Four Pennsylvania College of Technology students are among 14 nationwide to receive scholarships from a foundation dedicated to promoting skilled manufacturing careers.
The $1,500 to $2,500 scholarships from Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs, the foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International, are for full-time students enrolled in an engineering or manufacturing-related course of study.
Career Day brought hundreds of ninth-12th graders to campus on Thursday to explore more than 30 activities offered by employees and students to help high-schoolers learn about the wide variety of career options available to them. The event is coordinated by the College Transitions and First Year Initiatives Office.
A half-dozen students in two of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s academic schools are among 36 recipients of financial assistance from the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute’s Rees Scholarship Foundation.
Sharing a total of $8,000 are Peter W. Bennett, of Sea Cliff, New York, and Christopher J. Milliken, of Bellefonte, majoring in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology; Luke Samuel Mika Brambley, of Breezewood, and Aiden Chestnut, of Aston, enrolled in heating, ventilation and air conditioning design technology; and building automation technology students Austin R. Reynolds, of Enola, and Adam J. Tarnowski, of Shickshinny.
A Pennsylvania College of Technology student has received a $4,000 scholarship from PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.
Levi E. Pomeroy, of Dillsburg, is one of 17 students nationwide selected for the scholarship, which requires students to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, a career plan in packaging and processing machinery manufacturing, as well as a record of past awards and recognition and industry involvement through internship and career development activities.
Pennsylvania College of Technology is introducing a new path for career success in the electrical field. Applications are being accepted for the electrical construction associate degree, which will begin in Fall 2020.
The degree reflects the college’s time-honored commitment of adjusting curriculum to address workforce needs, as identified by faculty with strong ties to industry and advisory committees of in-field professionals. The college has a 95% three-year graduate placement rate.
Nine students from Pennsylvania College of Technology’s SkillsUSA team earned medals in six categories – three silvers and three bronzes – during the National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, from June 24-29.
“The students represented themselves and the college well, and it showed with the number of medals we returned home with,” said SkillsUSA adviser James N. Colton II, an assistant professor of welding. “I look forward to next year and the students that we will have competing.”
The approved 2019-20 state budget delivers appropriation funding to Pennsylvania College of Technology reflecting its long history of success in producing skilled workers, while leveling the playing field with other publicly funded institutions in the commonwealth, the college’s board chair said Friday.
“Finally, Penn College is being recognized for the invaluable hands-on education and training it provides to students, who become highly skilled members of the workforce – addressing the skills gap that continues to impact industry and hinder the economy,” said Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the college’s Board of Directors. “All we have ever asked for is to be treated with parity in funding with other state institutions. With this budget, we have made real progress.”
Five Penn College students were recognized this month by the West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association for classroom success, dedication to the construction industry and the high standards with which they conduct themselves. Honored during a meeting at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore were Hunter M. Bean, of McElhattan, heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis; Matthew E. Blose, of Williamsport, residential construction technology and management: building construction technology concentration; Corey J. Carr, of Pulaski, Virginia, heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology; Kurtis J. Klodnicki, of Danville, building construction technology and building construction technology: masonry emphasis; and Eric J. Langer, of New City, New York, electrical technology. Graduating seniors are traditionally nominated for the awards by faculty from their respective academic areas, then recognized by the association for their hard work and commitment to entering the industry. Levon A. Whitmyer, instructor of building construction technology, introduced the students to WBSBA members and handed out the awards. He also spoke on behalf of Blose, Carr and Klodnicki. Ryan W. Peck, diesel equipment technology instructor, represented Bean; Eric L. Anstadt, a faculty member in electrical technology occupations, offered an endorsement of Langer. Each of the student winners received a cash prize and was awarded a 4-foot level engraved with his name. “The students also got an opportunity to mingle with the members, increasing their professional network as they get ready to enter the construction industry,” Whitmyer said. “A big ‘thank you’ to West Branch for providing the support to help these students be recognized for their dedication to their craft.”
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The empowering combination of applied technology education and financial support was celebrated Sunday afternoon, as Pennsylvania College of Technology hosted its second annual Scholarship Luncheon in the campus Field House.
“I am overwhelmed by the collective energies in this room to transform tomorrow,” President Davie Jane Gilmour said, addressing students, families and donors alike. Announcing that the coming academic year will include the largest total amount of scholarships awarded in any one year during the college’s history, she thanked attendees for their significant role in helping students succeed.
Michael Bower, a graduate of Williamsport Area Community College and president of TurnKey Electric Inc., received an Alumni of the Year Award at the 18th annual Education Celebration hosted by the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce on Thursday evening.
The award – presented during a Williamsport Country Club event that highlights the crucial linkages among business and industry, local school districts and colleges – is given to a graduate who has made a significant contribution to the quality of life in Lycoming County, has excelled in his or her own profession, and is active in the community.
Rewarding career opportunities await for graduates of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s electrical programs: associate degrees in electrical technology and mechatronics and a bachelor’s degree in building automation technology. All three majors blend theory with considerable hands-on lab experience to produce graduates who are real-world ready. In fact, as noted in a new video on the college’s YouTube channel, many students secure jobs prior to graduation. “I think Penn College is doing a great job of introducing … students to the high level of technology within our industry,” says Matt Holbert, director of engineering for NRG Controls North. “Students coming out of there are sharp.”
On the surface, the three men have little in common. One looks like a vibrant, distinguished grandfather with his neatly trimmed white goatee and confident gait. The second could pass for a lead singer in a rock band with his lip and nose rings, faded T-shirt and long hair. The third appears to be a budding executive with his coiffed hair and button-down shirt complemented by a perfect smile.
They are separated by appearance, age, background and job title. But the three share educational roots at Pennsylvania College of Technology and mission at Packaging Progressions Inc. in Souderton.
Pennsylvania College of Technology electrical students powered their education throughout the fall semester by employing their skills at a regional park.
The 15 second-semester students installed electrical service at Lime Bluff Recreation Area in Hughesville. What began in the heat of August ended in December’s chill as the students worked about five hours a week at the complex.
“The work they did can’t be replicated in the lab due to the nature of it,” said Joseph R. Raup, instructor of electrical technology/occupations and teacher of the Construction Lab II-Commercial course charged with the project. “We don’t have the area to do the trenching and the underground type of work.”
Second-semester students seeking an associate degree in electrical technology at Penn College installed electrical service to Lime Bluff Recreation Area in Hughesville throughout the fall semester. The 15 students gained four months of “real-world” experience as they provided lighting and outlets to a maintenance building and a park pavilion, granting a longtime wish of the East Lycoming Recreation Authority to bring electricity to the park. “They really saved us a ton of money, both in drafting and in electrical,” said Thomas Zavalydriga, project director for the authority. “I’ve been in management all my professional career and these students have done just an outstanding job from a professional … and a personal standpoint.”
Kurt M. Maly, of Effort, is the initial recipient of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Army ROTC First-Year Scholarship. The award covers tuition for Maly’s freshman year.
“We are proud to offer this scholarship for incoming ROTC students,” said Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management and associate provost at Penn College. “For several years, ROTC students at the college have distinguished themselves in and out of the classroom. We have every expectation that Kurt will continue that tradition.”