A donation from Ainsworth Inc. is benefitting students in Pennsylvania College of Technology’s heating, ventilation & air conditioning majors.
The company recently donated a lightly used Daikin 60-ton chiller – valued at $55,000 – to provide students with hands-on experience with the commercial chilled-water systems and equipment that are commonly found in large institutional and commercial facilities.
The equipment will be incorporated into the Mechanical Systems class and other laboratory and technical courses, allowing students to learn system operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, controls and performance analysis.
Jerry Mahonski (left), Williamsport branch manager for Ainsworth Inc., and Cody Day-Hamilton, lead/senior technician for the Williamsport branch, pose with the Daikin 60-ton chiller Ainsworth recently donated to Pennsylvania College of Technology’s heating, ventilation & air conditioning program. Both are graduates of the program.
Mechanical Systems is taken by students in the college’s bachelor’s degree in heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology; associate degree in heating, ventilation & air conditioning technology; and certificate in plumbing.
“We are extremely grateful to Ainsworth for this generous donation,” said Jason W. Killinger, associate professor of HVAC technology. “This Daikin chiller will provide over 230 HVAC students each year with access to commercial-grade equipment and real-world learning experiences that will make them even more valuable in this growing industry.
“Students will gain a deeper understanding of both comfort cooling and process cooling applications while developing critical troubleshooting, system operation and pipefitting skills used in commercial construction and HVAC projects,” he continued. “Opportunities to work with equipment of this size and complexity help bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace. Overall, this donation further galvanizes the student learning experience and reinforces our commitment to providing hands-on, industry-focused education that prepares graduates for successful careers in the HVAC field.”
The donation was coordinated through Penn College heating, ventilation & air conditioning technology alumni and Ainsworth employees Jerry Mahonski ’87, Ainsworth’s Williamsport branch manager, and Cody Day-Hamilton ’08, lead/senior technician for the Williamsport branch. Mahonski serves on the college’s HVAC Technology Advisory Committee, and Day-Hamilton is set to join the committee this fall.
“Their continued support demonstrates the value our alumni place on helping current students gain access to industry-relevant equipment and experiences,” Killinger said.
The donation places Ainsworth in the Heritage Society ($50,000-$99,999) on the college’s Donor Wall.
Ainsworth Inc. is a subsidiary of GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc. It provides commercial cleaning, mechanical, HVAC, electrical, building technology and facility services across Canada and the United States.
For more information about Penn College’s heating, ventilation & air conditioning majors, call 570-327-4520.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions & Secondary Partnerships Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
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