The Williamsonian Summer 2017 | Page 5

‘Immensely Successful’ Career Fair Held The winter Career Fair in the Restall Sports Center was “immensely success- ful” with 88 companies from 14 states represented, four colleges and universi- ties, and three branches of the military, said Margaret “Weemie” Kingham, placement director and organizer of the event. “I don’t think the students realize it, but all of those people were there to hire them. There were so many jobs to choose from that it was overwhelming. Our students are unbelievably fortunate to have so many companies interested in hiring them. “Now is the tough part for our stu- dents, deciding which company they want to start their careers with. But, it’s good to have options. I also think a lot of jobs were cemented that day, some with interviews on the spot and some that were begun awhile ago.” All of Williamson’s trades were well represented with plenty of companies to pursue for employment. And, com- panies came from a much wider geo- graphic area than in the past, including North Carolina, Michigan, Connecti- cut, and Mississippi. “It’s staggering how we can pull in companies from all over, they really want to come to this.” Kingham stressed that it is not the trade skills that set Williamson gradu- ates apart, but their character traits. “Our product is not the trade, it is char- acter. Williamson is ahead in character development of its students. Our core values are very important; most high schools and colleges do not stress such things.” Kingham was impressed with the number of alumni in attendance, rep- resenting their companies. “These Wil- liamson graduates take great pride in their company and great pride in their school. They are happy to show off where they started to their employers and they love meeting with our stu- dents. “Graduates are the best way to get through to our students. When they ask them questions about a company they know they will get honest answers and won’t be misled.” She added that there were a number of alumni at the fair looking for work. “I cannot stress enough that our alumni are always welcome at our Career Fairs. We are happy to help them in their ca- reer pursuits.” Kingham was pleased to see William- son represented so well by the staff and faculty, including President Rounds, and the board of trustees, including Bill Bonenberger 7W9, board chairman, and Art Lallo 7W9, board vice chair- man. “Their presence and interaction with the company representatives dem- onstrates their concern for Williamson and its students.” She also offered a big “Thank you” to all the faculty and staff who worked so Zachary Named Senior VP & Chief Of Staff Todd Zachary, Ed.D., a retired Air Force colonel with vast educational ex- perience, has been named the senio r vice president and chief of staff, an- nounced President Michael Rounds. He will assume his duties on April 3. Rounds said, “I am delighted that Todd Zachary has accepted our invita- tion to serve Williamson in this impor- tant position. Todd has an impressive background that includes, not only a varied military career, but also serving at Valley Forge College and the United Todd Zachary, Ed.D. States Air Force Academy Preparatory School. His background, talents, and leadership abilities will help us im- mensely as we all work together to fur- ther Williamson’s mission.” Zachary said, “I am honored to be joining the staff at Williamson. It is exciting to be a part of a school that makes a lasting difference in the lives of its students and the community. My wife Sheri and I are excited about join- ing the Williamson family. I’m looking forward to helping guide Williamson as it moves into the future, yet steadfastly championing the traditions of its hon- ored heritage.” Among Zachary’s many talents are executive leadership and management, student counseling and mentoring, strategic planning, organizational de- velopment, curriculum development, and faculty training and management. Zachary’s educational experience includes serving as dean of students at Valley Forge College in Wayne, Pa.; head of school at Rivermont Collegiate Preparatory School, in Bettendorf, La.; and department chair and senior aero- space science instructor at North Penn High School-North Penn School Dis- trict, in Lansdale, Pa. In his 23 years of Air Force service, Continued on page 6 5 Williamson’s Career Fairs give students the opportunity to meet personally with representatives of dozens of companies in their field. hard to make the event a success. “This is a group effort and would not be suc- cessful without the support of so many.” The sponsorships were again very suc- cessful with ten companies registered as Chairman Sponsors, the highest cat- egory: Axalta Coating Systems; Cyma, Builders & Construction Managers, Inc.; D.R. Horton Inc.; Exelon Gen- eration; Granite Services Inc.; Milacron Plastics Machinery Americas; Pepco Holdings, Inc.; Shearon Environmental Design; Storm Technologies, Inc.; and Timet. Chairman sponsorships include reg- istration for both the fall and spring Career Fairs, a full-page advertisement in the Career Fair booklet, an opportu- nity to make a presentation to specified students in a particular trade, and an Assembly Hour presentation, among other perks. The next Career Fair will be Wednes- day, Nov. 15, from 8 a.m. to noon with presentations and interviews taking place from 1-3 p.m. For more informa- tion, to make a reservation, or to be- come a sponsor, visit www.williamson. edu/student-life/career-services/career- fairs/ or contact Kingham at 610-566- 1776, ext. 247, or mkingham@william- son.edu. Bonenberger ’79 Speaks At Founder’s Day William Bonenberger 7W9, board chairman, in his keynote Founder’s Day address in the Clara Schrenk Memo- rial Chapel, said “Isaiah Williamson founded a school that has stood the test of time. It has been leading young men to success for about 130 years. Every year we take 100 freshmen who have few options in life, and three years later we turn out skilled craftsmen who are sought after by employers.” He added that Mr. Williamson didn’t believe that learning a trade was enough to achieve success. “He also wanted the students to be honest, frugal, and tem- perate because those traits would lead to success. We teach men about life and we have them live by our core values every day. Williamson is the toughest three years you will ever love. If you don’t feel that way now, you will later on.” After his remarks, President Michael Rounds presented Bonenberger with a wooden box with a picture of Rowan Hall on it. In his welcoming remarks, Samuel Wrightson, vice president of education, said “We are here to celebrate Isaiah Williamson’s 214th birthday. Mr. Wil- liamson did not spend his money on himself, he used his money to help fu- ture generations of young men.” Michael Schneider, senior class presi- dent, said “Williamson College of the Trades is one of the things we are most thankful for, even though we complain a lot. None of us would be as successful as we are going to be if it were not for this school and its core values.” William Goodworth 8W2, the Alum- ni Association president, in his tribute said “If Isaiah Williamson were alive to- day, he would be glad to see his school is still thriving. I never heard any of my classmates say they wasted their time Continued on page 9 Board Chairman Bill Bonenberger ’79