Thursday, January 9, 2025
Photos by Rob Hinkal, social media specialist, and Jennifer A. Cine, writer/magazine editor
Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity and Penn College representatives gather Thursday to lower a flag and observe a moment of silence in memory of President Jimmy Carter, a Habitat supporter. A banner shares a quote from Carter. The Habitat home, at 508 Fifth Ave., is largely being built by Penn College students. From left: Angela Hakes, office assistant to the School of Engineering Technologies; building construction technology instructors Darin Jennings, Barney Kahn and Matthew Francis; Bradley Webb, dean of engineering technologies; Matt Deming, lumberyard, equipment repair & carpentry attendant; Scott Bierly, instructor of building construction technology; Bob Robinson, executive director of Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity; Ellyn Lester, assistant dean of construction & architectural technologies; Garret Graff, assistant professor of building construction technology; Andy Hamelly, Habitat construction director; Jaclyn Gilbert, Habitat program manager; and volunteers Mike Mitchell and Max Mitchell.
Pennsylvania College of Technology and Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity joined on Thursday at the site of a Habitat home to observe the national day of mourning for President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at 100 years old.
The nonprofits, working together to build a three-bedroom home at 508 Fifth Ave., lowered a U.S. flag at the building site in memory of the late president. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were longtime Habitat for Humanity volunteers, leading the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project for over 35 years.
“Habitat has successfully removed the stigma of charity by substituting it with a sense of partnership,” Carter once said.
During Thursday’s national day of mourning for late President Jimmy Carter, Garret L. Graff, assistant professor of building construction technology, lowers the flag on a Habitat for Humanity home largely being built by Penn College students.
“President and Mrs. Carter’s legacy will be felt throughout the Habitat community,” said Bob Robinson, executive director of Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity. “Together, they worked alongside over 108,100 volunteers who built, renovated or repaired more than 4,447 homes in 14 countries, all while raising awareness of the critical need for affordable housing. As we continue to tackle this critical social issue, we look forward to more people embracing the Carters’ commitment to social justice and basic human rights.”
The Fifth Avenue home is being built primarily by Penn College students under the direction of faculty and Habitat staff.
“We are honored to pay homage to the memory of President Carter, who valued the importance of home ownership, which is at the heart of our residential construction programs,” said Ellyn A. Lester, assistant dean of construction and architectural technologies. “The sense of partnership he demonstrated through his work with Habitat for Humanity is exactly what we’re accomplishing with Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity in this project.”
A banner added to the building site shares a quote from Carter, who, along with his wife, Rosalynn, was a champion for affordable, decent housing for all. Over more than 35 years, the Carters worked alongside nearly 104,000 volunteers to build, renovate and repair 4,390 homes through Habitat for Humanity.
Ground for the Penn College Build was broken in September, and by the conclusion of the Fall 2024 semester, students had practiced site layout, heavy construction equipment operations, concrete construction, masonry construction and framing, ending the semester with a fully enclosed structure. Habitat staff installed underground plumbing, and Penn College General Services staff have provided support.
“The 508 Fifth Avenue project house showcases the unique connections of education, service and real-world impact,” said Garret L. Graff, assistant professor of building construction technology and the college’s construction supervisor for the build. “By working on this home with Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers, Penn College students aren’t just developing technical expertise: They’re learning the value of teamwork, resilience and contributing to something larger than themselves. The finished home will stand as a testament to their hard work and the transformative power of community partnerships.”
Student work is set to continue throughout the spring semester and in the 2025-26 academic year, ultimately providing invaluable experience to students in at least six Penn College majors – from architecture to heavy construction equipment technology, and from building construction to electrical construction – and providing an affordable home for a family in need.
For more about Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity, call 570-322-2515.
To learn more about Penn College’s building and construction majors, call 570-327-4520. For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email Admissions or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
The half-staff flag is caught by the morning’s chilly breeze.
Students install roof trusses at the home in mid-November. Photo courtesy of Garret L. Graff, assistant professor of building construction technology.
A student connects pieces for the fascia.
Students guide the first truss into place.
Students install sheathing. Photo courtesy of Darin M. Jennings, instructor of building construction technology.
Jack T. Ennis (left), a concrete science technology student from Sayre; Dawson J. Schoffstall (center), a building construction technology student from of Tower City; and Jen L. Molter, a residential construction technology & management student from Palmyra, ready their rakes for the slab pour.
Students level the slab.
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