Berks CTC team tops Penn College’s diesel competition

Twenty-eight participants from nearly a dozen career and technical education centers vied for glory in the diesel competition at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center, representing the readily attainable possibilities that await those pursuing an applied technology education.

“In the race for success, this year’s CTC students took the lead – combining expertise, innovation and a passion for all things diesel,” said Chris S. Weaver, assistant professor of diesel equipment technology, who chaired the Dec. 8-9 event. “Contestants seemed to have a passion for excellence, as well as the drive and determination for victory. From the CTC to the winners’ podium, these young men and women redefined excellence, one powerful station at a time.”

Berks Career & Technology Center (heavy equipment) took home top team honors and a $5,000 training certificate from Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Inc. at Pennsylvania College of Technology's diesel competition on Dec. 8-9. From left are Cleveland Brothers' Brian Clayton and Randy Fetterolf; team members Ethan Dierolf and Cristofer J. Cote; Chris S. Weaver, assistant professor of diesel equipment technology at Penn College; team member Brayden Richard; and Brad R. Conklin, instructor of diesel equipment technology at the college.

Berks Career & Technology Center (heavy equipment) won first place overall and received $5,000 in training funds courtesy of Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Inc. Bucks County Technical High School finished second, and Berks Career & Technology Center (diesel) finished third.

The top three individual students and the Penn College scholarship offers attached to their winning performances are:

First – Evan Bauer, Bucks County Technical High School; $10,000 scholarship
Second – Ryan D. Ciccocioppo, Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center; $7,500 scholarship
Third – Cristofer J. Cote, Berks Career & Technology Center (heavy equipment); $5,000 scholarship

Fourth through 28th place will each receive a $1,000 scholarship should they choose to continue their education at Penn College.

The top three individual winners in Pennsylvania College of Technology's recent diesel competition are (from left) Cristofer J. Cote, Berks Career & Technology Center (heavy equipment), third place; Ryan D. Ciccocioppo, Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center, second place; and Evan Bauer, Bucks County Technical High School, first place.

The link between the event and the industry it represents was evident during dinner on the eve of competition, as Justin W. Beishline, assistant dean of diesel technology and natural resources, welcomed competitors, families and sponsors to dinner on the college’s main campus.

“Penn College produces graduates who are quality technicians, and, still, the employers need more,” he told them. “We meet with diesel employers on a regular basis, and they all have the same needs for qualified technicians. The employers often ask us what we can do, or if they can help us to recruit more students. In response, we worked together to create this diesel competition for you to showcase your skills.

“Throughout this event, we hope you will be encouraged by how valuable your CTC education is and discover how a Penn College education can open countless doors to viable career choices throughout the diesel industry.”

The student speaker at Friday’s banquet was Aidan F. Nunan, of Boyertown, who logged top three finishes in the 2021 and 2022 competitions, and who just completed his first semester in Penn College’s electric power generation technology: diesel emphasis major.

A Friday night banquet in Penn College's Thompson Professional Development Center kicks off the competition in style. (Photo provided)

“As a prior competitor, I know what it’s like to be in those seats,” he said. “Don’t be too worried about it. Just try and stay focused and have fun but pay attention to the Earth Science Center as I did. If I hadn’t looked at all the different labs, I may not have seen electric power generation.”

In addition to what he’s learned in just 16 weeks of Fall 2023 classes, he said, he has been impressed by students’ frequent exposure to visiting employers. One of those encounters led to a paid internship with Foley CAT over winter break.

“The best thing about Penn College so far has been the atmosphere,” he added. “I was expecting something like ‘13th grade’ when I came here, but it is not at all like that. Your classes turn out just like family and your instructors are just like good friends. The atmosphere here is like nothing I have experienced before, and I hope you will all get to experience it tomorrow.”

Also addressing the crowd were Penn College President Michael J. Reed and Bradley M. Webb, dean of engineering technologies.

“In between competitions, I encourage you to explore, ask questions and envision your future,” Webb told the CTC students. “You are shaping that future and building your legacy toward rewarding and sustainable careers.

“The possibilities are truly quite endless when you choose Penn College, and when we work together. Our world needs us – all of us – to keep filling the skills gap and transforming tomorrow.”

In addition to schools already mentioned, Pennsylvania participants were Adams County Technical Institute, Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School, North Montco Technical Career Center, Northern Tier Career Center and SUN Area Technical Institute. A past out-of-state competitor – the Center of Applied Technology in Maryland – also fielded a team.

The students qualified for competition through a faculty-prepared written exam in advance, then, at the Earth Science Center south of Williamsport, rotated among stations where proficiency – in such areas as basic electricity, commercial truck steering and mobile refrigeration – was rewarded with first, second and third prizes provided by industry sponsors.

“The synergy between industry knowledge and student ambition is what propels our diesel competition to new heights, and a huge ‘thank you’ has to go out to our industry partners for bridging this gap,” Weaver said. “The guidance and support of those mentors and sponsors turbocharges our contestants’ success.”

Competition sponsors
Allan Myers, Bergey’s Inc., Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Inc., Foley Inc., Kenworth of Pennsylvania, Komatsu, Motor Truck Thermo King and Pennsy Supply Inc.

Skills sponsors
Daimler Truck North America, Groff Tractor & Equipment, Heidelberg Materials, Hunter Truck, James D. Morrissey Inc., Penske Truck Leasing and Vulcan Materials Co.

Station sponsors
Earthborne Inc., FedEx, Imperial Supplies, Watsontown Trucking Co. and XPO.

In addition to those generous sponsors, a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation provided hotel rooms and a food allowance for competitors. Under that funding, the college is smoothing the pathway for CTC students seeking postsecondary certification or an associate degree in diesel technology.

For more about diesel-related majors in Penn College’s School of Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.

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

Under the judge's scrutiny, a girl competes in the Precision Measuring of Engine Components category.

Focusing on fasteners

A photographer's overview of a contestant under pressure

An industry volunteer engagingly evaluates a competitor's knowledge of Basic Electricity.

From a picturesque treeside vantage, Dustin Schmerge, fleet maintenance manager at FedEx Freight, judges the Precision Measuring of Engine Components competition.

Clipboard in hand, a student confidently tackles Electrical Troubleshooting of a Mobile Refrigeration Unit.

Guided by the numbers ...

... a competitor identifies the parts of an engine.

A hands-on participant, at home in the diesel lab

Inspiration by osmosis? The towering presence of a treasured corporate partner provides the backdrop for a contestant immersed in a Power Generator Parts Search.

A Komatsu excavator on loan from Anderson Equipment dominates this glimpse of the action.

The wide-open diesel lab easily accommodates the sprawl of competition.

Diesel Performance Club members sell an array of items. From left are Marcayla M. Lutzkanin, Cristian Olivieri, TJ Buck and Ryan J. Baldwin.

With welcoming smiles and sparkling lights, members of the S&O club stand ready to answer questions and promote their organization. From left: Madison B. Anders, Jake M. Spinosa and Morgan T. Bartholomew.

Ryan J. Dierssen, of Thornwood, New York, is a heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis student, and one of several students who did not rush home after finals but stayed to help out with the big event.

Gathered 'round Joseph C. Straw (fourth from left), who retired as a full-time faculty but still teaches part time, are (from left): Morgan T. Bartholomew, Madison B. Anders, Michael J. Sormilic, Jake M. Spinosa and Andrew Venema. Sormilic graduated in May with degrees in electric power generation technology: diesel emphasis and building automation engineering technology and is working as a field technician for Day Automation, based out of New Paltz, N.Y.

Justin W. Beishline, assistant dean of diesel technology and natural resources, and Marci M. Hessert, his elfin office assistant, are sequestered during the official tally of scores.

Family members and other fans while away the hours on the bleachers – in conversation, on phones, lunching (thanks to the Nature's Cove dining unit) – all within sight of a tree with personality-plus.

The evergreen features such ornamental celebrities as retiree Straw ...

... Carl J. Bower Jr., a member of the horticulture faculty ...

... and Willow, a morale-boosting pup who occasionally visits the ESC with her human, Wyatt C. Forest, laboratory assistant for horticulture.

A spellbound crowd listens as Brad R. Conklin, instructor of diesel equipment technology, prepares to announce the winners.

The Service Technicians & Operators' Association donated a 30-inch, five-drawer mechanic’s cart. Club President Jake M. Spinosa, enrolled in heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis, gives the winner a congratulatory handshake (and encourages him to come to Penn College where he’ll have a ready-made group of friends with home to hang out).