Construction Specialties’ generosity expands college partnership

Published 10.21.2022

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Construction Specialties, a New Jersey-based building products manufacturer with four local operations in eastern Lycoming County, has appreciably broadened its collaboration with Pennsylvania College of Technology.

The company, a participant in Penn College’s Corporate Tomorrow Makers program, has established an endowed scholarship and sponsored three Pre-College Programs this past summer.

Preference for the Construction Specialties Building the Future Scholarship, which will be awarded annually starting with the Fall 2022 semester, will be given to full-time students from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia and Texas who are pursuing a variety of degrees in the college’s School of Engineering Technologies. Scholarship awards are renewable for up to four years.

Affirming Construction Specialties' investment in Pennsylvania College of Technology are (from left) Chris S. Macdonald, the college's corporate relations officer; Ted Taylor, human resources business partner; Frank Probst, president and chief executive officer; Cole N. Lyons, of Evans City, a first-year welding student and initial recipient of the Construction Specialties Building the Future Scholarship; George Figueroa, vice president of people and culture; and Elizabeth A. Biddle, senior corporate relations director at Penn College.Eligible programs encompass two-year majors (machine tool technology, mechatronics technology, plastics & polymer technology, welding technology, metal fabrication technology, engineering CAD technology, architecture, and automated manufacturing technology) and four-year majors (architecture & sustainable design, Bachelor of Architecture, construction management, engineering design technology, and manufacturing engineering technology).

“Construction Specialties is pleased to partner with Penn College for scholarship and Pre-College Program sponsorship. The relationship with the college is vital to a successful workforce at CS, and we welcome the chance to impact students’ lives, helping them achieve their dreams, and promoting our brand,” said George Figueroa, vice president of people and culture. “Students who pursue these skilled-trades areas will see many career opportunities with Construction Specialties.”

The support for Pre-College Programs exposes high school students to potential careers in architecture, engineering and manufacturing. Two of the camps (Architecture Odyssey and Engineering) were held in mid-June; the third (a sold-out Thingamajigs Fabricators camp) was in July.

“We thank Construction Specialties for this generous investment in Penn College and our students,” said Elizabeth A. Biddle, the college’s senior corporate relations director.

“The scholarship showcases the commitment Construction Specialties has to education, the trades and degree pathways that produce skilled professionals that make a difference in their workplaces and in their communities,” she added. “Supporting the Pre-College programs further demonstrates the company’s investment in career development experiences that help high school students better understand opportunities available to them in these pathways.”

The latest examples add to decades of support for the college in such projects as PA Build My Future, supplying Acrovyn wall coverings and a material swap that benefited the welding program. Construction Specialties also has a long-standing relationship with Workforce Development for training and incumbent worker skill development.

For more information about giving opportunities, email the College Relations Office or call 866-GIVE-2-PC (866-448-3272).

For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.