Caterpillar Foundation, Dealers Contribute $127,000 to Penn College
Published 09.25.2002
The Caterpillar Excellence Fund a partnership among the Caterpillar Foundation, participating dealers and schools has benefited Pennsylvania College of Technology once again with contributions totaling $127,000 for the College's Diesel Equipment Technology programs.
The Caterpillar Foundation contributed $25,000, and six regional dealerships donated shares of $17,000 each to assist the programs in the 2002-03 academic year.
The participating dealers are: Alban Tractor Co. Inc., Baltimore; Beckwith Machinery Co., Murrysville; Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Inc., Harrisburg; Giles & Ransome, Bensalem; Foley Inc., Piscataway, N.J.; and H.O. Penn Machinery Co. Inc., Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
This is the eighth year that Penn College has been awarded the Caterpillar funds. Including the previous years' donations, the total funding received is approximately $814,000.
"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," said 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.
The contribution will fund equipment purchases in Penn College's Heavy Construction Equipment and Diesel Technology programs. In addition, the funds allow faculty to attend Caterpillar-sponsored training.
The Heavy Construction Equipment and Diesel Technology majors are based at the College's Schneebeli Earth Science Center near Allenwood. The majors have an active advisory board of industry professionals, as well as an active student club that participates in and hosts a variety of contests aimed at building students' skills and excitement for the career field.
For more information about Penn College's School of Natural Resources Management, visit on the Web, or call (570) 320-8038.