Penn College Students Place at Mid-Atlantic Woodsman's Meet

Three Pennsylvania College of Technology students turned in blue-ribbon performances, and a number of classmates also placed during forestry-related events at the recent Mid-Atlantic Woodsman's Meet on the main campus of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College in Virginia.

"This type of activity provides a wonderful opportunity for our students to work together as a team to showcase their individual and group talents and to hone their forestry skills," said Mary A. Sullivan, assistant dean of natural resources management. "The fact that we had such a great showing, earning several first-place standings, is an added bonus. Once again, our students have made us proud."

First-place winners from Penn College at the April 14 meet were Shannon L. Emig, of Williamsport, in the Chain-Saw Speed category; Brendan A. Wilson, Kersey, Archery; and Benjamin A. Pupek, Pottstown, Bolt Split. Emig also placed third in Bolt Split and Speed Chop and fourth in Axe Throw; Pupek placed fifth in a qualifying event sponsored by Stihl Inc.

Pupek also was a member of the second-place entry in Team Pulp Toss, along with Benjamin J. Fisher, Howard; Michael Ancone, Springfield; Kristopher D. Runner, Avis; Thomas D. Miller, Wellsboro; and Chelsie J. Taylor, Smethport. Ancone is a landscape/nursery technology major; all of the other Penn College students are enrolled in the forest technology major.

For Dustin C. Moore, a Penn College alumnus now serving as a forestry professor, the regional events are equally rewarding for students and faculty.

"It gives us an opportunity to teach fundamentals that often are overlooked in the classroom setting, such as camaraderie, sportsmanship, confidence, determination and teamwork," he said. "It is rewarding to see a competitor finish his or her event prior to another competitor and begin to coach and cheer on the others. It reinforces to all that the college experience ... a microcosm of life ... is not successfully completed without the help of others, and that, together, we are greater than one."

The "friendships and acquaintances these young men and women make at these meets go a long way to break down stereotypes and prejudices" about the forestry profession, added Dennis F. Ringling, professor of forestry at Penn College.

Students from the college's Schneebeli Earth Science Center annually compete in the daylong event with five other institutions: this year's host college in Clifton Forge, Va.; Penn State Mont Alto; Montgomery Community College in Troy, N.C.; Haywood Community College in Clyde, N.C.; and Allegany College of Maryland in Cumberland.

Additional information about forest technology and other majors in Penn College's School of Natural Resources Management is available by calling (570) 320-8038, sending e-mail or visiting online .