Extended Hours August 19-21
Thurs., Aug. 19: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Fri., Aug. 20: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Sat., Aug. 21: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Were You There? The Evolution of a College Campus
This 100+ page book takes viewers on a journey through the institution's rich history, from the inception of adult classes at the Williamsport High School in 1914, through its evolution into Williamsport Technical Institute, Williamsport Area Community College, and present-day Penn College.
Program Tools & Kits for Fall Semester
Orders now being accepted online and in-store.
Summer and Fall Semester textbooks
Now available for purchase online and in-store.
Buy Textbooks
Featured Items
The College Store News
College Store Director Contributes to Industry Publication
December 2009
Matthew P. Branca, director of
The College Store
, recently contributed to an industry publication on the compliance efforts college bookstores around the country are undergoing to meet the requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. In the article, featured in the November/December issue of The College Store magazine, he argues the importance of providing open-access textbook information and its role in helping students succeed. Branca has been in the industry for 20 years, the past 10 at Penn College. He is a Certified Collegiate Retailer and frequently contributes to trade articles and discussion groups, and presents at regional and national conferences.College Seal Etched Into Instructor's Latest Stained-Glass Creation
November 2009
The College Store at Penn College is offering for sale locally crafted stained-glass windows with the college seal etched in blue glass. The center panel is bordered with clear beveled glass. Designed and created by Keith M. Whitesel, instructor of electrical technology/occupations in the School of Construction and Design Technologies, these pieces are being offered for sale exclusively through The College Store at $100 each, plus sales tax (no discounts will apply). All net proceeds will support student scholarship funds through the Penn College Foundation.College Store Featured in National Trade Magazine
April 2009
The College Store is featured in a cover story in the current issue of The College Store Magazine, the official publication of The National Association of College Stores. The seven-page article – titled "First Impressions" – outlines the advantages of campus bookstores' involvement in the student-orientation process. It includes two photographs from Penn College's 2008 Welcome Weekend and comments from Matthew P. Branca, director of The College Store (CC, first floor), about his 15-minute PowerPoint presentation during Connections sessions for incoming students and their families. "Not only does this program allow us to get the message out to new students and their parents, we also generated a tremendous amount of sales," he said.
College Store Awards $1,500-Plus to Student Organizations
January 2009
During The College Store’s end-of-semester textbook buyback in December, students selling back textbooks were given the opportunity to vote for their favorite student organizations. After all the votes were tabulated, the store awarded more than $1,500 among the participating clubs' accounts.
College Store Saves Students Almost $1.9 Million in 2007-08
August 2008
Successful programs of The College Store saved students $1.84 million during the 2007-08 academic year, store director Matthew A. Branca has announced. While The College Store strives to keep prices affordable to students so they can save on all the products that are sold through the store, Branca said there are four specific programs where savings are tracked and calculated: Lower-priced new textbooks, a high inventory of used textbooks, and the textbook-buyback and Snap-on tool programs.
WEB Tops Student Organizations in Book-Buyback Promotion
August 2008
The College Store has announced the winners of the May College Store Buyback Promotion, held to encourage student organizations' members and friends to recycle unwanted textbooks during the store’s end-of-semester buyback. Students should watch for information later this semester on how to get their club or organization involved for December's book-buyback program. College Store Offers Explanation of Textbook Prices
January 2007
The dramatic rise in textbook prices is being addressed by officials from the College Store, who explain the factors involved in pricing – and outline the ways that a sympathetic administration and faculty are working together to ease the "sticker shock."
College Store's Director Presents Workshop at Conference
April 2006
Matthew P. Branca, director of The College Store at Penn College, presented a workshop on teamwork development at the annual Super Regional Meeting and Buying Show, held April 2-5 at the Foxwoods Resort in Ledyard, Conn. Aviation Student Wins Tool Chest; Raffle Tops $1,300 for Scholarships
May 2005
The winner of the custom-painted Snap-on tool-chest set is Andrew D. Zook of Carlisle, a junior in Penn College's aviation maintenance technology major. Zook purchased his raffle tickets several weeks ago, but was in The College Store selling back his textbooks when Tuesday's drawing occurred and decided to stick around to see who won. He said the Snap-on chest will replace his smaller Craftsman set. Matthew P. Branca, College Store director, thanks all who participated in the raffle - particularly student Brandon H. Smith for customizing the tool set in "Wildcat Blue" and to Snap-on for donating it to the fund-raiser. The raffle raised more than $1,300 for the College Store Endowed Scholarship Fund. Textbook buyback runs through Wednesday, May 11, during regular business hours in The College Store. Students' Penn College ID is required when selling back books; no other form of ID will be accepted. Director of The College Store at Penn College Earns NACS Credential
February 2005
Matthew P. Branca, director of The College Store at Penn College, recently earned the designation "Certified Collegiate Retailer." The credential, granted by the National Association of College Stores, has been earned by fewer than 10 percent of all eligible candidates. Branca has been director of The College Store since 1999. He began working in the college-store industry in 1990 and has managed stores in New Rochelle and St. Bonaventure, N.Y.; Seattle; and Cranford, N.J. He was also a regional manager overseeing a group of stores in the Atlanta region.
Used-Book Sales at Penn College Surpass National Average
July 2004
The percentage of used textbooks sold by The College Store at Penn College last year was higher than the average for all college bookstores, according to national figures.
"We encourage the purchase of used books, because they usually represent the best value for our students," said Matthew P. Branca, director of The College Store. College Store Employees Establish Scholarship
July 2001
Among the duties performed by College Store employees at Penn College is ensuring that students find the textbooks and supplies they need to succeed in their studies. Now, those same employees are going beyond the call of duty by helping students who require financial assistance to complete their education. The Pennsylvania College of Technology-College Store Scholarship will be issued to a minimum of one student in the fall and spring semesters, beginning this fall.
