Building Construction Articles

"Imagine a world without concrete," levels alumnus Joe DiBucci, building construction technology instructor at Penn College. (Impossible!) This energized episode of the "Tomorrow Makers" podcast brings loads of laughs and lots of insight about the world's most widely used building material — concrete. Have a listen to "Concrete Science."

"Concrete Science and Careers,” offered to K-12 FFA instructors by faculty experts from Pennsylvania College of Technology, is already yielding positive impacts – including plans for a more in-depth session for the teachers later this spring. Faculty offered instructor workshops on three Saturdays during the Pennsylvania FFA’s “Agricultural Cooperation Establishes Success” Leadership Conference near Harrisburg.

Students in the Decorative Concrete class, taught by Joe F. DiBucci, recently visited Lycoming Vault & Precast in Montoursville. The company produces a variety of precast concrete products, from septic tanks to light pole bases. “Traveling to a precast concrete plant was a great opportunity for the students to be able to see a different side of the industry,” said DiBucci.

Pennsylvania College of Technology students who are set to compete at the International Builders Show this month were hosted recently by the West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association, which presented the students with a check for $3,500 to offset the cost of their competition and travel expenses. The students are members of the Penn College Construction Association. Each year, the association sends students to the show, where they compete in the National Association of Home Builders Student Competition.

Eight students in Pennsylvania College of Technology's concrete science technology and residential construction technology & management majors expanded their horizons recently with a visit to World of Concrete, an international event dedicated to the concrete and masonry construction industries. The convention, held annually in Las Vegas, attracted 60,000 attendees to its 700,000 square feet of exhibit space and was featured on CBS "Sunday Morning" on Feb. 11.

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.