Penn College Commencement: May 12, 2012 (Afternoon)

[ Music ]
>> Good afternoon.
I'm Paul Starkey, the Vice President for Academic Affairs
and Provost for Penn College and welcome
to this commencement ceremony.
The ceremony begins with the entrance of the candidates
for graduation from the schools of Business
and Computer Technologies, Hospitality
and Transportation Technology.
Please join me in welcoming the candidates for graduation.
[ Music ]
Ladies and gentlemen and candidates,
entering next are the Pennsylvania College
of Technology Faculty
and Administration led by the school deans.
The platform party will complete the processional.
[ Music ]
Please rise for the National Anthem.
Gentlemen, please remove your caps.
[ Singing ]
[ Applause ]
>> Please be seated.
[ Pause ]
Seated in the auditorium today are family and friends who have
in many different ways supported these candidates
to reach the goal represented by the ceremony.
And on the platform are the college faculty and staff
who have motivated, encouraged and inspired these students
as they completed their course work
and their college experience.
And of course before us are the candidates for graduation
who had become good friends, mentors,
colleagues developing relationships
that will serve them well as they move
into the future together.
We join them as members of an extended support network
to celebrate our involvement with these candidates
and to witness their accomplishment.
That celebration now begins.
Presiding over the May commencement ceremony is the
President of the Pennsylvania College
of Technology Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour.
[ Applause ]
>> Good afternoon.
Oh, you need to do better than that.
Come on guys we've been at this all day.
Good afternoon.
>> Good afternoon.
>> Thank you.
Welcome to the beautiful Community Arts Center
and to this Commencement Ceremony honoring the class
of 2012.
Today you become part of a proud Penn College legacy.
But today is a milestone.
It's a milestone for all of you but it's a milestone
for someone else with us today.
Jim Temple carried the mace in today.
He's a retired Professor of Electrical technology
and a variety of other electrical programs
at the college and this is his final commencement ceremony
carrying that mace.
Unless of course we get him back as a substitute but I wanted
to take a moment and thank him for his commitment
to the institution and his commitment to the students.
He is here today because you his students are graduating
for the final time.
So I want thank him.
[ Applause ]
The mace is kind of heavy.
But the big trick with the mace is his exit.
If you pay very close attention it occasionally does not want
to come out of the stand.
So let's see how it does on this final exit.
For nearly 100 years this institution has provided a
foundation for success for men and women who wish
to thrive in a changing world.
Many challenges have faced you graduates
over the years there been times of war, times of peace,
times of economic growth and that is often been inspired
by emerging technologies in our economic in also times
of economic recession.
At all times, it is Penn College's mission
that has been able to prepare its graduates
to enter the work force capably and confidently
to earn advancement into positions
that will truly influence the future.
As we celebrate your commencement today we look
forward to the contributions you will make
to the day-- in the days to come.
This is truly a ceremony that honors the past,
the present and the future.
We appreciate all the effort that you will put forth in order
to reach this milestone.
I ask you to take time today
to gratefully acknowledge the support you have received
from your family, your friends, your faculty
and your staff mentors.
This day is important.
It's important to all of us
because you are important to all of us.
So seat back relax and enjoy this is a very special day.
It's one that you and your loved ones will remember forever.
[ Applause ]
>> I like to now introduce Mr. Elliot Strickland Chief Student
Affairs Officer.
>> President Gilmour, Chairman Dunham, Provost Starkey,
distinguished faculty and staff, family, friends
and most importantly the May 2012 graduating class.
It is my pleasure this afternoon
to introduce your student commencement speaker.
Clint Hinton is a remarkable young man.
Prior to Penn College, Clint serves 6 years
in the Air Force including two tours of duty in Iraq.
He began pursuing his academic career taking classes
in both Lock Haven University
and the Community College of the Air Force.
Clint enrolled at Penn College in the fall
of 2008 pursuing a Bachelors Degree
in Aviation Maintenance Technology.
To say that Clint was successful academically is understatement.
Clint became a federally certified in Air frame
and Power plant in aviation
and last night he was awarded the Aviation Technology
Faculty Award.
In his 4 years at Penn College, Clint earned the perfect 4.0 GPA
and today graduates summa cum laude.
But don't think that Clint only focuses on his academics,
during his entire time at Penn College,
Clint has also been a member of the Wildcat Archery Team,
and in 2010 he was a member of the Mens Compound Team
that won the national championship --
quite accomplishment against the likes of Texas A&M,
James Madison and Penn State.
Please welcome your 2012 student commencement speaker
Clint Hinton.
[ Applause ]
>> Welcome, faculty, friends and family but especially welcome
to my fellow graduates for our 2012 graduation.
Each one of us has excelled in our academics
and that's why we are able to be here today
and this is our celebration pretty much.
First off I would like to say what an honor it is to be able
to speak for you guys.
I would also like to say some thank yous to some individuals
who made this experience today and pretty much everyday here
for the past 4 years possible.
The Penn College Faculty for the great education you've given all
of us, the faculty and staff at the Lumley Aviation Center,
you've given me a great amount of support and guidance
through my last 4 years.
This support and guidance will not be soon forgotten.
I would especially like to thank Mr. Walter Gower.
Wally you've been my adviser for the--
my whole time here at Penn College.
Thank you for taking the extra time with me
from when I first stepped in and going
through all my military training records and seeing
if I could get any credits for any of them, sadly that failed
and also for the help with getting me around my little bit
of a math debacle from when I first came in.
During this whole experience you've grown for more
than just an adviser to me but to someone
that I can really appreciate and call a friend.
Thank you very much.
I would like to thank the Athletic Department
for having archery as varsity sport at the school,
but not only the athletic department
but also my archery team, coaches and athletes.
You made me realize a passionate--
a passion I have for this sport
and I will be forever grateful for this.
The time, energy and support you have put into me, as well as,
the lasting friendships we all made has great deal of--
a great deal to me.
I would like to say thank you to my family for their support
and understanding for this past 4 years.
Thanks, Dad.
You once called a dreamer, Dad, and I'm happy to say that I am.
And being able to actually,
you can see one my dreams come true today at this moment.
Lastly, I would like to thank my amazing wife, Tiffany.
Tiffany told me something before I left the house
for the first time to come to school up here at Penn College,
hopefully, I can get this right.
She told me, "Don't think about coming
if you don't come with an A."
[Laughter] I was pretty sure she was joking
but I was a little bit scared to test that theory.
[Laughter]
Tiff, thank you for setting this stone in my life you have one
of the hardest work ethics that I have ever known,
and without you, I know I wouldn't be
up here speaking let alone just have the ability
to be a college graduate.
And thank you for rising me into this level.
And thank you for the love and dedication that you've shown me
for the past-- well, it's been forever, 11 years, I think.
I am what most colleges call a nontraditional student.
While in high school, I took my SATs
like everyone else sitting here and waited for the day to get
that little envelop in the mail or maybe it's from computers
because I'm a little bit older, to see what my scores were.
Well, that day came and man, was it a sad, sad day.
Those scores were pretty pitiful so I thought right then
and there that I was not made out to be a college student.
So I thought, "Well, if I can't go to college I might
as well throw my hat in the ring for the military."
So I join the air force for 6 years,
serving two tours and Iraq.
Like a Mr. Strickland said, one in 2004 and one in 2006.
While in there I was hoping to be able to get a skill
that I might be able pursue if I decided to get out
and maybe to grow up a little.
I don't know if the grow up part actually work.
Well in 2007 my time was up.
So I decided, well, it's time to see if I can do the impossible,
let me see if I can go to school.
So I ended up coming home.
I applied for my local university in Lock Haven
in Lock Haven University.
I got accepted.
I excelled in the classes
but I really never really felt like I belong there.
Well, as luck would have it, I work with one
of our Penn College Alumnis and we started talking
about the school and thank God we did.
One of the biggest skills that I learned while in the military is
that you have to fight for what you want.
No one is just going to be able hand over the things
that you want in your life.
You can only achieve those things with hard work,
dedication and a few other skills
that I think Penn College helps us get too.
It is very apparent that I am not the only one who feels--
who feels this and has learned this
through out our 4 years 'cause every one of us is sitting
in this room being able to graduate.
As years went by here at Penn College, I know each one
of us is probably had at least one,
mine quite a few more situation where you don't want
to be sitting there in class when it's a nice day
out writing the paper or studying.
Well, the evidence is here that all
of us can get push back side 'cause we're going to graduate.
We had showed everyone that we have the drive and dedication
to do what it needs to get done.
We are hard working motivated, determined and team players.
I urge you to keep these skills and refine them
through out your life.
Believe in yourself and your abilities, push yourself
like you did here in college as you enter--
as you enter the work force and show our employers
that Penn College students are great investment
to their companies.
So in closing I would just like to say good luck
with all your endeavors after college
and congratulations we're graduating.
Thank you.
[ Applause ]
>> Teaching is what makes Penn College thrive
and we place high value on the teaching and learning process.
Each year we recognize those members of our faculty
who have demonstrated the qualities of excellent
and dedication necessary to make our students successful.
The distinguished teaching award are presented
at May commencement each year to full time faculty members
who have been nominated by students and colleagues
for their excellence in instructional performance
since 1982, 89 distinguished teaching awards have
been presented.
I am pleased to announce that on Friday afternoon's commencement
ceremony an excellence in teaching award was presented
to Katherine Walker Assistant Professor in Drafting
and Computer aid and Design.
Today we will be recognizing a member of the faculty
who has been with Penn College since August of 1999.
The following are some of the comments made
by the recipient's student nominators.
Always willing to listen to students, it bring a wealth
of knowledge from former positions
and teaching experience, ensures that his lesson are planned well
and focused on what we need to learn, uses personal experiences
and guest professionals to speak
with classes about specific jobs.
Never is negative in the treatment of students or staff.
Our recipient today holds a Bachelor of Science Degree
from York College of Pennsylvania
and a Masters Degree in Administration
from University of Pittsburgh.
He's been responsible for developing his program
from scratch resulting in full accreditation
of both the associate and baccalaureate levels.
He is recognized by his peers as evidence by his recent selection
as president elect of his professional organization.
He's quite an assuming manner
but lies his passion for student learning.
It is my pleasure to present the 2012 distinguished teaching
award to Mr. Dan Christopher.
[ Applause ]
[Pause]
>> It's a little unnerving to be here right now.
You would think that I would have something really great
to say and the reason for that is every year
when I take my place for graduation
and President Gilmour starts to talk
about the distinguished teaching awards, I always sit
and think what would I say if that was me?
Well, this year when she started to talk about places
where people graduated from and the year that someone started
and I realized it was me,
all over those thoughts instantly flew out of my head
and I have nothing much to say.
[Laughter] Anyway, I will say a few things in appreciation
for this award and I will begin that by two words
that I've learned as an instructor
that always get my students' attention
and they are "in conclusion."
[Laughter] They always perk up right then.
He must be about done.
In conclusion I would like to thank President Gilmour,
the Administration of the College and the Board
for creating such a great facility for us to teach in.
I would like to thank them also
for creating a great positive culture
which makes it a pleasure to come to work everyday.
I'd like to thank my Dean, Ed Henninger and my colleagues
in the School of Business and Computer Technology and others
around the campus for their support and friendship and I--
I would like to thank my students,
my health information grad especially
who put up with me everyday.
Who laugh at my dumb jokes.
I had to tell them one final joke while we wait in line
to come in today and as a punch line of that joke goes
"I've go my eye on you."
And I also like to thank my family, my wife,
Trisha and my kids for their love and support that gives me
that foundation that I need everyday
to keep going whether it's a good day of bad day,
and I have to say that this day
with this award counts among my best days.
Thank you.
[ Applause ]
[ Silence ]
>> Ladies and gentlemen as many of you know,
the legal corporate body of the Pennsylvania College
of Technology is its Board of Directors.
This is the body that by our charter has given final
responsibility for the governance, welfare
and all other interest pertaining to the college.
Though some responsibilities are delegated,
ultimate authority rest with the board.
At this time, I'd like to call upon Dr. Robert Dunham,
Chair of the Board of Directors to authorize the conferring
of degrees at this ceremony.
Dr. Dunham?
>> Thank you.
President Gilmour, members of the faculty, friends and family
and of course the graduating class of 2012.
I know how you must feel on this very important day.
You should feel very good.
The degrees about to be awarded have come from your hard work
and dedication, and from the guidance and wisdom
of the faculty and from the very strong support
of your families and friends.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
I want to congratulate to you
and offer you our best feelings for the future.
And of those faculty and friends and family,
thank you for your support of these fine graduates.
And now that my official duty, Dr. Gilmour,
by virtue of the authority vested in the Board of Directors
of the Pennsylvania College of Technology, I authorize you
on behalf of the Board to confer upon these candidates the
degrees earned as testified by the Deans
of their respective areas.
[ Silence ]
>> Will the candidates for the Bachelor
of the Science Degree please rise.
[ Pause ]
Dr. Gilmour upon recommendation of the Faculty I am pleased
to inform you that these men
and women have satisfactorily completed the requirements
for the Bachelors of Science Degree.
>> By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Board
of Directors of the Pennsylvania College of Technology,
I do hereby confer upon you the Bachelors of Science Degrees
that you have earned with all of the rights and privileges
and with congratulations from the Board of Directors,
the Administration and the Faculty.
Congratulations.
[ Applause ]
>> You may be seated.
Well, the candidates for all Associate Degrees
and certificates please rise.
>> The Baccalaureate Students can sit down, that's good.
We'll work on this.
That's good, thank you.
>> Dr. Gilmour, upon recommendation of the Faculty,
I'm pleased to inform you that these men
and women have satisfactorily completed the requirements
for their respective Associate Degrees and certificates.
>> By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Board
of Directors of the Pennsylvania College of Technology,
I do hereby confer upon you the Associate Degrees
and Certificates that you have earned with all of the right
and privileges and with congratulations from the Board
of Directors, the Faculty and the Staff.
Congratulations.
[ Applause ]
>> And now if you would remain standing
and with the Baccalaureate Graduates please stand up.
And those of you standing that's good right there, that's good.
Ladies and gentlemen, you entered the theater
as candidates today and a few minutes ago you had conferred
upon you the certificates and degrees that you have earned.
As a symbol of your entry into the world of educated men
and women, I asked you to join me as I turn the tassel
of graduation class representative,
this will symbolize to the world that you are now
in fact a graduate
of the Pennsylvania College of Technology.
[Applause]
You may be seated.
As in-- are they going to come back?
Good. Okay, they are.
Good.
[ Pause ]
[Inaudible] well, and then you frame it back.
[ Pause ]
That was great practice.
[Laughter]
[ Pause ]
The really good news is that they've got the rows lined right
and there's a seat for everyone.
As individuals and institutions we pass through clear stages
of development points in time when we grow in new road--
roles and new responsibilities.
This ceremony is a transition event for all of our graduates.
Today, we are honored to recognize academic achievement.
Outstanding achievement will be recognized for all students.
The gold, silver and white cords
that they wear during the ceremonies, white for honors,
silver for high honors and gold
for highest honors can identify these students.
In addition, we are very proud to recognize the graduates
from Phi Theta Kappa and their gold stoles
and tassels will identify them.
Equally proud, we recognize the graduates
from Alpha Chi Honor Society
in white stoles will identify those students.
We will also recognize our veterans today
and they will be wearing a red, white and blue cord.
I would now ask all students who are graduating
if you are active duty military or you are reservist
or you have served in the military would you please stand.
[ Applause ]
All right, you may stay standing,
you could stay standing, and I'd like to tell you a little bit
about our veterans at Penn College.
Three of them have earned a Purple Heart,
four of them have earned a Bronze Star,
70 of our veteran students have earned Iraq Campaign Medals
and 17 have earned Afghanistan Campaign Medals
and Garrett Patterson will be commissioned this evening
as Second Lieutenant in the US Army, congratulations.
[ Applause ]
Now you may be seated.
At this time, Carolyn Strickland,
the Assisted Vice President of Academic Services
and the respective school representatives will present the
graduates, Dr. Dunham will assist
in presenting the diplomas, thank you.
[ Applause ]
[ Silence ]
>> President Gilmour, I'm honored to present the graduates
of Accounting with Associate Degree and Accounting
with the Bachelors Degrees within the School Business
and Computer Technologies.
Bradley A Dressler, Jr. [Applause] Alyson Marie Fields.
[Cheers] Andrew Jared Paulhamus.
[Cheers] Tera Lee Rowe.
[Cheers]
>> President Gilmour, I'm honored to present graduates
in the programs of Information Technology including those
in the networking, security, software development
and technical support from the School Business
in Computer Technology.
>> Brandon A. Boust.
[Applause] James Carlton Fink.
[Applause] Eric Lee Reiner.
[Applause] Pramod Kumar Gadam.
[Applause] Mark Lane Rowar [phonetic].
[Applause] Jeffrey M. Seebold.
[Applause] Kevin M. Steele.
[applause] Ryan Matthew Sokol.
[Applause] Shay Michael Stadts.
[Applause] Abraham Isaac Cabanilla.
[Applause]
Julio Cesar Espinosa Jr. [Applause] Kevin Wescoe Faust
[Applause] Jeremy Michael Klinger.
[Applause] Eric Thomas Olsen.
[Applause] Shawn M. Shaner.
[Applause]
>> Margaretta Maye Starr.
[Applause]
>> Sean Michael Timm.
[Applause] Benjamin Robert Warfield.
[Applause] Nicholas Andrew Cafarchio.
[Applause] Dane Stephen Forsman [phonetic].
[Applause] Matthew T. Hazzard.
[Applause] Charles Wesley Marr.
[Applause] Gregory Thomas Poler.
[Applause] Jonathan Tineo.
[Applause]
>> President Gilmour, I present the graduates
of the Paralegal Programs within the School of Business
and Computer Technologies.
>> Christopher Michael Good.
[Applause] Brian L. Hoffman.
[Applause] David P. Samar.
[Applause] Eileen B. McKinney.
[Applause] Elizabeth Marie Seagraves.
[Applause]
>> President Gilmour, I'm proud to present the graduates
of Business Administration with concentrations in Banking
and Finance, Human Resource Management, Management,
Marketing, Small Business and Entrepreneurship
and also graduates of Office Information Technology
with emphasis in Medical Office Information
and Technology management and business management,
all within a school of Business Computer Technologies.
>> Tiffany Lynn Elder.
[Applause] Abigail Marie Ferguson.
[Cheers] John Andrew Frey III.
Kirsten L. Reddens [phonetic].
[Applause] Tanya N. Cunningham.
[applause]
Sarah L. Saboski.
[Applause] Jenna Christine Barnes.
[Applause] Brian Michael Gottschall.
[Applause] Chelsea A. Allen.
[Cheers] Matthew G. Duitch.
[Applause] Christie Lynn Fischer.
[Applause] Brianna Ray Gerry [phonetic].
[Applause] Christine Elizabeth Hershberger.
[Cheers]
Jared Scott Johnson.
[applause] Matthew Christopher Risell.
[Applause] Eric John Spangler.
[Applause] Amber K. Bingaman.
[Cheers] Amanda Lynn Branstetter.
[Applause] Scott D. Rinker.
[Cheers] L D M. Ward.
[Applause] Nathaniel Joseph Rank.
[Applause] Pamela Ann Mix.
[Applause]
>> Congratulations Pam.
>> Thank you.
>> Kevin Eugene Brookhart.
[Cheers] [Applause] Derek Edward Brown.
[Applause] Carlos Antonio Fernandez.
[Applause] Daniel D. Feula.
[Applause] Kelvin S. Goode.
[Cheers] [Applause] Toni-Lynn Hill.
[Applause] Kyle Chronicle [phonetic].
[Cheers] [Applause] Chelsea A. Igo.
[Applause] Andrew J. Jaconetta [Applause] Ross Allen Judy.
[Applause]
Shane Paul Knauber [Cheers] [Applause]
>> Joseph Edward Maley.
[Applause] Neal Palmer.
[Cheers] [Applause] Brett Robert Potteiger.
[Cheers]
>> Hell, yeah, Brett.
>> Christopher Allen Ream.
[Applause] Congratulations.
Blair Elise Smith.
[Applause] Justin M. Weaver.
[Applause] Chad Ryan Burman.
[Applause] Gary Michael Davis.
[Cheers] [Applause] John Patrick McCormick.
[Applause]
>> President Gilmour, I present the Graduates
of Health Information Coding Specialist,
Health Information Technology
and Health Information Management within the School
of Business and Computer Technologies.
>> Lynette A. Baker.
[Cheers] [Applause] Sally E. Barbera.
[Cheers] [Applause]
>> I love you.
[ Pause ]
Kalina Rachel Bowersox.
[Cheers] [Applause] Allison M. Held.
[Applause] Alaina Kini [phonetic].
[Applause] Kristine A. King.
[Applause] Kelly A. Krause.
>> Go Kelly.
[Applause]
>> Kelley Nicole O'Keefe.
[Cheers] Christiana Marie Snyder [Applause] Thomas
Nicholas Williams.
[ Applause ]
[ Noise ]
[ Inaudible Remark ]
Melinda L. Delker [Applause] Bobbie J. O'Connor.
[Applause]
>> President Gilmour, it's my pleasure
to present the graduates of Culinary Arts and Systems,
Culinary Art Technology, Baking and Pastries Arts,
Hospitality Management all
within the School of Hospitality.
>> Patricia Ann Bennett.
[Applause] Kacy Lynn Charlesworth.
[Applause] Heather Nichole Ferguson.
[Applause] Stephanie Anne Grossi [Applause] Samantha R. Gstalder.
[Applause] Samantha M. Heller.
[Applause] Alisha Mae Howell [Applause] Spencer
Michael Johnson.
[Applause]
Kristina Michelle Kopitsky [Applause] [Cheers]
>> Megan Rose Larkin.
[Applause] Nina M. Liguori.
[Applause] Kelsey Noel Moyer.
[Applause] Rebecca Rose Rudy.
[Applause] Hailey Morgan Schumann [phonetic].
[Cheers] [Applause] Ashley Nicole Styburst [phonetic].
[Cheers] [Applause] Sabrina Renee Stressner.
[Cheers] [Applause]
Taylor Lee Donahay.
[Applause] Jordan Tyler Homet.
[Applause] Jessica L. Ireland.
[Applause] Mark Richard Risinger.
[Applause] Molly Elizabeth Dietrich.
[Applause] Carly Nicole Kambic [Applause] Ponnie M. Marcus
[Cheers] Stephanie Sinclair [Applause] Brian S. Whitner.
[Applause]
Skylar Kathryn Burke [Applause] Katelyn Rae Ciavardini
[Applause] Stephanie Marie Davis.
[Applause] Rachel Michelle Emmons [Applause] Cody
J. Miller.
[Applause] Kevin W. Pysher.
[Cheers] [Applause] Angela Joy Snyder.
[applause] Aimee Michelle Stout.
[Applause]
>> President Gilmour, I present the graduates
of Automotive Service Sales Marketing,
Automotive Service Technicians, Automotive Technology,
Automotive Technology Ford Asset,
Automotive Technology Management,
Automotive Technology Honda Packed
and Automotive Technology Distance within the School
of Transportation Technology.
>> Jacob A. Brown.
[Cheers] Sean C. Doyle.
[Cheers] [Applause] Brian M. Kowalski.
[Applause] Brandon M. Kramer.
[Applause] Mark Philip Lyndonmott [phonetic].
[Cheers] [Applause] Benjamin David Solt.
[Cheers] [Applause] Alexander J. Aller.
[Applause]
Ethan Patrick Griffin.
[Applause] Ross A. Maasa Jr. [Applause] Marco G.
Peralta [phonetic].
[Applause] Elliot Frederick Ritner.
[Applause] Erel L. Burnett [phonetic].
[Cheers] [Applause] Andrew R. Hatch.
[Applause] Michael Joseph Hornick.
[Applause] Tyler Andrew Crow.
[Applause] Robert Marchese.
[Applause] Matthew Shawn McGraw.
[Applause]
Nathan D. Moorman.
[Applause] Brian Michael Moran [phonetic].
[Cheers] Evan J. Odiorne.
[Cheers] Kyle Francis Rang.
[Applause] Michael C. Smith,
Jr. [Cheers] Vincent Michael Steinbacher.
[Applause] Louis Anthony Day [Applause] Tristan M. Brown.
[Applause]
Walter E. Cox, III.
[Applause] Shawn Joseph Connelly.
[Cheers] Jacob Curtis.
[Applause] William James DeAngelo.
[Applause] David John Guillemette.
[Cheers] Daniel Joseph Hurrey.
[Cheers] Ryan Matthew Johnson.
[Applause] [Cheers] Bradley P. Miller.
[Laughter]
>> Philip Jung Huwei.
[Cheers] [Applause] Justine Rowe.
[Cheers] [Applause] Brian A. Rudolph [Applause]
>> Morris Sayon.
[Cheers] [Applause]
Ryan Scott Schauder.
[Applause] [Inaudible Remark]
>> Silvers.
>> Yes.
>> Brendan Silvers.
[Cheers] Thomas Guy Sylvester III.
[Cheers] [Applause] Christopher W. Sysock.
[Cheers] [Applause]
>> Harsha R Yarram.
>> Harsha?
>> R. Yarram.
>> Harsha R. Yarram.
[Applause] Jacob P. Goodrich.
[Cheers]
>> President Gilmour, I present the graduates
of Aviation Maintenance Technology and Bachelor
or Aviation Technology within the School
of Transportation Technology.
>> Ryan L. Burkholder [Cheers] [Applause] Zachary E. Earp.
[Cheers] [Applause] Daniel J. Fredrick.
[Applause] Jack W. Hallmark.
[Applause]
Christopher S. Morrison.
[Applause] Matthew Aaron Okkelberg.
[Cheers] [Applause] Brandon S. Allison.
[Cheers] [Applause] James Daniel Grube.
[Cheers] Terrence Arthur Heim.
[Applause] Eric W. Isherwood.
[Applause] Stephen Charles Crone.
[Cheers] [Applause] Jonathan Lopez.
[Cheers] Brandon H. Mull.
[Cheers] [Applause] Kevin Charles Pannebakker.
[Cheers] [Applause]
>> Congratulations.
>> Thank you.
>> Garrett P. Patterson.
[Cheers]
[ Applause ]
Douglas Richard Phillips.
[Applause] Zachary A. Smith.
[Cheers] [Applause] Michael Ryan Thompson.
[Cheers] [Applause]
>> President Gilmour, I present to you the graduate
of Collision Repair Technology, Collision Repair Technician
within the School of Transportation Technology.
>> Brock J. Ashman.
[Applause] Owen Ronald Boyle.
[Cheers] [Applause] John H. Brungard.
[Applause] Cory J. Chilson.
[Cheers]
>> Yeah, you rock, honey.
[Applause]
>> Aaron C. Dressler.
[Cheers] [Applause] Michael Patrick Garrity.
[Cheers]
>> Smerekar.
>> Smirker?
>> Smerekar.
>> Benjamin P. Smerekar [Applause] Chad J. Zepp.
[Applause] Kevin Austin Maloney.
[Applause]
>> We have one more diploma to present today.
We'll, I can't let the day go without telling you
that this will be Dr. Dunham's last commencement.
He's been Chairman of our Board for 15 years and served
on our Board for 20 years and has decided to retire
from the Board of Directors as of this June.
So, we did a little homework.
This is his 40th Penn College Commencement
which should make us all take a side deep breath,
and Clint will be the 9,922nd student
to get a diploma from Dr. Dunham.
So, with that we say thank you.
[ Applause ]
Clint Hinton.
[Cheers]
[ Applause ]
[ Silence ]
[ Laughter ]
[ Silence ]
We tried really hard to get to 10,000 by today
but our math is right, I can guarantee you.
Your connection to Penn College doesn't end today.
As graduates you're now members
of the Penn College Alumni Association
and the Association is the main link between link you
and Penn College and you and I both know
that the way you'll keep connected is Facebook.
[Laughter] We really look forward to welcome you back
to campus, hoping that you'll come and share the information
about your successes and your accomplishments, come back
and visit student, senior respective programs
and tell us about your success.
Earlier today and yesterday we gave Alumni Achievement Awards
when I have absolutely no doubt sitting in the crowd today,
our future alumni achievement award winners.
It's the time that I look forward to the most
in the program until it gets here
and then I know we're almost finished.
It's the time when I asked you to just give me 2 minutes
or 3 minutes of your time, and imagine that there's nobody else
in the auditorium but us, because it's my true honor
as President to be the last person to get to talk to you
on behalf of the College.
It's difficult to say goodbye because you've left a mark
on all of us, a really positive mark.
It's rewarding for me to stand here and look at all of you
and know that the world is going
to be better place because of you.
You're special, not only to the people here today who love you
but you're special because you have the skills
and the opportunities to make a big difference in this world.
I know that some of you will think I'm an idealist
that the mission and the values of our College mean a lot to me.
I want to leave here and I want you
to leave here today knowing how important that values
and virtues will be throughout your whole life.
I know they sound like old fashion ideas specially coming
from a leader of a College that embraces new
and emerging technology.
But I believe with all of my heart the progress is built
on the foundation of basic principles
that sustain us through generations.
We often avoid conversations about steadfast values
and virtue because we fear that we might be a hypocrite
if we don't live up to them or we're worried
that we might offend somebody
or risk offending somebody whose culture
or traditions are different from our own.
In the end, nothing should stand in the way
of communicating our common values,
our virtues because they strengthen the world.
Every culture and tradition has a place for honesty, integrity,
compassion, responsibility and obligation.
Rather than limiting ourselves, our values
and virtues provide opportunities for each of us
to make a profound difference.
When we're able to connect what we know in our head
with our heart and now what you can do
with your hands we find the true meaning and purpose of life.
I hope your Penn College Education will allow you
to connect your head and your heart and your hands.
We search for the meaning
of life all the time whether what we choose a career
as a designer or builder, an operator, a manager,
it doesn't matter what we choose to do,
we each want to have a purpose.
Each time you choose to do the right thing instead
of taking the easy road out, you choose virtue.
When you persist in pursuing a noble goal you choose virtue.
If you want to do more than just survive and I hope you want
to do more than just survive, and you want
to thrive the only way to do that is to be virtuous.
Avoid the traits that are opposite of virtue, arrogance,
indulgence, complacency and greed.
Our communities need selfless individuals to be servants
to the community especially in their success.
As college graduates, I have absolutely no doubt
as Penn College graduates you will be leaders
in your chosen field.
And so the way you express yourself, your values
and your words and your actions will make a big difference
in the impact of others.
The great philosopher Socrates once said "The greatest way
to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be,"
but pretending is not enough and I would suggest that you--
to you that you have to intend to be in order to be successful.
We have seen everyday in our lives how the mighty will fail
because they can't even do what they're pretending to do.
Ask yourself who you're going to be as you transition
through this life, you're going to make lots of transitions
from college to work, to family life.
Someday you're even going to talk about your retirement.
All you're decisions, you're going to ask the same question,
"Who are you and what kind of person do you want to be?"
I urge you to greet life with energy, enthusiasm
and employ your knowledge and your values and your virtue
in creating the life that you most desire.
Today, you become part of a proud tradition
when you would become a Penn College Alumnus.
For nearly 100 years,
this institution has been changing lives
and impacting communities.
We ask you to come back often because we again want
to hear of your success.
We want to continue to hear of the difference you make
in the lives that you touched.
It really is now time to say goodbye
and to send you off into the real world.
So class of 2012, you are now part of a valued,
virtuous history
of the Pennsylvania College of Technology.
And on behalf of everyone that stands with me today,
I ask you to leave and to please make us proud.
Congratulations.
[ Applause ]
>> I invite those who are able to stand,
gentlemen please remove your caps and everyone to join
in the singing of the Penn College Alma Mater.
The words may be found on page 2 of your program.
[ Noise ]
[ Singing ]
[ Applause ]
>> Thank you please be seated and remain seated
until the platform party has recessed.
[ Music ]
We ask that the audience remain seated while the graduates
exit next.
The ushers will conduct a recessional and we asked
that the graduates continue all the way to the street,
so you maybe easily able to connect
with your family and friends.
Best wishes and congratulations.
[ Music ]
>> I hope you never lose your sense of wonder.
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger.
May you never take one single breath for granted,
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed.
I hope you still feel small
when you stand beside the ocean whenever one door closes I hope
one more opens.
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance.
I hope you dance.
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance.
Never settle for the path of least resistance.
Livin' might mean takin' chances,
but they're worth takin'.
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'.
Don't let some Hell-bent heart leave you bitter.
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider.
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
and when you get the choice to sit it out--