Caterpillar Awards Monies to Penn College
Published 03.25.1999
Pennsylvania College of Technology has again benefited from the Caterpillar Excellence Fund, a partnership between the Caterpillar Foundation, participating dealers and schools.
For the 1998-99 academic year, a total of $118,000 has been awarded to the Williamsport educational institution. The Caterpillar Foundation contributed $50,000, with four dealers contributing equal shares of the remaining amount. The participating dealers are: Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co., Inc., with company headquarters in Harrisburg; Giles & Ransome, based in Bensalem; Alban Tractor Co., Inc., of Baltimore; and Beckwith Machinery Co., of Pittsburgh.
This is the fifth year the College has been awarded the CAT monies. Including the previous years' donations, the funding received now totals approximately $430,000.
"The Penn College partnership with Caterpillar Inc. and regional dealers is an outstanding example of business and education working together to develop the skills of our youth who will become the foundation of our future workforce," stated Dr. Wayne R. Longbrake, dean of Penn College's School of Natural Resources Management. "The partnership is truly a benefit to the students at Penn College."
The primary objective of the Caterpillar Excellence Fund is to increase the pool of qualified service technicians. Funds are utilized to recruit and entice excellent students and retain them through scholarships. Monies also benefit equipment acquisitions in Penn College's heavy construction equipment and diesel technology programs. In addition, funds are available for faculty to attend CAT training.
Penn College's heavy construction equipment and diesel technology majors are based at the College's Schneebeli Earth Science Center, located south of Williamsport near Allenwood. The majors have an active advisory board of industry professionals as well as an active student club which participates in and hosts a variety of contests aimed at building students' skills and excitement for the career field.