Penn College News

Diligently Restored, Dazzlingly Arrayed

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Pennsylvania College of Technology provided a stunning backdrop for the Antique Automobile Club of America's Grand National Meet from Thursday through Saturday, an exciting and extraordinary event that was the largest ever held by the organization. A joint project of the AACA Susquehannock Region and the Penn College Classic Cruisers student group, the gathering attracted more than 600 cars, trucks and motorcycles and thousands of participants and spectators. Activities for registrants and their families included tours of campus and local attractions, informative sessions in instructional labs, and social get-togethers ... and two free events were open to the community: Friday's keynote address by Lyn St. James in the Field House and Saturday's car show – breathtakingly featuring 40 to 50 million dollars' worth of automobiles – along the campus mall. A motivational speaker, St. James is a seven-time Indianapolis 500 competitor, the Indy's first female Rookie of the Year and one of the "Top 100 Female Athletes of the Century" as chosen by Sports Illustrated. In addition to the photo gallery that follows, the memorable event is captured in a video on the college's YouTube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thLuFnJH9Rw


– Photos by Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer,
and Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor


The Parkes Automotive Technology Center offers ample space for a Shelby Mustang ‘R’ Model lecture by former Shelby chief engineer Chuck Cantwell.

The Parkes Automotive Technology Center offers ample space for a Shelby Mustang ‘R’ Model lecture by former Shelby chief engineer Chuck Cantwell.

Shelby love and lore are shared by Cantwell, the man responsible for bringing the high-performance Mustangs to life in the 1960s.

Shelby love and lore are shared by Cantwell, the man responsible for bringing the high-performance Mustangs to life in the 1960s.

... and leads a “Ladies’ Campus Tour” aboard a historic trolley operated by River Valley Transit.

... and leads a “Ladies’ Campus Tour” aboard a historic trolley operated by River Valley Transit.

Even “The Rock” rolls out the red-carpet welcome …

Even “The Rock” rolls out the red-carpet welcome …

… and campus cheer is further boosted by energetic, pint-size ambassadors from the Children’s Learning Center!

… and campus cheer is further boosted by energetic, pint-size ambassadors from the Children’s Learning Center!

Chris J. Holley, assistant professor of automotive, gives a tour of the Automotive Technology Center labs …

Chris J. Holley, assistant professor of automotive, gives a tour of the Automotive Technology Center labs …

… and a close-up look inside a Dodge Dart GT.

… and a close-up look inside a Dodge Dart GT.

Shaun D. Hack, collision repair and restoration faculty, chats with visitors over the Baja vehicle in the Metal Trades Center.

Shaun D. Hack, collision repair and restoration faculty, chats with visitors over the Baja vehicle in the Metal Trades Center.

Ladies’ tour members emerge from the Madigan Library after a look at The Gallery at Penn College’s current exhibit, “Full Circle.”

Ladies’ tour members emerge from the Madigan Library after a look at The Gallery at Penn College’s current exhibit, “Full Circle.”

Conversation pieces abound for visitors to CAL's spacious and well-equipped restoration labs.

Conversation pieces abound for visitors to CAL's spacious and well-equipped restoration labs.

Eric K. Albert, associate professor of machine tool technology/automated manufacturing, leads a seminar in 3-D printing ...

Eric K. Albert, associate professor of machine tool technology/automated manufacturing, leads a seminar in 3-D printing ...

... showing attendees how additive manufacturing can replicate parts needed to restore classic cars.

... showing attendees how additive manufacturing can replicate parts needed to restore classic cars.

Clyde W. Horst, of Lancaster, sought a Senior Grand National with multiple vehicles – including this 1956 Plymouth convertible.

Clyde W. Horst, of Lancaster, sought a Senior Grand National with multiple vehicles – including this 1956 Plymouth convertible.

A 1966 Plymouth Sport Fury, in eye-catching red, displayed by Frank Draskovic, of West Middlesex.

A 1966 Plymouth Sport Fury, in eye-catching red, displayed by Frank Draskovic, of West Middlesex.

A blue 1967 coupe owned by Frank Stech, of Pitman, N.J. ...

A blue 1967 coupe owned by Frank Stech, of Pitman, N.J. ...

Timothy M. Cryan traveled from Lockport, N.Y., in pursuit of a First Grand National with a 1987 Buick Regal coupe.

Timothy M. Cryan traveled from Lockport, N.Y., in pursuit of a First Grand National with a 1987 Buick Regal coupe.

A 1909 Chase C Panel Top, owned by Charles and Patricia Bustard, of Lansdale, is one of barely two dozen still in existence.

A 1909 Chase C Panel Top, owned by Charles and Patricia Bustard, of Lansdale, is one of barely two dozen still in existence.

Helping to put the

Helping to put the "class" into "classic" vehicles is a 1929 Franklin 137 dual-cowl phaeton owned by Robert E. Cornman Jr., of Pen Argyl.

Automobiles fill the Penn College landscape in this view to the northeast from atop the Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center.

Automobiles fill the Penn College landscape in this view to the northeast from atop the Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center.

In addition to vehicles displayed along the campus mall, entries reached the patio of the Bush Campus Center.

In addition to vehicles displayed along the campus mall, entries reached the patio of the Bush Campus Center.

Bardo Gym's rooftop provides an expansive glimpse of the contestants ...

Bardo Gym's rooftop provides an expansive glimpse of the contestants ...

... and the people on hand to appreciate their impressive and valuable

... and the people on hand to appreciate their impressive and valuable "babies."

Two Jeeps and a Harley-Davidson, all from the World War II era, pose a triumvirate of tribute to the military.

Two Jeeps and a Harley-Davidson, all from the World War II era, pose a triumvirate of tribute to the military.

Mass transit from a bygone day is represented by a 1912 Little Giant D jitney, brought to the competition by Wayne P. MacDonald, of McConnellsburg.

Mass transit from a bygone day is represented by a 1912 Little Giant D jitney, brought to the competition by Wayne P. MacDonald, of McConnellsburg.

With the know-how and personality that make her a natural CAL crowd-pleaser, Mathurin leads a Friday tour through the restoration labs.

With the know-how and personality that make her a natural CAL crowd-pleaser, Mathurin leads a Friday tour through the restoration labs.

A judge gets a closer look at the 1933 Chevrolet CA Master of Roger C. Rittenhouse, of Smock.

A judge gets a closer look at the 1933 Chevrolet CA Master of Roger C. Rittenhouse, of Smock.

A phalanx of Chevys angles across the PDC lawn.

A phalanx of Chevys angles across the PDC lawn.

... is among competitors in the competitive Chevrolet Corvette class.

... is among competitors in the competitive Chevrolet Corvette class.

Debra M. Miller, Penn College's vice president for institutional advancement, greets Friday's Field House audience ...

Debra M. Miller, Penn College's vice president for institutional advancement, greets Friday's Field House audience ...

A 1929 Duesenberg on loan to Penn College will be presented by students at The Elegance at Hershey concourse event next weekend.

A 1929 Duesenberg on loan to Penn College will be presented by students at The Elegance at Hershey concourse event next weekend.

Earl L. Mowrey Jr., chair of the AACA Susquehannock Region

Earl L. Mowrey Jr., chair of the AACA Susquehannock Region

In a class by itself is a 1976 Citicar Electric hardtop, presented by Valerie Green, of Camp Hill.

In a class by itself is a 1976 Citicar Electric hardtop, presented by Valerie Green, of Camp Hill.

The campus' V.I.P. visitors gather under tents Friday for a picnic on the intramural field.

The campus' V.I.P. visitors gather under tents Friday for a picnic on the intramural field.

Richard Taylor, of Mansfield, Ohio, brought along a still-operational 1910 Harley-Davidson.

Richard Taylor, of Mansfield, Ohio, brought along a still-operational 1910 Harley-Davidson.

Guests board the Hiawatha paddleboat ...

Guests board the Hiawatha paddleboat ...

... for a Thursday river cruise on the Susquehanna's scenic West Branch.

... for a Thursday river cruise on the Susquehanna's scenic West Branch.

Robert Bahre's 1934 Duesenberg SJ, brought from Oxford, Maine, is of added local interest due to its Lycoming engine.

Robert Bahre's 1934 Duesenberg SJ, brought from Oxford, Maine, is of added local interest due to its Lycoming engine.

Lyn St. James delivers motivation and memories to an attentive Field House crowd.

Lyn St. James delivers motivation and memories to an attentive Field House crowd.

A seven-time participant in the Indianapolis 500, Friday's featured speaker honors this year's centennial of the Memorial Day weekend tradition.

A seven-time participant in the Indianapolis 500, Friday's featured speaker honors this year's centennial of the Memorial Day weekend tradition.

Priceless car after priceless car line the campus mall, where public strolling and adoration were invited from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Priceless car after priceless car line the campus mall, where public strolling and adoration were invited from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The event included a number of showcases for the host institution's peerless instructional space, including a Metal Fabrication Workshop led by Roy H. Klinger, collision repair instructor.

The event included a number of showcases for the host institution's peerless instructional space, including a Metal Fabrication Workshop led by Roy H. Klinger, collision repair instructor.

Wayne Appleton, of Waitsfield, Vt., brought his 1932 MG FI Magna roadster, hoping for a First Grand National award.

Wayne Appleton, of Waitsfield, Vt., brought his 1932 MG FI Magna roadster, hoping for a First Grand National award.

The inclusion of

The inclusion of "micro cars" affirms the enormity of the event.

The Ford Model T, the birth of which roughly coincides with the college's earliest incarnation

The Ford Model T, the birth of which roughly coincides with the college's earliest incarnation

Two generations of automotive enthusiasts converge at

Two generations of automotive enthusiasts converge at "Mopar Corner."

From Williamsburg, Va., no stranger to honoring history, came a 1970 Morgan roadster owned by Mark R. Strang.

From Williamsburg, Va., no stranger to honoring history, came a 1970 Morgan roadster owned by Mark R. Strang.

In the world of antique automobiles, motorcycles are vehicles, too!

In the world of antique automobiles, motorcycles are vehicles, too!

Raymond J Wotkowski, of Sidman, tries out a virtual sprayer during a paint simulator workshop in College Avenue Labs.

Raymond J Wotkowski, of Sidman, tries out a virtual sprayer during a paint simulator workshop in College Avenue Labs.

Trailers are settled onto a campus parking lot for their weekend stay.

Trailers are settled onto a campus parking lot for their weekend stay.

It's smooth sailing for event organizers, who make seamless success out of moving vehicles onto the showfield.

It's smooth sailing for event organizers, who make seamless success out of moving vehicles onto the showfield.

Among the rare and lovingly restored vehicles is a steam-powered 1929 Chevrolet Popcorn Wagon owned by John R. Mueller, of Huntingdon.

Among the rare and lovingly restored vehicles is a steam-powered 1929 Chevrolet Popcorn Wagon owned by John R. Mueller, of Huntingdon.

... and a 1962 Dragmster Dart.

... and a 1962 Dragmster Dart.

Through inspection and introspection, Mathurin and St. James share a mentoring moment.

Through inspection and introspection, Mathurin and St. James share a mentoring moment.

St. James poses by one of her former race cars, flanked by Mathurin (left) and collision repair technology major Genevieve M. Kelly, of Beverly, Mass.

St. James poses by one of her former race cars, flanked by Mathurin (left) and collision repair technology major Genevieve M. Kelly, of Beverly, Mass.

... a 1971 Kurtis Shargtue Midget ...

... a 1971 Kurtis Shargtue Midget ...

Traversing the parking lot during a Race Car Certification Run is a 1957 Corvette ...

Traversing the parking lot during a Race Car Certification Run is a 1957 Corvette ...

... joining a field that included this 1962 Plymouth Sport Fury ...

... joining a field that included this 1962 Plymouth Sport Fury ...

... for registration and check-in to campus housing.

... for registration and check-in to campus housing.

Those arriving Thursday for the national meet are welcomed outside Dauphin Hall ...

Those arriving Thursday for the national meet are welcomed outside Dauphin Hall ...

A 1936 25/30 light saloon owned by Tom Wright, of Sneads Ferry, N.C., fronts a stately row of Rolls-Royces.

A 1936 25/30 light saloon owned by Tom Wright, of Sneads Ferry, N.C., fronts a stately row of Rolls-Royces.

Friday afternoon's

Friday afternoon's "AACA Roundtable" discussion fuels a meeting of like minds.

Thursday's participants enjoy a social hour in the Thompson Professional Development Center.

Thursday's participants enjoy a social hour in the Thompson Professional Development Center.

St. James signs a book for Klinger.

St. James signs a book for Klinger.

Vanessa Mathurin, of Philadelphia, an applied management major who earned a degree in automotive restoration technology last year, presents keynoter Lyn St. James with a commemorative clock crafted in the restoration lab.

Vanessa Mathurin, of Philadelphia, an applied management major who earned a degree in automotive restoration technology last year, presents keynoter Lyn St. James with a commemorative clock crafted in the restoration lab.

A hoods-up

A hoods-up "Hello" from a row of Thunderbirds

A caravan of treasure-toting trailers arrives on campus Friday.

A caravan of treasure-toting trailers arrives on campus Friday.

Penn College welcomes the earliest arrivals at a Thursday evening reception in The Victorian House.

Penn College welcomes the earliest arrivals at a Thursday evening reception in The Victorian House.