Diesel Instructor Again Honored With Caterpillar 'Pathfinder' Award

For the second consecutive year, Pennsylvania College of Technology's lead faculty member for diesel equipment technology has been honored by the college and Caterpillar Inc. with the "Pathfinder to Excellence" award.



William P. Kilcoyne Jr., an instructor in the School of Natural Resources Management, received the award during a recent advisory meeting of Caterpillar officials and dealers at the college's Schneebeli Earth Science Center near Allenwood.

Presented since 2003, the award recognizes a Penn College faculty member who "develops effective teaching techniques, enhances learning materials, demonstrates a keen sensitivity to student needs and maintains high academic standards."

Kilcoyne received a commemorative plaque and a cash award, funded by matching annual contributions from the Caterpillar Foundation and its regional dealerships.

Mary A. Sullivan, dean of natural resources management, said Kilcoyne consistently ranks high in such areas as teaching materials and methods, sensitivity to students' needs and commitment to the diesel program.

She also shared comments from students in the diesel equipment technology major who nominated their instructor for the repeat recognition:

• "I've never met a teacher who cared more and was more helpful than Mr. Kilcoyne. I could go to him about anything and he'd go out of his way to help."


• "Best teacher I've had since I started school way back in kindergarten."


• "Explains everything in depth, knows the answers, and if he doesn't, he looks it up and gets us the answer."


• "He wanted us to leave each lecture smarter than we entered."


• "Eager to help students find employment or introduce them to people they need to know."

Financial support for the award comes from the Caterpillar Excellence Fund, which has donated nearly $1.5 million to the school since 1994 in addition to equipment donations and technical support provided over the years from CAT and its regional dealers. The foundation's funding partners are Alban Tractor Co. Inc., Baltimore; Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Inc., Harrisburg; H.O. Penn Machinery Co. Inc., Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; and Ransome CAT, Bensalem.

For more about the School of Natural Resources Management, visit online or call (570) 320-8038. For more about Penn College, visit on the Web, e-mail or call toll-free (800) 367-9222.