANINGFUL AND MEASURABLE MARK OF THE COLLEGE’S ATTRACTIVENESS TO STUDENTS SEEKING THE BEST IN JOB-PREPARATION EDUCATION, RECORD HIGH ENROLLMENT – AND THE LOWEST TUITION INCREASE IN PENNSYLVANIA – ALLOWED THE INSTITUTION TO MAINTAIN ITS STANDARD QUALITY IN A CLEARLY STUDENT-FOCUSED ENVIRONMENT. Nearly 6,000 students enrolled for Fall 2002 – more than 7.5 percent above the previous year. Substantial enrollment gains were seen in many program areas and were repeated for the Spring 2003 semester, providing a solid foundation for continued growth. The numbers evidenced a wider awareness of the value of a Penn College education and our success in placing graduates in high-quality positions. That good news was spread by recognition in two national publications: “THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE,” and “AMERICA’S BEST COLLEGES 2003” published by “U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT.” The Times’ full-page advertisement, “Great Places to Learn in Pennsylvania + Virginia,” touted “an area with its eye on the future, a magnet for thousands of students drawn to its more than 200 colleges and universities.” In describing the diverse range of schools available to prospective students in Pennsylvania, the feature refers to “larger, technologically innovative schools such as Carnegie Mellon University and Pennsylvania College of Technology.” The “U.S. News” publication ranked Penn College a full step higher among bachelor’s- degree-granting institutions than the previous year – one of only two public colleges listed in the second-tier rankings in its region. Fall 2003 1 FUNDING ASSURED, LIBRARY MOVES FULL-SPEED-AHEAD “ I hadn’t dared to hope that such happiness could ever come.” “BEYOND THE HORIZON” - playwright Eugene O’ Neill dream of many years came true with the Dec. 12 announcement that state funding was in place to begin construction of a new library. Making the occasion even more special was the naming of the A facility to honor an esteemed state legislator and Board of Directors member, Roger A. Madigan, and his late wife, Peggy. “The library is integral to the education mission of Penn College and it is Employees react central to the learning process for all students,” Dr. Gilmour said in announcing the exciting news to a standing-room-only meeting in the Professional Development Center. “The ability to seek information and gain knowledge will empower these men and women to continue learning throughout their lives.” THE ROGER AND PEGGY MADIGAN LIBRARY AND LEARNING RESOURCES CENTER WILL BE BUILT SOUTH OF THE MAIN-CAMPUS ENTRANCE BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES, BASED ON SPECIFICATIONS DRAFTED BY COLLEGE OFFICIALS AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS TO OTHER LIBRARIES, AS WELL AS RESEARCH AND A THOROUGH ASSESSMENT OF FUTURE LEARNING-RESOURCE NEEDS. Sen. Roger A. Madigan, Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour, A key member of the advance team was Lisette N. Ormsbee, director of the Penn College Library. After a Rep. Brett O. Feese national search with the laser-sharp focus on the new building, it became clear Ormsbee – who was serving as interim director – is the ideal person to lead the library staff into the future and into the new facility. SASC, CAL, ROSE STREET APARTMENTS AMPLIFY CAMPUS’ FUNCTIONAL BEAUTY ampus construction often challenges daily operations, but always leads to great “ I have been bent and broken, but – I hope improvement of services and instructional programming. C – into a better shape.” The magnificent STUDENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES CENTER, dedicated “GREAT EXPECTATIONS” Feb. 20, has become a welcoming first point of contact. Response to the - author Charles Dickens building has been extremely positive from both internal and external audiences, and its functionality has received considerable accolades. Families wishing to conduct business with the Admissions, Registrar’s, Financial Aid and Bursar’s offices find everything comfortably within reach . and in friendly, spacious surroundings. First-floor facilities offer attractive, yet practical areas for presentations to prospective students and placement testing for those who enroll. And artwork by local and Williamsport-area talent, financed through the continuing “Art on Campus” initiative, adds to the structure’s appeal. Design and construction of the COLLEGE AVENUE LABORATORIES (the former HON manufacturing facility) and the ROSE STREET APARTMENTS (new residence halls completed just in time for Fall 2003 occupancy) moved quickly through the year. Rose Street Apartments Both are a boon to a growing campus community: The former created state-of-the-art instructional space for additional students in Collision Repair, Automated Manufacturing, Civil Engineering and Surveying; the latter added 370 beds to the College’s critically needed housing pool. Other College housing facilities are the 414-bed College West Apartments, The Village at Penn College (320 beds) and Campus View Apartments (336 beds).