Faculty & Staff Articles

The National Science Foundation has recognized Pennsylvania College of Technology’s commitment to the plastics/polymer workforce by awarding a $594,574 Advanced Technological Education grant. The Practical Polymers for Students and Industry grant (award No. 2400810) will facilitate the redesign of the college’s polymer technology curriculum and support enhanced recruitment activities aimed at high school students, secondary teachers and incumbent workers.

The first in a series of hands-on workshops being offered this summer and fall by the Plastics Innovation & Resource Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology proved highly beneficial for 26 participants from 11 companies based in five states. Led by prominent plastics experts, the three-day Extrusion Seminar & Hands-on Workshop provided attendees with a comprehensive overview of extruders and extrusion principles.

Penn College hosted some of the best young welders in the nation last week. The college’s 55,000-square-foot welding facility served as the home for two national competitions, conducted by Project MFG, a skilled-trades advocacy group. A mix of high school and trade school students from throughout the country competed in the National Welding League Championship and the Maritime National Championship, both offering prizes that included $10,000 for first place.

Pennsylvania College of Technology has appointed Kate Hummel as senior director of campus life and the residential experience. She began her duties on June 10. “Kate’s experience and expertise is second-to-none in the field of student affairs; her arrival will enable us to move student life forward in innovative and exciting ways,” said Jennifer McLean, dean of students.

Montoursville Area High School student Mason Morrow won first place – and the grand prize of a $10,000 scholarship to Pennsylvania College of Technology – in the 2023-24 Dream-Learn-Pitch competition. Dream-Learn-Pitch, administered by nonprofit Brighter Financial Futures/Pennsylvania Council on Financial Literacy, provides high school and middle school students with an opportunity to innovate and gain exposure to the world of entrepreneurship and small business.

Pennsylvania College of Technology teams had multiple highlights during their 10th season as members of the United East Conference and seventh season as full-fledged members of the NCAA. The Wildcats are on the map! "The 2023-24 year is hands-down the most successful year in school history in the NCAA era," Scott Kennell, director of athletics, said.

Throughout the week, Penn College has hosted welding championships conducted by Project MFG, a skilled trades advocacy group. On Thursday, WNEP-TV’s Mackenzie Aucker covered the second of two competitions: the National Welding League Championship, featuring the top 18 high school and trade school welders from throughout the country. Her story includes an interview with Bradley M. Webb, dean of engineering technologies.

Pennsylvania College of Technology held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for two projects funded, in part, by a $2 million U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration grant: construction of an 1,800-square-foot Clean Energy House and renovations at the Carl Building Technologies Center on main campus.

An emergency management and homeland security instructor at Pennsylvania College of Technology delivered the keynote address at the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units’ School Safety and Security Coordinators Seminar, held recently at The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center in State College. “School safety is a passion of mine,” said William A. Schlosser.

Laura A. Snyder, of Harrisburg, a May graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s landscape/plant production technology major, has attained Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist status after passing the formal exam required for certification. The PCH exam was administered on the last day of finals in early May by Carl J. Bower Jr., assistant professor of horticulture at Penn College. Snyder passed all four sections of the intensive test.