H. L. Wiker and Sons, Inc. Scholarship Established at Penn College

A Lancaster company that hires graduates of Pennsylvania College of Technology's Diesel Technology and Heavy Construction Equipment Technology programs and provides summer and vacation employment opportunities for students has established a scholarship at the College.

Distribution of the H.L. Wiker and Sons, Inc. Scholarship will begin this fall. Scholarships will be awarded each year for the fall and spring semesters.

Preference will be given to full-time students who are family members and/or employees of H.L. Wiker and Sons, Inc. and who are enrolled in the Diesel Technology or Heavy Construction Equipment Technology (Operator Emphasis or Technician Emphasis) majors. Preference also will be given to students from Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Chester, Dauphin and Berks counties.

H.L. Wiker and Sons, Inc. has actively recruited Penn College Diesel and Heavy Construction Equipment students since 2001. In addition, representatives of the company attend Career Expo events annually at the College's Schneebeli Earth Science Center near Allenwood.

The company was started in 1988 by Harold and Beverly Wiker with five employees. Currently, the firm employs 150 people, providing clients with expert services in complete site development for commercial, industrial, educational and residential projects.

"The Wiker partnership is very important to the School of Natural Resources Management at Penn College," said Dr. Wayne R. Longbrake, dean of natural resources management. "We are extremely pleased with the financial support that this new scholarship will provide to our students."

"We are delighted to have a long-standing partnership with H.L. Wiker and Sons, Inc.," added Barry R. Stiger, vice president for institutional advancement. "This company has provided our students with summer and vacation employment, as well as exciting full-time job opportunities in the Lancaster area."

"Penn College has done a great job in preparing graduates for employment in our industry," said Jeffrey D. Wiker, vice president, administration for H.L. Wiker and Sons, Inc. "The graduates of Penn College have a wealth of knowledge and skills that cannot be found anywhere else. H.L. Wiker and Sons and Penn College are continually proud of the commitment shown by the graduates."

For more information about the Diesel Technology and Heavy Construction Equipment Technology programs at Penn College, call (570) 320-8038, send e-mail or visit on the Web.