Honors Students Present Papers at Penn College Symposium
Published 05.21.2007
Pennsylvania College of Technology's first Honors Program Symposium a forum for high-achieving students to share research performed under the tutelage of faculty members they selected recently was held in the college's Thompson Professional Development Center.
Micah A. Metzel, a diesel technology/technology management major from Dallastown, presented a paper, "Biodiesel: A Technician's Perspective." His faculty adviser was David C. Johnson, instructor of diesel equipment technology in the college's School of Natural Resources Management.
"A Look at Modern Feminist Pedagogy in the Business Classroom" was offered by Monika K. Weader, a business administration: management major from Montoursville. She was mentored by Irwin H. Siegel, professor of business administration/business law in the School of Business and Computer Technologies.
Benjamin W. Thompson, an aviation maintenance technology student from Conestoga, offered "Composites: Evolution Through the Years and Beyond," prepared under the advisement of Walter V. Gower, assistant professor of aviation in the School of Transportation Technology.
The event was the culmination of the college's Honors Program, which was begun in 2005 and comprises four elements: a colloquia series, service project, study abroad and the symposium presentation. The students' theme was "The Maritime World," and the colloquia series was conducted by Thomas E. Ask, associate professor of HVAC technology/mechanical refrigeration and design (and program coordinator).
Service projects ranged from conducting a children's choir to volunteering at a Boy Scout food drive; the study-abroad program included preparatory readings and travel to Sweden and Latvia for an up-close focus on boat-building and other maritime elements of those countries.
In addition to Ask's involvement and advice from their chosen faculty members, the students were trained in symposium presentations by Mark A. Paternostro, associate vice president for academic services.
For more on Penn College's Honors Program, visit online .