A Hanover-based general contractor has donated a new concrete mixer to Pennsylvania College of Technology, equipment that enhances the educational experience for students attending classes in the Construction Masonry Building at the northwestern edge of main campus. The donation by Conewago Enterprises Inc. is a welcome gift to students and faculty in the college’s innovative two-year concrete science technology major.
Third-year architecture students created and, on Thursday, presented their final projects: physical mockups developed from the best-drawn wall sections created using SketchUp design software. "A great experience it was," said Rob A. Wozniak, associate professor of architecture, whose 18 students in his Detailing & Applications class (BSD 340) were divided into three teams.
In what could unsurprisingly become quite a popular event as Finals Week anxiety ramps up each semester, the ConCreate Design Club held its first "Smash House and Grill Out" just off the Carl Building Technologies Center parking lot from noon-5 p.m. Thursday. For a $5 donation, patrons could get a hot dog and one minute to smash the concrete-lab leftovers of their choosing. Among those yearend items were steps that could be smashed for prizes if wire mesh, rebar or a hammer were uncovered within.
Every now and then, we all need someone in our corner to remind us of our value. When Lizeth V. Reyes-Becerra has those moments, her thoughts turn to those who have tangibly shown their confidence in her tomorrow-making abilities. Reyes-Becerra, of Erie, earned an associate degree in May 2022 in building construction technology and is pursuing a bachelor's in residential construction technology & management.
Students in Joseph F. DiBucci's Concrete Construction class poured front and side porches Thursday at a Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity home being built at 1616 Scott St. More student involvement is expected as additional houses are built in that neighborhood, and Penn College is partnering with Habitat for a multiyear residential construction project on Fifth Avenue closer to campus.
Instructor Joseph F. DiBucci's Concrete Construction class converged Thursday on The Victorian House, itself a student undertaking more than a quarter-century ago, for a sidewalk improvement project. Aided by Penn College General Services, the crew poured concrete that will be stenciled and colored to look like brickwork.
Students in Matthew A. Francis' Construction Hand & Power Tools course are in the midst of replacing the circular benches around four Zelkova trees in front of the Klump Academic Center. "The years have taken their toll on the wood seating areas, and safety was a concern," said General Services' Chad L. Karstetter, horticulturist/grounds and motorpool manager. "We reached out to Matt and his BTC103 classes with an idea, and they accepted the challenge to revive that area. They are doing an awesome job."
A 2022 graduate of Penn College's two-year concrete science technology major returned to campus Tuesday with four other representatives of this year's PACA Emerging Leaders Academy cohort, meeting with current students about the vast variety of available careers. Madison L. Kistler, a quality control technician at New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. Inc., is among 19 members of the Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association's 2023 PELA class.
As job-seekers traveled to and from the Field House for the second day of the Career Fair on Tuesday, two construction students were diligently working behind the building on a new feature for the Athletics Department. Jacob C. Huston, a building construction technology student from Johnstown; and Corbin R. Moore, of Manheim, enrolled in residential construction & management technology, laid several courses of block – the start of a 20-foot-by-10-foot wall that will be used by the lacrosse team and others.
European research into self-monitoring and self-healing concrete was shared Wednesday evening with Penn College students in civil engineering and a variety of construction-related majors. The hourlong seminar was delivered by Andrzej Cwirzen, head of the Building Materials Research Group at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden.
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