Penn College Honors Manufacturing Engineering Alumnus

Published 08.04.2018

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A manufacturing engineering technology graduate who is now a college professor received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Summer 2018 commencement ceremonies, held Aug. 4 at the Community Arts Center.

Mark A. Atwater, a 2007 graduate of Penn College and an associate professor of materials and manufacturing technology at Millersville University, was recognized for the noteworthy contributions he has made in his career field.



Mark A. Atwater, an associate professor of materials and manufacturing technology at Millersville University, was presented with a Distinguished Alumni Award by President Davie Jane Gilmour at Penn College’s Summer Commencement ceremony on Aug. 4.At Penn College, Atwater earned a Bachelor of Science in manufacturing engineering technology, an Associate of Applied Science in automated manufacturing technology and an Associate of Applied Science in toolmaking technology. He also earned a certificate in nanofabrication manufacturing technology, administered through Penn State. He went on to receive a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico and a doctorate in materials science and engineering from North Carolina State University.

Atwater joined the faculty at Millersville in 2012. He also serves as a guest researcher in lightweight and specialty metals for the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

He has written a textbook on materials and manufacturing that will be published this fall by McGraw-Hill Education, has researched and written more than 150 articles as a contributor to the website Engineering.com, and has had numerous articles published in professional and scholarly journals.

Atwater holds several patents and regularly presents at professional conferences. He has authored grant applications resulting in funding for numerous projects, including two National Science Foundation grants.

At Millersville, Atwater is engaged in a variety of ongoing university service from serving on numerous committees to acting as library liaison and faculty-athletic liaison for his academic department. He has also been involved in a range of community service, including activities at science fairs and outreach with student members of the Society of Manufacturing Engineering.

While at Penn College, Atwater’s achievements were profiled in the Winter 2005 issue of the college magazine and in a Summer 2005 episode of the former “degrees that work” TV series on public television.

Atwater is the son of Dennis and Judith Atwater, of Russell, and he resides in Quarryville with his wife, Cammie.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to those who have made significant contributions in their chosen fields, demonstrated the importance of their college education, participated in leadership roles within the community, and demonstrated a commitment to the college and community relations. For more, visit the Alumni Relations webpage.

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