Builders' Group Contributes Anew to College's Student Chapter

Students in Pennsylvania College of Technology's construction majors received a continued boost at a recent awards banquet: the year's second contribution from The Women's Council of the West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association to defray the costs of annually attending the National Association of Home Builders competition.

The women's council presented the Penn College Construction Association the college's NAHB chapter with a check for nearly $690, the proceeds of a fund-raiser held in conjunction with the spring builders show at the YMCA Pickelner Arena.

The surprise contribution came during the West Branch Builders' April dinner meeting, at which Tom F. Gregory, dean of construction and design technologies at Penn College, was the roundtable speaker. He spoke about the school and its relationship with construction businesses, enrollment growth, student opportunities and accomplishments, and the college's inclusion of a Professional Code of Conduct in its construction curriculum.

"Several people stopped me afterward and said that was one of the best things they heard students and graduates need to hear about expectations of on-the-job behaviors and encouraged us to proceed," Gregory said.

Also on hand were Thomas J. Mulfinger, associate professor of building construction; and Richard L. Druckenmiller, instructor of building construction technology, who introduced the graduating students chosen to receive West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association awards.

The honorees, selected for their outstanding grade-point averages, strong work ethic, ability to communicate well with faculty and strong commitment to the residential building industry, were: Matthew S. Diamond, Somerset, heavy construction equipment technology-operator; Matthew S. Divok, Quakertown, building construction technology; Curtis J. Graf, South Williamsport, residential construction technology-building construction technology; Christopher B. Meklin, Bradley Beach, N.J., construction carpentry; Scott A. Seroskie, Danville, electromechanical maintenance technology; and Meghann E. Stasko, Hazleton, residential construction technology-building construction technology.

The latest donation brings to nearly $8,000 the total contributed to the student chapter for the 2005-06 academic year. The WBSBA presented students with a $3,000 check in September and matched it through an NAHB grant in December; the women's council earlier donated $1,000 toward students' participation in national competition.

A team of two-year students placed second among 14 teams during January's National Association of Home Builders' international convention in Orlando, Fla. A group of students enrolled in four-year majors finished 14th out of 37 colleges and universities at this year's competition.

To learn more about construction-related majors at Penn College, call (570) 327-4513, send e-mail or visit online.