WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Pennsylvania College of Technology Board of Directors approved two retired faculty for emeritus status during its Oct. 9 board meeting. Kirk M. Cantor, polymer engineering, and Keith A. Vanderlin, graphic design and art, received this recognition.
To be eligible for emeritus status at Penn College, faculty nominees must be honorably retired in good standing and have served the college for a minimum of 10 years, demonstrating a record of distinguished service to students, their department, their academic school and/or the college. Nominations are reviewed and approved by the Promotion and Sabbatical Review Committee and recommended for Board of Directors consideration by the president.
Cantor taught at Penn College for 35 years, joining the team in 1990 as an instructor. He brought to the college industry experience as a NASA engineer, with a specialization in high-altitude scientific balloons. Cantor holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland, and a master’s degree and doctorate from Penn State in polymer science. Cantor received numerous promotions in academic rank during his career at Penn College, receiving full professor in 2023.
Cantor was instrumental in supporting the expansion of the polymers program from an associate degree to also including a bachelor’s degree. He developed new courses on plastics and polymer materials, polymer processing, and more. Cantor also served as co-principal investigator on National Science Foundation grants.
Cantor’s expertise in polymer extrusion, with a specialization in blown film extrusion, is recognized internationally. He published numerous books, chapters in textbooks and articles. Cantor also served industry, conducting dozens of trainings and seminars through Penn College’s Workforce Development and other organizations.
Vanderlin taught for 36 years, joining the Penn College team in 1989 as one of the original full-time faculty members in the graphic design department. Vanderlin holds a bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College, a Master of Education from Temple University, and a Master of Fine Arts from Rhode Island School of Design. When Vanderlin retired in 2022, he held the title of assistant professor, graphic design/photography.
Vanderlin wrote and taught the department’s photography courses, integrating them into the curriculum to ensure cohesion with the program’s instructional philosophy. He also contributed to the college community through his artistic practice in photography and wood sculpture, enriching the campus’s culture.
In 1998 Vanderlin received the Master Teacher Award, showcasing his commitment to academic excellence. Jessica Tobias, a 2012 graphic design graduate, said in support of Vanderlin’s nomination: “Professor Vanderlin held students to high standards, inspiring me to articulate and refine my photographic style, a skill I continue to use professionally.”
For information on polymer engineering degrees and other majors offered by Penn College’s School of Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520 or visit www.pct.edu/et.
For information on graphic design and art degrees and other majors offered by Penn College’s School of Business, Arts & Sciences, call 570-327-4521 or visit www.pct.edu/bas.
Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.