Ford - PCToday - Pennsylvania College of Technology

Automotive Centenarian Displayed for Transportation Students

Sept. 28, 2010 - 11:29 a.m.

Students in Penn College's School of Transportation Technology had the rare opportunity Tuesday to touch a piece of automotive history: a 1908 Ford Model K 6-40 "Gentleman's Roadster," which paid a visit to main campus on its return trip to the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey. Separated by 102 years (and about 6 feet) from the newest member of the school's instructional vehicle fleet – a 2011 Ford Mustang convertible – the Model K was displayed in the Ford ASSET lab in the Parkes Automotive Technology Center and in the collision repair area of College Avenue Labs. The automobile, estimated to draw $400,000 in today's market, sold for $2,800 in its day and was "guaranteed" to reach a speed of 60 mph. The visit is just the latest fruit of a beneficial relationship with AACA; students last year restored a 1965 Mustang for display at the museum and, this year, are working on a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Esprit on loan from the facility.

2011 Ford Mustang Latest Addition to Fleet of Instructional Vehicles

Sept. 20, 2010 - 4:37 p.m.

The Ford Motor Co. helped Penn College celebrate the dedication of its newly renovated and expanded Parkes Automotive Technology Center by providing the college with a new Ford Mustang. The 2011 Mustang GT Premium Edition convertible, valued at more than $40,000, was delivered in time for the dedication of the ATC – part of the college’s Stage X building program – on Sept. 10. Christopher H. Van Stavoren, assistant professor of automotive technology with Penn College’s Ford ASSET (Automotive Student Service Educational Training) program, said the Mustang offers many features that will be important in teaching students about a variety of modern automotive systems.

College ‘Redonates’ Ford Equipment in Outreach to High Schools

Dec. 4, 2008 - 1:14 p.m.

Some people might frown upon “regifting” around the holidays, but four Virginia high schools are grateful for a recent donation of automotive diagnostic equipment from Penn College’s School of Transportation Technology and the Ford Motor Co. Four Worldwide Diagnostic System analyzers were obtained and refurbished by Christopher H. Van Stavoren, an assistant professor of automotive technology in the college’s Ford ASSET program and a Northern Virginia native. John R. Cuprisin, an associate professor of automotive technology in the Ford ASSET program, then traveled to the Fairfax County Public Schools on Nov. 24-25 to deliver the WDS equipment.

High School Students to Compete in State Auto-Skills Competition

April 4, 2008 - 1:32 p.m.

The state’s top 20 high school automotive students will gather at Penn College next month for the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition to determine who will advance to the national finals this summer. The college will host the hands-on finale of Pennsylvania’s annual competition outside its Parkes Automotive Technology Center on May 15, when the 10 two-member teams of juniors and seniors will test their automotive knowledge and technical prowess and perhaps obtain the keys to high-demand careers in the automotive-repair industry.

Automotive Alumnus North America's Top Scorer on ASE Exam

Dec. 11, 2007 - 4:01 p.m.

An automotive graduate of Penn College has received the Technician of the Future award, sponsored by Mitchell 1 and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Colin N. Hoffard, of Willow Street, recognized for having the highest score in North America on the ASE exam, was presented with the honor during a Nov. 12 ceremony in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Career Day Held for High School Students

Oct. 19, 2007 - 3:58 p.m.

Nearly 1,350 ninth- through 12-graders (and 172 chaperones) from 38 area schools gathered on Penn College's campuses Friday for Career Day, which allows high school students to explore a wide variety of technical careers through hands-on activities, tours of facilities, and discussions with students and faculty. Among the day's varied sessions were "Ford Motor Co.: Automotive Technology in the 21st Century" (left photo) and "Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Energy for the Future."
( Photos by Jessica L. Tobias, student photographer)

Automotive Faculty Members Among Few to Fully Meet Standards

April 16, 2007 - 10:54 a.m.

Two members of Penn College’s automotive faculty are among a select few nationally to fully meet the Ford Motor Co.’s standards for its Automotive Student Service Educational Training program. The achievements of Christopher H. Van Stavoren, assistant professor of automotive technology, and John R. Cuprisin, associate professor of automotive technology – both allied with Penn College’s Ford ASSET associate-degree major – were honored in a letter from Jim Kelly, field technical specialist for Ford.