'Center of Excellence' Unveiled; Plastics Wing Rededicated

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor

In a dual celebration two years in the making, a ribbon-cutting for Penn College's new plastics wing and the christening of the Thermoforming Center of Excellence were held April 6-7 in the Breuder Advanced Technology and Health Sciences Center.

Dignitaries, from left, Hank White, director of the Plastics Manufacturing Center at Penn College; Todd Kennedy Jr., ’05, plant manager for McClarin plastics; Davie Jane Gilmour, Penn College president; Roger Kipp, of McClarin Plastics; and Tim Weston, associate professor and department head of plastics technology, cut the ribbon to celebrate advancements in education and research opportunities in the renovated plastics facilities.

Todd Kennedy, 05, speaks to a group gathered prior to the ribbon-cutting for the colleges renovated plastics facilities and its new Thermoforming Center of Excellence.

Todd Kennedy, ’05, speaks to a group gathered prior to the ribbon-cutting for the college’s renovated plastics facilities and its new Thermoforming Center of Excellence.

Roger Kipp, vice president of marketing and engineering for McClarin Plastics, offers a keynote in the Professional Development Center.

Mark Strachan, president of Global Thermoforming Training Inc., describes the technical details of a hybrid thermoforming machine a one-of-a-kind piece of equipment in the colleges new Thermoforming Center of Excellence.

Mark Strachan, president of Global Thermoforming Training Inc., describes the technical details of a hybrid thermoforming machine – a one-of-a-kind piece of equipment – in the college’s new Thermoforming Center of Excellence.

Jay Waddell, founding partner and key management principal of Plastic Concepts & Innovations, LLC, talks about the thermoforming equipment with guests who toured the colleges renovated plastics facilities as part of the ribbon-cutting event.

Jay Waddell, founding partner and key management principal of Plastic Concepts & Innovations, LLC, talks about the thermoforming equipment with guests who toured the college’s renovated plastics facilities as part of the ribbon-cutting event.

JoAnn M. Otto, Plastics Manufacturing Center secretary, helps registrants in the ATHS atrium, while Timothy E. Weston, plastics faculty member (white shirt at right), and students welcome other guests.

Getting the student perspective from Zachary L. Poust, of Hughesville, a plastics and polymer engineering technology major

Getting the student perspective from Zachary L. Poust, of Hughesville, a plastics and polymer engineering technology major4

Visiting the extrusion lab

Kirk M. Cantor, professor of plastics technology, talks with Grand Opening attendees.

Visitors to the blowmolding lab talk with students John J. Kulhamer IV, of Northampton (left) and James R. Fanelli, of Glastonbury, Conn.

Gary E. McQuay, PMC project manager (in white shirt at center), explains operation of a CNC trimming machine on loan to the college from Geiss Thermoforming USA.