Tuesday, April 28, 2026
photos by Jennifer A. Cline, college editor
John G. Canevari, of Mechanicsburg, smooths concrete.
Students in Concrete Construction classes have spent the semester practicing their craft through real-world challenges – meanwhile helping the college and the community.
Under the direction of Franklin H. Reber, instructor of building construction technology, and Joe F. DiBucci, instructor of building construction technology: concrete and masonry, students poured sidewalks at the college’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center.
To close out the semester, DiBucci’s class then turned its attention to the Lycoming County Veterans Memorial Park, where the class dug out several grass areas between the park’s monuments and commemorative bricks, and poured concrete. Additional bricks will eventually be laid on top of their work.
Since the park’s first monument, a Submarine Memorial, was dedicated in 1992, its scope has continued to expand – including the addition of a Navy A-6 Intruder jet donated to the college’s aviation program in 1996 and given to the park in 2020. Penn College concrete and masonry classes have been helping the park’s commission to achieve its vision since 2018.
The commission has honored their contributions in various ways, including listing “Penn College Students” among its honorary members.
Students (from left) Kahleem Spencer, of Philadelphia; Camryn Scott, of Philadelphia; and Brady M. Mikita, of Phoenixville, finish digging grass from their work area at the Lycoming County Veterans Memorial Park before laying stone and adding concrete forms.
Students pause from their work setting forms. From left: Jake P. Rosler, of Fell Township; Johnangelo Salamone, of Perkiomenville; Paul LeBow, of Chester, New Jersey; Jalen Cintron, of Lancaster.
LeBow drills a hole in existing concrete to add rebar.
Students work among the park’s monuments.
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