News about Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies

Army Commissions Two Penn College ROTC Graduates

Two Spring 2018 Penn College graduates were among the Bald Eagle Battalion Army ROTC cadets recently commissioned as second lieutenants. Christopher T. Craig II (left), of Rixford, earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive technology management, and Dane M. Boltz (right), of Williamsport, earned a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering technology. Joining them – and administering the oath of office to the new lieutenants – was Maj. Jonathon M. Britton, professor of military science at Lock Haven University, the host institution for Bald Eagle Battalion.

Two Pennsylvania College of Technology graduates were among the Bald Eagle Battalion Army ROTC cadets recently commissioned as second lieutenants.

Christopher T. Craig II, of Rixford, who earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive technology management, and Dane M. Boltz, of Williamsport, recipient of a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering technology, were commissioned during a ceremony at Lock Haven University, the host institution for the Bald Eagle Battalion.

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Spring Commencement: A Mid-May Extravaganza of Emotion

Eyewear for the day, vision for the future

Pennsylvania College of Technology held three commencement ceremonies May 11-12 for more than 900 students who petitioned to graduate following the Spring 2018 semester. The Friday afternoon proceedings at the Community Arts Center honored students from the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies and the School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications. Saturday morning featured The School of Construction & Design Technologies and the School of Health Sciences, while students from the School of Business & Hospitality and the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies graduated during the afternoon session. Student speakers were Hanna Jo Williams, of Marion, New York, awarded a bachelor’s degree in industrial and human factors design and an associate degree in studio arts on Friday; Glendalis Guadarrama, of Avondale, who received a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Saturday morning’s session; and Alexandra M. Lehman, of Williamsport, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration: sport and event management concentration to close out the festive weekend. The college also bestowed three teaching honors – the Veronica M. Muzic Master Teacher Award and two Excellence in Teaching Awards – as well as a pair of alumni awards.

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Last updated May 12, 2018 | Posted in Alumni, Business & Hospitality, Construction & Design Technologies, Events, Faculty & Staff, Health Sciences, Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, Institutional Advancement, President, Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications, Students, Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies | This gallery contains 32 photos. | Tagged as | Leave a comment

Penn College Baja Team Pumped for Kansas Competition

Members of the Penn College Baja SAE team take a well-earned break during their April competition in Maryland. Standing from left are: Myron D. Milliken, Lewistown; Matthew J. Nyman, Lock Haven; Todd R. Mercer, Williamsport; Dylan A. Bianco, State College; Christopher M. Schweikert, Jamison; Mathias Decker, Farmington; Shujaa AlQahtani, Saudi Arabia; Trevor M. Clouser, Millmont; Daniel M. Gerard, Doylestown; Joshua J. Cover, Selinsgrove; adviser John G. Upcraft; and Jonathan R. Sutcliffe, Orangeville. Sitting on the car from left are: Logan B. Goodhart, Chambersburg; Johnathan T. Capps, North Wales; and Mark A. Turek, Red Lion. Sitting on the ground is alumnus Zach Mazur, who started the college’s Baja SAE team in 2005.

During the past few years, the Pennsylvania College of Technology Baja SAE team has been among the world’s best. Now, the dedicated students want to be the best.

Penn College can obtain that lofty ranking when it competes against 99 other schools in the next Society of Automotive Engineers event, scheduled for May 17-20 in Pittsburg, Kansas.

“Our goal is to win the endurance race,” said Logan B. Goodhart, a manufacturing engineering technology major from Chambersburg, who serves as team captain. “Our car has a lot of potential. We just have to play things smart and have a little luck.”

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College’s Restoration Camp Featured in National Classic-Car Blog

Penn College’s second annual Automotive Restoration Camp, to be offered June 17-20, is featured in a recent edition of Hemmings Daily. As instructor Roy H. Klinger points out in the article, “auto restoration spans a range of disciplines,” and the camp is the best way to give those considering a future in the trade a sampling of each. The overnight camp – among the array of engaging opportunities to be held on campus – will include introductions to upholstery, metalforming and sheet-metal working; hands-on instruction in pinstriping and use of the paint simulator; and a spin in the college-owned Ford Model T. Attendees will also enjoy a field trip to the Eagles Mere Auto Museum in nearby Sullivan County, which houses roughly 75 cars from the 1950s and ’60s, and, in addition to knowledge gained, can take home their upholstery and metal-shaping projects.
Automotive Restoration Camp is filled, but a waiting list is being compiled should vacancies arise.

Shower of Sparks Brings May Flowers

In the welding lab (from left), Sparkman, Nolan and Carlson display their towering, flowering creation ...

... before it was transported "over the mountain" and installed at its permanent location outside the ESC.

An instructor and two students in his Gas Metal Arc welding class created an appropriate greenhouse sign for the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, home to Penn College’s horticulture/landscape technology major. The project began when Facebook-posted photos of metal roses crafted in Matt W. Nolan’s welding lab on main campus caught the eye of a faculty colleague at the ESC. “I asked him if he would be interested in creating a new sign for our Greenhouse #3,” said Carl J. Bower Jr., assistant professor of horticulture, noting that the existing sign – a small piece of wood into which the facility’s name was carved – was rather dated. “He and his students came through and created a fitting sign for us.” Nolan was joined on the job by welding and fabrication engineering technology majors Daniel C. Carlson, of Linesville, and Tyler J. Sparkman, of Aliquippa. “Carl said he planted sunflowers in this greenhouse, among other plants, so I thought some steel sunflowers would be perfect. I also wanted to create a piece of art that would stand the test of time much like that old wooden sign was struggling to do!” Nolan said. “The students did such a great job and also created a piece of artwork that showcases the skills they have learned. I’m very proud of Ty and Dan’s hard work on this project, as well as all the welding students in our program.”
Photos by Bower

Milton Youngsters Observe Arbor Day With ESC Visit

Sledge delivers a hydroponics lesson ...

... as well as a primer on how plants grow.

Studying cones

Young hands help Bower plant a tree ...

... then proudly stand by their work.

The Milton YMCA’s Early Childhood Learning Center brought 34 kids, ages 2-5 years, to Penn College’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center on Friday morning to celebrate Arbor Day by planting a weeping cherry tree, learning the value of trees and how plants grow, visiting the hydroponics lab, and potting a plant. The 2- and 3-year-olds also listened to Carl J. Bower Jr., assistant professor of horticulture, read Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax.” Landscape/horticulture technology students Aaron A. Sledge Jr., of Pittsburgh, and Gabriela J. Grandy, of Belleville – both enrolled in the major’s plant production emphasis – worked with the children in potting plants, and showing them the greenhouse and hydroponics. “Even though it was a wet day, we were able to work through the raindrops to get the tree planted and enjoy some of the flowering trees in the arboretum,” Bower said. “The kids didn’t even mind getting a little muddy.”
Photos provided

Penn College Retains National ‘Tree Campus’ Designation

Partners in Penn College's ongoing status as a national Tree Campus mark the designation outside the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, home to the institution's landscape/horticulture technology and forest technology majors. From left are Don J. Luke, director of facilities operations; Justin W. Beishline, assistant dean of transportation and natural resources technologies; Andrea L. Mull, horticulturist/grounds and motorpool supervisor; Carl J. Bower Jr., assistant professor of horticulture; and Andrew Bartholomay, assistant professor of forestry.

For the third consecutive year, Pennsylvania College of Technology has been honored with Tree Campus USA recognition for effective forest management and for engaging employees and students in conservation goals.

The national program was created by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor educational institutions for their commitment to trees and for helping to provide solutions for the global challenges to air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, and energy use.

Penn College earned the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards: maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and a student service-learning project.

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SkillsUSA Competitors Strike Gold; 21 Students Headed to Nationals

SkillsUSA Pennsylvania

Nearly all 27 members of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s SkillsUSA team – 21 of them advancing to the 54th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky – earned medals during recent state competition.

The competitors represent majors across four of Penn College’s academic schools, and the theme for the April 18-20 Pennsylvania Leadership and Skills Conference in Hershey couldn’t have been more fitting for students gaining career-making skills in hands-on fashion: “Champions at Work: Job-Ready, Day One.”

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Last updated April 24, 2018 | Posted in Architectural Technology, Automated Manufacturing & Machining, Aviation, Baking, Pastry & Culinary Arts, Building Construction, Business & Hospitality, Construction & Design Technologies, Electrical, Engineering Design Technology, Faculty & Staff, Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning, Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, Information Technology, Plastics & Polymer, Students, Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies, Welding | Leave a comment

Spring Car Show Pays Tribute, Renews Tradition

PCMA members display their Autocross Pontiac Fiero.

Inventive student-made trophies include an award in memory of Larry B. Leavitt, who died in January after 20 years as an automotive faculty member.

Members of the college's Diesel Performance Club offer up a work-in-progress: a 1959 Mack B model with triple turbochargers.

Loren R. Bruckhart, collision repair instructor and department head, with his Dodge Charger

A student-entered "Rat Rod"

The sun shone on Saturday’s Spring Car Show, sponsored by the Penn College Motorsports Association and Penn College Classic Cruisers. Proceeds from the third annual event, held on the Carl Building Technologies Center parking lot, benefited both clubs and the American Cancer Society.
Photos by Brett A. Reasner, dean of transportation and natural resources technologies

Andrew J. Bucher Named ‘Student of the Month’ at Penn College

Andrew J. Bucher

Andrew J. Bucher, scheduled to graduate in May with an associate degree in heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis, has been selected as the March “Student of the Month” at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Considered by his nominator as a high-quality candidate for the honor due to his dedication, involvement and impact on the Penn College campus and community, the Manheim resident “has always been passionate about getting involved on campus and being a role model for his peers.”

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Local College Students Earn ROTC Scholarships, Contracts

Bald Eagle Battalion Army ROTC held a contracting ceremony April 3 at Penn College. From left are: Master Sgt. Steven Kowatch, senior military science instructor, Lock Haven University; Cadet Austin S. Weinrich, Jenkintown; Cadet Kaitlyn Barmore, Succasunna, N.J.; Cadet Casey A. Curtin, Berwick; Cadet Hayden N. Beiter, Williamsport; Cadet Jordan H. Murray, Chambersburg; Cadet Samuel D. Pollock, Wrightsville; Cadet Christopher T. Craig II, Rixford; Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour; and Maj. Jonathon M. Britton, professor of military science, Lock Haven University. Beiter, Craig, Curtin, Murray and Weinrich are Penn College students. Barmore and Pollock are students at Lycoming College.

Five Army ROTC cadets from Pennsylvania College of Technology and two from Lycoming College have been rewarded with scholarships and commissioning contracts for their dedication and perseverance.

Penn College scholarship recipients are residential construction technology and management: building construction technology concentration majors Hayden N. Beiter, of Williamsport, Jordan H. Murray, of Chambersburg, and Austin S. Weinrich, of Jenkintown; and plastics and polymer technology major Casey A. Curtin, of Berwick.

Christopher T. Craig II, an automotive technology management major from Rixford, earned a commissioning contract.

The scholarships cover all college expenses and provide a monthly stipend. The contracts include a stipend and funding for a portion of college costs. The scholarships and contracts both lead to a cadet’s commissioning as a second lieutenant upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree.

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The Sky’s No Limit

Faculty member Michael R. Robison soars above the Bald Eagle Ridge in a German-built glider.

From the Spring 2018 Penn College Magazine: Using the power of the atmosphere, glider pilot Michael R. Robison, a Penn College aviation instructor, soars among world-class competitors. Read “The Sky’s No Limit.”

Penn College Students Vie at National Horticulture Competition

Representing Penn College in a recent national landscape competition are (from left) Trevor C. Gagliano, Hughesville; Jacob R. Courtley, Ardara; Griffin T. Fulton, Mertztown; Bryce P. Thompson, Enola; Michael S. Shreiner, Wayne; Timothy J. Dunker, Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J.; Adriana S. Lee, Williamsport; Aaron A. Sledge Jr., Pittsburgh; faculty member Carl J. Bower Jr.; Kyle J. Schatz, Saint Marys; and alumnus Ronald A. Burger.

Four Pennsylvania College of Technology horticulture students were among the top finishers in their five respective categories during the 42nd annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition held recently in Graham, North Carolina.

Michael S. Shreiner, of Wayne, placed eighth out of 51 competitors in Skid Steer Loader Operation; Aaron A. Sledge Jr., of Pittsburgh, finished ninth among 76 participants in Interior Plant Identification and 12th of 76 in Flower and Foliage Identification; Shreiner and Jacob R. Courtley, of Ardara, were 10th among 32 teams in Arboriculture Techniques; and Griffin T. Fulton, of Mertztown, was 14th of 47 in Exterior Landscape Design.

The students were among nine Penn College landscape/horticulture technology majors that journeyed to the event, co-sponsored by the National Association of Landscape Professionals and held March 14-17 at Alamance Community College.

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Aviation Students Awarded International Helicopter Scholarships

Aviation maintenance technology majors Samuel J. Pham (left), of Camp Hill, and Christopher J. Carreiro, of Lyndhurst, N.J., have been awarded Helicopter Association International scholarships.

Two Pennsylvania College of Technology students were among only seven selected internationally to receive a Bill Sanderson Aviation Maintenance Technology Scholarship from Helicopter Association International’s Technical Committee.

Samuel J. Pham, of Camp Hill, and Christopher J. Carreiro, of Lyndhurst, New Jersey, juniors in the college’s four-year aviation maintenance technology major, were recently awarded first- and second-place scholarships, respectively, that provide a tuition waiver for a helicopter manufacturer training school and a stipend to offset expenses.

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Vintage Vehicle Makes History as Show’s First Collegiate Winner

Owner Patricia B. Swigart (left) is among those enjoying a ride with driver Luke C. Miller across the grounds of the illustrious Amelia Island event.

A 1908 Studebaker electric car, owned by the William E. Swigart Jr. Automobile Museum in Huntingdon and restored at Pennsylvania College of Technology, was recognized with an award at Florida’s prestigious Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance earlier this month – the first student project ever judged at the renowned show.

Affectionately known as “Tommy,” the vehicle was one of a pair that shuttled federal legislators to and from the U.S. Capitol shortly after the turn of the 20th century. It was honored with an Amelia Award in the Horseless Carriage (Electric) category, coinciding with the show’s celebration of a technology that has re-emerged in today’s automobiles.

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Pennsylvania College of Technology is a special mission affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University