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With just one week of classes with final exams, Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour, president of the Pennsylvania College of Technoloy, touted the fact that the college made it through the entire academic year with in-person learning. Gilmour made the statements at a recent meeting of the college's Board of Directors.
"I would encourage people to take a moment to reflect that we have been able to do that face-to-face which is a significant accomplishment when you look at other colleges and universities," Gilmour said.
"I frankly would use the word remarkable that we have been able to conduct our classes face-to-face without any slowdown at all this academic year," she added.
In other business, two retired members of the college have been granted emeritus status following approval by the board.
Eric K. Albert, associate professor of automated manufacturing and engineering and Chef Craig Cian, associate professor of food and hospitality management and culinary arts, both retired last year. Albert began his employment at the college in 1991 and Cian in 1985.
Several new programs for majors that were outlined by Dr. Michael J. Reed, vice president for academic affairs/provost, are being added to the curriculum offerings beginning Fall 2021.
According to Reed, some of the courses that are either new or have been significantly transformed include a master's degree in nursing education, bachelor's degree programs in applied health studies, business administration and a health science with a pre-hospital concentration. The college has also added several associate degrees and certificates.
Other board agenda items included a presentation by Jessica Hunter, director of financial aid at the college, detailing her department's 2019-20 annual report.
Hunter told the board that during that time period, a total of $91,525,994 in financial aid was awarded to 5,124 students at the college. Of the total student population, 92.5 percent receive financial aid.
"We know that on a daily basis, we have to remember the impact that we have on students and how important it is that they have the funding they need to meet their goals," Hunter said.
She cited various sources for financial aid including federal Pell and SEOG grants as well as state grants. Hunter noted that educational loans are the largest source of funding for students attending the college.
Three additional aid sources were mentioned by Hunter--federal work study, veterans benefits and Penn College scholarships which are made available through donors and institutional funding.
Focusing on the funding available through the college's scholarships, Hunter said, "These are the dollars that show a student Penn College really wants them. And we know we want every student and we would like to be able to award scholarships and may someday that will happen.But we are so blessed to have the funds that we do have that can make a difference in students' lives."
In his closing comments, Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, chairman of the board, said that hopefully by the next meeting which is scheduled for 3 p.m., June 10, the college will have more information about the budget for the 2021-22 school year.
"This time of year everybody asks about the budget…I'm not sure that any of us know where we're going with the budget yet," he said.
"There's a lot of information about how some of this money can be used. so that's where we are. That will all get worked out hopefully over the next two months and we'll end up with a budget on time. But at this point things have not gotten really serious in Harrisburg," he added.