Architectural Alums Show Students the World That Awaits

Published 04.03.2017

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Penn College prepared Balzer for a wide range of opportunities, including design of Tech-Zone's flagship store in Charlotte, N.C.A morning panel offers pointers on such student issues as gaining trust from a first employer and architects' pet peeves about working with general contractors. From left are Shimmel, Visco (who was succeeded by Bird for the afternoon session), Mowrey, Engel, Balzer, Lutz, Murr and Tabolinsky.Nine graduates of architectural technology and/or building science and sustainable design returned to campus Monday to inspire students by sharing their respective pathways from college to career. The full-day program in Penn's Inn, arranged by the academic department and the Alumni Relations Office as the first in a hoped-for series of such events, provided students in the School of Construction & Design Technologies with an inspiring glimpse at the successful projects and practices of those who once wore their shoes. On the agenda were individual presentations, panel discussions and a networking lunch. Sharing their expertise and experiences were David I. Balzer, '01, a project manager and recently licensed architect with the Williamsport-based Larson Design Group; Richard W. Bird II, ’90, corporate director of engineering, Muncy Homes, Muncy; Zachary K. Engle, ’11 project designer/Building Information Modeling manager, CORE Design Group, Hanover and York; Peter J. Lutz, ’75, architect/president/founder, CORE Design Group; Earl L. Mowrey, ’73, owner/designer/builder, Mowrey Contractor, Montoursville; Andrei K. Murr, ’14, LEED Green Associate/estimator, Construction Specialties Inc., Muncy; Allan R. Shimmel, ’12, LEED GA/senior computer-aided design technician/project manager, Fernsler Hutchinson Architecture, State College; Danielle F. Tabolinsky, ’14 LEED GA/project estimator, Koroseal Interior Products, Montoursville; and Anthony H. Visco Jr., ’67, architect, Anthony H. Visco Jr. Architects, Williamsport. "This school gave me the head start, the ability to do anything," Balzer said, name-checking the former and current faculty who exposed him to CAD, construction knowledge, ethics and model-building, among other skills. "I hire mostly Penn College graduates," he added. "I prefer them because I know what they can do."