State Aggregates and Concrete Association Provides Scholarship

The Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association, which represents more than 200 member companies statewide, will provide an annual $1,000 scholarship for students enrolled in the Civil Engineering Technology bachelor's-degree program at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Formed in 1982, PACA is the industry's voice in Harrisburg, representing it on a variety of issues and regulatory matters before the state Legislature. PACA works closely with the Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation, Environmental Protection, Conservation and Natural Resources and Agriculture and alerts its members about current developments.

"PACA's support of the Penn College scholarship program insures the continued existence of an educated workforce that considers our member companies for employment," said PACA President James D. Sells. "Supporting Penn College in this partnership provides financial resources to educate the manpower we need in our industry."

"As the cost of technical education rises, some students compromise and combine work and education, which generally lengthens their time in college," said Lamont E. Butters, department head and professor of civil engineering technology at Penn College. "It is good for technical programs and their students to have the support of the related industries, societies and associations, like the Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association."

Butters said that, in the past five years, a number of students in the Civil Engineering Technology and Surveying Technology programs at Penn College have benefited from scholarship and funding support provided by various trade associations.

"Having PACA enter into a partnership with Penn College's scholarship program is certainly a perfect match for our students," Butters said.

To be eligible for the PACA scholarship, Penn College students must:

• Be enrolled full-time in at least their third year
• Be enrolled in the Civil Engineering Technology bachelor's-degree program
• Have applied for, and been deemed eligible for, financial aid. Financial need will be the primary factor for candidates in the final selection process
• Maintain a minimum 2.5 grade-point average

The $1,000 award will be split between the students' fall and spring semesters in their third or fourth year of study.