Events held for practical nursing graduates
The GACTC graduated 26 students from the full-time Practical Nursing program on August 17, 2023. Graduation activities included a pinning ceremony on August 15th and commencement, held on August 17th at the Altoona Area High School. The “pinning ceremony,” a symbolic welcoming of new nurses into the profession, can be dated as far back as the 12th century, and became standard in the United States by 1916. During the ceremony, students are pinned by nursing [...]
GACTC celebrates graduates from Expanded Function Dental Assistant and Medical Assistant programs
On August 10, 2023, the GACTC celebrated the accomplishments of nine postsecondary students that successfully completed the Expanded Function Dental Assistant or Medical Assistant diploma programs. Collectively, our nine graduates completed more than 11,112 training hours in these programs; our Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) students participated in 480 hours of clinical experiences with local dental offices, and our Medical Assistant students end their coursework with a 240-hour clinical externship with a local medical [...]
Practical Nursing Graduate Continues Success
Bridget Montgomery, LPN, a 2022 graduate of the GACTC Practical Nursing program, was awarded the 2023 Donald and Nancy Devorris Nursing Scholarship in May 2023. Bridget is completing a Bachelor’s degree in registered nursing with Mount Aloysius College, an endeavor she started while enrolled in the practical nursing program. Prior to her graduation in August 2022, Bridget was the recipient of a scholarship from the Pennsylvania Association of Practical Nursing Administrators (PAPNA) from the central [...]
News from the GACTC Adult Education Programs – July 2023 Edition
In this edition of the Adult Education Programs' newsletter, read about our recent graduation ceremonies for some of our diploma programs, meet a few of our students and their recent activities and accomplishments in the classroom and beyond, and review our short-term training programs and GACTC's open employment positions. Read the full newsletter here.
GACTC student Garrett Baumgartner wins national SkillsUSA competition
Garrett Baumgartner of the GACTC won the gold medal in the Carpentry competition at the national SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference. Baumgartner was one of four GACTC students to participate in the national conference, which was held June 19-23 in Atlanta. “Being able to say that I am the #1 high school carpentry student in the country is very cool. My co-op experience this year really helped me to work on my carpentry skills,” [...]
Adult & high school welding students earn American Welding Society certifications
Students in the Welding high school and adult programs at the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) completed testing in May 2023 for several American Welding Society (AWS) certifications. GACTC students in the high school and adult welding programs had the opportunity to achieve up to three certifications from AWS including GMAW 2G, SMAW 3G, and FCAW 3G. The GACTC is an Accredited Test Facility through AWS. These certifications are valued by regional employers. [...]
