Suburban Contractors Association Establishes Scholarship

A southeast Pennsylvania organization is establishing a scholarship with Pennsylvania College of Technology to help ensure the future availability of skilled diesel and heavy-construction-equipment technicians.

The Suburban Contractors Association Endowed Scholarship will be part of Penn College's School of Natural Resources Management Endowed Scholarship Fund.

First preference for awards from the new scholarship will be to family members and/or employees of the association's member companies who are enrolled in the Heavy Construction Equipment Technology or Diesel Technology associate-degree programs at Penn College, and who reside in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania; New Castle County, Delaware; or Burlington, Camden, Gloucester or Salem counties in New Jersey. Second preference will be for any student enrolled in Penn College's Heavy Construction Equipment Technology or Diesel Technology programs.

Formed in 1961, the Broomall-based Suburban Contractors Association includes 230 active and associate members. The association works to promote and unify the construction industry and to encourage cordial and cooperative relations with customers. It also undertakes such activities as coordinating the use of heavy equipment so that it will be readily available and easily accessible for civil defense.

The majority of the active members work in excavation, heavy highway construction, paving, concrete, landscaping and utility construction. Associate members are materials-and-equipment suppliers and related businesses.

Barry R. Stiger, Penn College's vice president for institutional advancement, said the College is pleased to have the association's support.

"It's exciting to partner with the SCA," he said, "and, most importantly, students will receive scholarship assistance they need to reach their educational and professional goals."

Ray Castaldi, the association's executive director, echoed Stiger's enthusiasm for the partnership.

"It is a pleasure working with professionals in education," Castaldi said. "I'm looking forward to a great relationship with Penn College."

Donald Taylor, the association's board secretary and vice president of TechniVate, agreed with Castaldi, saying "Penn College is a great source for properly trained and skilled employees for the construction industry."

Penn College's School of Natural Resources Management Endowed Scholarship Fund targets students in the Diesel Technology, Heavy Construction Equipment Technology, Forest Technology, Floral Design/Interior Plantscape, Landscape/Nursery Technology, Environmental Technology, and Electrical Power Generation Technology programs.

All students receiving awards from the School of Natural Resources Endowed Scholarship Fund will be required to participate in the Student Success Program, a special noncredit program offered at the College's Earth Science Center that is designed to enhance students' academic success and strengthen their interpersonal and professional skills.

To apply for the scholarships, call Penn College's Financial Aid office toll-free at 1-800-367-9222, or apply online.

Penn College is seeking contributions to assist students through the School of Natural Resources Management Endowed Scholarship fund. For more information, contact the Penn College Foundation, One College Avenue, Williamsport, PA, 17701-5799; call (570) 320-8020; or call toll-free 1-866-GIVE2PC. To receive more information and/or make a gift online using a credit card, visit on the Web.