Penn College

Dean named for Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies

David R. Cotner has been appointed dean of the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies at Pennsylvania College of Technology, succeeding William E. Mack, who is stepping down for health reasons.

Cotner had served as assistant dean of the school since January. Stacey C. Hampton has been named to succeed him in that role. She had been employed as coordinator of academic operations for industrial, computing and engineering technologies.

Nathan D. Smyth serves as the other assistant dean for the school. He was assistant dean of health sciences before becoming assistant dean of industrial, computing and engineering technologies as part of a reconfiguration of academic schools that took effect earlier this month.

Mack, whose career in technical education spans three decades, had served as dean of the school since July 2012. He will continue with the college as a special assistant to the vice president for academic affairs/provost, working on special projects and teaching some classes.

All of the changes took effect July 26.

“While we hate to see Dean Mack step away from the leadership of the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, I have every confidence that Dave Cotner will ably fill the role,” said Paul L. Starkey, vice president for academic affairs/provost. “Dave has been an outstanding teacher and administrator. He knows and loves the college and is committed to the highest standards of education for our students. I look forward to working with Dean Cotner.”

“Stacey Hampton’s transition to assistant dean should be very smooth,” Starkey added. “Stacey knows the students, faculty and programs of the school extraordinarily well. She brings great energy to the table, and we welcome her leadership in ICET.”

Before joining the administration, Cotner served as department head in the college’s welding department. He joined the full-time welding faculty at Penn College in 2004. Previously, he was a certified welding inspector, production supervisor and certified welder for various heavy-fabrication companies. He was also an adjunct instructor for nine years in the college’s welding department and with Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Penn College.

He earned an associate degree in welding technology and a bachelor’s degree in welding and fabrication engineering technology, both from Penn College, as well as a Master of Science in education from Wilkes University. He maintains his Certified Welding Inspector license and has held other welding certifications. He is a recipient of the college’s Excellence in Academic Advising Award, an honor generated from student nominations.

Hampton joined Penn College in 2006 as a matriculation and retention coordinator. Previously, she worked with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit and its federal GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a dual degree in early childhood education from Millersville University and is working toward a master's degree from Wilkes University.

Smyth joined Penn College in 2006 as coordinator of matriculation and retention for the School of Health Sciences. Previously, he was program director for the U.S. Army ROTC program at Bucknell University; division chemical officer at Fort Riley, Kan.; brigade chemical officer at Camp Humphreys, Korea; and assistant program director for the Army at Boise State University.

For more about Penn College, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call 800-367-9222.

Last Updated January 9, 2015

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