The two-year computer-aided drafting technology major at Pennsylvania College of Technology has been recertified by the American Design Drafting Association, a distinction currently held by only four schools in the commonwealth.
"It is programs such as yours that assure competent design and drafting professionals for the future," noted the ADDA letter that accompanied the recertification notice. "The Association's Certification Program and the commitment to excellence it represents provide a quality-assurance program, which benefits both education and industry."
According to the organization, certification provides recognition to schools whose curriculum in design/drafting meets the standards established and approved by the ADDA. The program also provides a means of encouraging schools to develop and upgrade design/drafting curriculum to better prepare students to meet job requirements.
Penn College was first certified by ADDA in 1997 and has been renewed annually ever since. According to the association, only three other Pennsylvania institutions have been certified so far for the 2005-06 academic year. Five others are in the process of recertification.
"It is a job well done, and an indication of the high quality and standards of the program," noted Tom F. Gregory, Penn College's dean of construction and design technologies.
Among the areas reviewed by ADDA, according to Katherine A. Walker, department head and assistant professor of drafting and CAD technology, are facilities, curriculum, alumni, advisory committee and activities, textbooks, faculty credentials, and equipment.
Walker thanked faculty and the school office staff for their assistance with preparing the documentation, adding that the recertification notice will be displayed near the CAD wing on the second floor of the Hager Lifelong Education Center.
For more information about computer-aided drafting technology or other majors in Penn College's School of Construction and Design Technologies, call (570) 327-4518, send e-mail or visit the school's Web site.