Engineering Technologies Articles

Ellyn A. Lester, assistant dean of construction and architectural technologies for Pennsylvania College of Technology, was honored as a Construction Champion by Construction Dive, a leading industry publication. The annual list recognizes the most inspiring women leaders throughout the commercial construction industry. “Ellyn’s entire career has focused on talent: identifying it, leveraging it and nurturing it,” her nominator wrote.

Friday’s “Centre County Report” featured a story on Penn College’s Transportation Scholars program. The weekly broadcast -- produced by students in the capstone broadcast journalism course in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State – included an interview with Bradley M. Webb, dean of engineering technologies.

Two Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. employees visited classes recently in architecture and heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology to introduce students to career paths with the company’s virtual design & construction operations group. That team constructs buildings virtually before they are built physically, explained 2011 construction management alumnus Sean Scully, who is a project manager for Whiting-Turner, and Brandon Hurlburt, a VDC manager for the company.

Penn College's Diesel Performance Club and its 1959 B-61 Model Mack drag truck were revved up to return to Motorama, the annual motorsports extravaganza held Feb. 17-18 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. The students enjoyed sharing their passion for Penn College and its diesel technology major with event attendees and showing off their treasured truck. With more than 5,000 participants and 50,000 motorsport spectators, there was plenty of networking to do.

A total of 205 Scouts from five states buckled down at the Merit Badge College, held recently at Pennsylvania College of Technology. With 20 different badges offered and the ability to earn up to three badges during the day, the youngsters took in a wide range of technical opportunities under the guidance of college faculty, staff and students.

Pennsylvania College of Technology is the recipient of a nearly $1.5 million federal grant to support students majoring in a transportation-related field. The National Science Foundation awarded $1,498,465 (grant No. 2221107) as part of its S-STEM program, which funds scholarships for academically talented low-income students.

Following a SEDA-Council of Governments hearing yesterday in the Thompson Professional Development Center on the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, participants visited the college’s EV lab in the Parkes Automotive Technology Center. Automotive technology faculty members Christopher J. Holley and Charles F. Probst described the opportunities and challenges presented by EVs with the group.

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission held its Commissioner District Five Legislative Briefing on Pennsylvania College of Technology's campus Wednesday. Joining Timothy D. Schaeffer, executive director of the PFBC, was Penn College President Michael J. Reed; state Rep. Joe Hamm, R-84th; and state Rep. Michael A. Stender Jr., R-108th.

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.

Even when they don't have class, members of Penn College’s Baja SAE team are still studious, working on elements of their off-road vehicle. Splitting their time between designing and machining, the team prepares for the mid-May international competition at Penn College's Heavy Construction and Equipment Operations Site in Brady Township.