Williamson Students Returned To Campus — For Classes And Shops
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Continued from page 3 volunteer basis , including the Artisans , Chapel Band , and the Ambassadors , all under the college ’ s safety protocols .
Campus visitations were limited and special events , such as Convocation , Homecoming , and Rowan Day , were held , but with guests watching virtually at home on their computers .
To maintain social distancing , chapel seated only one class at a time with the other classes attending virtually . Seating in the dining room was limited to only three to a table with just one class per serving , requiring three dining periods for each meal .
Williamson created a COVID website to provide daily updates on the college ’ s pandemic mitigation efforts and strategy in addition to the various changes to activities and events .
Throughout the academic year , students who were symptomatic , tested positive , or identified through contact tracing protocols were quarantined in compliance with CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health recommendations and quarantined students were able to stay current in their academic classes virtually . Through everyone ’ s continuing efforts and hard work , the college did not experience a significant spike in positive cases , with no more than six students being positive simultaneously , and no students had to go to a hospital . Through a rigorous contact tracing protocol , most students who tested positive were transmitted the virus through an off-campus contact . In alignment with CDC and Pennsylvania state guidance , a symptomatic student ’ s roommate was also tested and quarantined as an additional safety measure . During the on-campus portion of fall semester , no faculty or staff had the CO- VID virus .
Helene Montone , director of health services , Joan DiPrimio , administrative assistant for student affairs , along with countless other faculty and staff , put in extra hours all year to ensure campus safety in conducting daily health screening to ensure students were not symptomatic in addition to Sunday night health screenings , resetting the campus for each week . Before faculty , staff , and students could return for both the fall and spring semesters , they were required to receive a negative COVID test .
With the success of fall ’ s on-campus learning , on-campus learning has continued spring semester with the same guidelines and restrictions . It is hoped that with the development of vaccines , a return to normal life will not be too far off in the future .
Dr . Michelle Williams , vice president of academic affairs and CAO , said “ Despite dealing with a once in a century pandemic that changed every aspect of daily life in what seemed like an instant , including educational practices , the fall 2020 semester was a very exciting time on campus . The faculty and staff were excited to have the students return to campus and students were very happy to return as well . Although academic and trade classes were different due to COVID-19 safety precautions , such as mask requirements , plexiglass in computer labs , an additional evening shop class for each trade , three lunches , as opposed to the traditional one , desks spaced out in classes , and smaller class sizes , students and faculty were enthusiastic about being back on campus and engaging in teaching and learning inperson .
“ Teachers and students remained flexible and very amenable to the changes on campus , while working diligently to accomplish trade and academic goals . The fact that in-person classes were held on campus daily , especially during a pandemic where other schools were completely virtual is a remarkable testament to the strength , unity , creativity , dedication , hard work , and vitality of the Williamson community . And for that , I say a heartfelt thank you to the teachers and the students for successfully completing an uncommon but outstanding semester .”
How did faculty and students feel about being on campus fall semester ?
Mike Neville , director of construction technology-carpentry , said “ In my opinion , there ’ s no better way to learn theory and shop than on campus . I am proud of our students for stepping up despite the difficulties due to the pandemic and reaching the goal of Thanksgiving break . It was a great achievement on the part of the administration , faculty , and student body . I am proud to be a part of it .”
Ed Gawlas , mathematics and science instructor , said “ At first , I had mixed feelings . I was looking forward to being in front of the students , but was concerned about becoming infected . After the first week or so , I got comfortable with the safety plan and protocols Williamson had and was no longer as concerned about COVID-19 . I was glad we were able to meet live . There are so many nuances that get lost when you teach virtually .”
Richard Torelli , a junior carpenter , said “ For me , the extra classes at first were more of a downside than an upside because normally there aren ’ t mandatory after-hours at shop . However , most
Joan DiPrimio , administrative assistant for student affairs , ( left ) and Provost Todd Zachary , Ed . D ., ( right ) conduct a COVID-screening during a morning lineup , a daily part of fall and spring semesters ’ COVID safety procedures to ensure a safe campus during the pandemic .
of the time a lot of the guys would go up to shop to work on personal projects . After a little while I started to appreciate it and see the upside of the mandatory shop class at night because it is 100 percent better than being online . You ’ re actually hands-on , which is most important , but you ’ re also with your classmates in person , making memories , learning from one another , and just communicating . So , yes , this was definitely better than learning from home like last spring !”
Peter Zwolak 0W7 , director of construction technology-masonry , said “ I ’ m really glad we were on campus fall semester . It was great being in shop with the students and it seemed like nothing was different except for everyone wearing a mask . The students had one long day in shop each week , which was demanding , but they all had a good attitude about it . The students wanted as much shop time as they could get . Many of the guys came to shop at 7 a . m . instead of 8 a . m . because they couldn ’ t wait to get started working on hands-on projects . In learning the trades , handson is very important and much better than virtual learning . The administration did a good job keeping everyone safe by keeping in touch with the current safety precautions . All in all , it went very well .”
Kimberly Glass , business instructor , said “ I thought the semester went well . All of the planning and consultation with experts resulted in the successful implementation of policies and protocols that worked really well . I always felt I was able to take appropriate precautions to protect myself and to successfully encourage students to do the same . On rare occasions , I needed to remind students how to wear their masks , but students ’ adherence to the rules and the quick response of the administration when there was reason to believe someone was sick , I ’ m sure , were significant contributors to keeping the vast majority of us COVID-free during the fall . While working with students who were unable to come to class could be challenging , I am thankful for the policies and for everyone who came to work and to class every day , wearing a mask , washing their hands , and sanitizing work surfaces for others to use .”
Jack Becker , a senior power plant technology student and senior class president , said “ In-person learning at Williamson is very important in achieving our hands-on side of education that is very attractive to employers . Learning the theory of trades is important , but being able to apply that during shop time is even more important . Even with all the safety protocols , being able to be on campus this semester was much better than the on-line experience of last semester . The extra shop time made up for the missed work from last year and it gave us a chance to bond with our freshmen . Being back on campus and back with my classmates was definitely something I was really grateful for .”
Zachary Keeney , a freshman power plant technology student , said “ I am glad we didn ’ t have to do the whole semester from home . As a Williamson student it is important for us to get hands-on time in shop and be able to learn from experience . I am grateful that Williamson was able to give us students this opportunity and hope it will keep on going .”
Hunter Killinen , a senior masonry student , said “ I thought coming back to school at the start of this year really helped many students . They felt more comfortable being able to talk to their teachers face to face if they needed help and in shop practicing our skills , so we don ’ t fall behind once we are in the real world . I loved being back in shop with my classmates because it is a brotherhood . We push each other to do better both academically and in shop physically .”