Heavy Equipment Rodeo Among Highlights of Spring Visitation Day

About 50 students from Pennsylvania College of Technology's Service and Operation of Heavy Equipment Association, along with competitors from area vocational-technical schools, will take part in a number of skill events during the annual Heavy Equipment Rodeo at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center on Saturday, March 19.

The rodeo a perennial favorite for participants and spectators alike is among the highlights of Penn College's Spring Visitation Day, which will offer campus tours, admissions and financial-aid information, and other activities from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free bus transportation for the 10-mile trip between the Earth Science Center and the College's main campus will be available to Visitation Day attendees throughout the event.

Teams have until Monday, March 14, to register for the rodeo, in which participants show the dexterous side of earth-moving equipment.

Competitors will be timed in the following events:

• Egg pickup using a John Deere backhoe
• A softball activity using a Caterpillar backhoe
• A bowling-ball activity using a Caterpillar excavator
• Maneuvering a tennis ball onto a cone using a Volvo articulated wheel loader
• Pipe pickup using a Bobcat skid-steer

"Rodeo participation allows students to demonstrate their expertise in equipment operation, while giving those studying to be technicians the opportunity to make any 'emergency repairs' necessary," said Dr. Mary A. Sullivan, assistant dean of natural resources management. "It's a fun event that students, parents and prospects enjoy and benefit from."

Equipment for the rodeo is donated by industry partners of Penn College and its School of Natural Resources Management: Allenwood Equipment Inc., Allenwood RR 1; Best Line Leasing Inc., Muncy; Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Inc., Watsontown; and Highway Equipment and Supply Co., Harrisburg.

The events will be judged by volunteers from the Heavy Construction Equipment Advisory Committee and their employees, many of whom are College alumni: Allenwood Equipment Inc.; Best Line Leasing Inc.; Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Inc.; the Clinton County Solid Waste Authority; Highway Equipment and Supply Co.; and Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., State College.

More information about Penn College's Spring Visitation Day is available here or by calling the Office of Admissions at 1-800-367-9222.