Two Penn College Students Awarded HVAC Industry Scholarships

Published 09.08.2009

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Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Student News

Two Pennsylvania College of Technology students have been awarded $2,000 scholarships from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.

Mark P. Hunsicker, of Lansdale, enrolled in the four-year heating, ventilation and air conditioning design technology major, and Stanley D. Petchulis, of Mar-Lin, in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology associate-degree curriculum, are among 16 winners of the Clifford H. "Ted" Rees Jr. Scholarship for the Fall 2009 semester.

The Rees Scholarship Foundation which awarded a total of $19,250 this semester and nearly $110,000 since 2003 was established to honor a former president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (a predecessor organization to AHRI) for his efforts to encourage HVACR manufacturers' support of stronger vocational- and technical-school education nationwide.

"By recognizing these deserving students enrolled in HVACR technical career programs, AHRI is helping the industry close a serious and growing skills gap in our country," AHRI President Stephen Yurek said. "These students have demonstrated drive, commitment and leadership to reach their educational goals and we are pleased to help them achieve their career potential."

The scholarship program is meant to bolster students' pursuit of higher education and careers as heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians. Scholarships are awarded to qualified students enrolled in an HVACR program at an accredited institution. Both of Penn College's related majors are accredited by the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Accreditation and endorsed by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America.

Selection criteria used by the review committee included academic performance, letters of recommendation, work history and a short essay.

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration equipment. Its 300-plus member companies account for more than 90 percent of the residential and commercial air conditioning, space heating, water heating and commercial refrigeration equipment manufactured and sold in North America.

For more information about majors in the School of Construction and Design Technologies, visit online or call 570-327-4518. For more information about Penn College, visit on the Web , e-mail or call toll-free 800-367-9222.