College Honored as Generous Host of '08 Automotive Conference

Pennsylvania College of Technology was recognized at the recent North American Council of Automotive Teachers conference for successfully (and magnanimously) hosting the organization's 35th annual event last year.

The commemorative trophy was presented at this year's conference held July 19-24 at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, N.C. to Dale E. Jaenke, assistant professor of automotive technology at Penn College. Jaenke was host for the 2008 conference, which was coordinated by Steve H. Wallace, the college's assistant dean of transportation technology.

"The NACAT 2008 conference was everything that we expected "¦and was financially successful," Dan Perrin, the organization's executive manager and vice president for conferences, said in presenting the award.

Three years in the planning, last summer's event marked NACAT's return to Penn College for the first time since the organization's 25th anniversary conference in July 1998 and Perrin said an invitation already has been extended for a 2018 comeback.

Revenue from the conference, money that is shared with the host school, largely funds NACAT operations. Recognizing that the organization could better serve its members with additional funds, Penn College historically has donated its portion "a magnificent gesture (that has) furthered the evolution of both the association and the NACAT Education Foundation," Perrin said.

Netproceeds for last year were "in excess of $48,000 and give NACAT another opportunity to further its goal of helping automotive educators be the best they can for their programs and their students," he said. "Every member of NACAT will benefit through their generosity."

More than 91 percent of conference attendees who responded to an association survey found the 2008 conference well-organized, and more than 81 percent were complimentary of Penn College's main campus in Williamsport. In comments solicited from participants, the institution's impressive facilities and helpful employees drew frequent mention.

"Nothing that I said or nothing that I could say adequately describes the quality of the Penn College conferences, the generosity of our hosts and the example they provided to our members of what an automotive program should be," Perrin added.

For more information about the School of Transportation Technology, visit online or call 570-327-4516. For general information about Penn College, visit on the Web , e-mail or call toll-free 800-367-9222.