New Penn College Video Highlights Building Automation Major

Published 12.11.2012

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The burgeoning career field of building automation technology is explored in the latest video added to Pennsylvania College of Technology’s YouTube Channel.

The three-minute video highlights the bachelor-degree major through the eyes of Adam J. Yoder, of Allensville, a 2011 Penn College graduate.

Throughout the video, Yoder describes his passion for building automation technology, as well as the challenges and rewards of the field. The video chronicles Yoder’s senior project – an energy audit of the Community Arts Center, a wholly owned subsidiary of Penn College.



Adam J. YoderYoder evaluated the performing arts center’s electrical and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; identified energy conservation measures; and recommended measures to improve the facility’s energy efficiency.

Building automation students complete two years of applied technology curriculum in HVAC, electrical or electronics areas prior to acceptance into the bachelor-degree major. The final two years consist of advanced course work in building automation and a three-month internship.

The major emphasizes the application of the fundamentals of mechanical systems, control system theory and the use of computer methods to control and integrate building operations in a productive, safe and efficient manner.

Career options for graduates range from remote site operations supervisor to automation design engineer. Building automation at Penn College is considered a “green” major with career options available in the renewable energy sector.

Yoder is employed as a service energy analyst for Honeywell Building Solutions in Albany, N.Y. He supplies engineering support for Honeywell energy retrofit projects in the northern tier of Pennsylvania, upstate New York and Vermont.

A Dean’s List student at Penn College, Yoder was very active on campus, serving as a Presidential Student Ambassador and president of the Student Government Association. At graduation, Yoder received the prestigious President’s Award, given for outstanding leadership and service to the college. He was also the student speaker for his commencement ceremony.

The Penn College YouTube Channel has collected more than 350,000 video views since debuting in 2009. The channel offers student and alumni profiles, news items, and unique college stories. It also includes full-length episodes of the college’s award-winning, career-awareness public television series, “degrees that work.tv.”

To learn more about the building automation technology major and other academic programs offered by the School of Construction and Design Technologies at Penn College, call 570-327-4518.

For more about Penn College, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.