For the second consecutive year, more than 50 Pennsylvania College of Technology students proved their computer-aided design prowess by passing a prominent industry certification test.
The students successfully completed the Certified SolidWorks Associate exam. SolidWorks is a 3-D modeling, computer-aided software program employed by more than 3 million product designers and engineers worldwide. It is one of several 3-D modeling software applications used by students enrolled in Penn College’s engineering design technology and industrial design bachelor-degree majors and the engineering CAD technology associate degree.
“We are so proud of the students,” said Katherine A. Walker, assistant professor and department head of engineering design technology. “Their performance on the exam reflects not only their hard work in the classroom, but their sincere dedication to the field. The certification will certainly help them stand out in the job market upon graduation.”
The three-hour test requires candidates to meet several hands-on challenges, representing various aspects of the software. Students must score at least 70 percent to pass the exam.
“A few years ago, we revised our curriculum to better align it with industry standards and technology,” said J.D. Mather, assistant professor of engineering design technology. “The number of current engineering design students earning their certification validates that our curriculum is indeed meeting those standards.”
Passing the exam were engineering design technology majors Teagan R. Buhosky, of Coopersburg; Kaylee N. Burk, of Hermitage; Rylee A. Butler, of Bellefonte; Jacob M. Weller, of Coplay; Richard M. Wood, of Bloomsburg; Mark Hajnoczky, of Wallingford; Joseph P. Kearney, of Lebanon; Thomas A. D’Arcy, of Mechanicsburg; Talal A. Almohaimeed, of Williamsport; Nicholas L. Witherite, of Spring Mills; Ian E. Gardepe, of Hawley; Justin T. Sparrow, of Poolesville, Maryland; Andrew J. Wentzler, of Muncy; Sabrina S. Toplovich, of Spring Creek; Kacie Stasko, of Lock Haven; Ryan P. Dortone, of Doylestown; Justin R. Souliere, of Macungie; Catherine E. Weatherman, of Ringtown; Jason S. Ruzzi, of Hummelstown; Thomas W. Stear, of Norristown; Dayton T. Rutkowski, of Catskill, New York; Cory A. Schuetrumpf, of Tamaqua; Hunter A. Lingle, of Lewisburg; Jared T. Burrey, of Lancaster; Matthew A. Semmel, of Palmerton; Nathaniel B. Durako, of Drums; Grace M. Thompson, of Warren; Dylan J. Rader, of Tatamy; Benjamin E. Doll, of Glen Rock; Kyle W. Pfender, of Penndel; Isaac L. Jackson, of Union, New Jersey; Joshua D. Maring, of Brookvile; Joseph M. Johnson, of Jersey Shore; Clayton A. Kochenderfer, of Lewistown; Tanner A. Huff, of Altoona; Daniel W. Pierson, of Sheffield; Nicholas D. Reitz, of Brookville; Ryan A. Cooley, of Towanda; and John M. Brenchley, of Canton.
Engineering CAD technology students earning their certification were Garet L. Farling, of Big Cove Tannery; Dylan R. Michna, of Aaronsburg; David M. Moroskie, of New Berlin; Teofilus R. Grigas, of Benton; Zachery V. Bobb, of Dornsife; Alisha A. Ortiz, of Williamsport; Dakota K. George, of Hughesville; and Arik M. Leota, of Harrisburg.
In addition to fully enrolled Penn College engineering design technology and engineering CAD technology majors, five Penn College NOW students passed the certification exam. Penn College NOW is a nationally accredited dual-enrollment program that allows high school students to earn college credits. Approved teachers at the students’ home high school or career and technology center teach the classes.
The Penn College NOW students earning certification were Jeremiah A. Hoy, Zachary J. Frankhouser, Tucker L. Stover and Jeffrey L. Sementelli, all from Central Mountain High School, and Alexander S. Benscoter from Milton Area Senior High School.
For information on the engineering design technology program and other majors offered by the college’s School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.
For information regarding Penn College NOW, which offers free tuition for courses in more than 25 career areas, call 570-320-8003.
For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
The students successfully completed the Certified SolidWorks Associate exam. SolidWorks is a 3-D modeling, computer-aided software program employed by more than 3 million product designers and engineers worldwide. It is one of several 3-D modeling software applications used by students enrolled in Penn College’s engineering design technology and industrial design bachelor-degree majors and the engineering CAD technology associate degree.
“We are so proud of the students,” said Katherine A. Walker, assistant professor and department head of engineering design technology. “Their performance on the exam reflects not only their hard work in the classroom, but their sincere dedication to the field. The certification will certainly help them stand out in the job market upon graduation.”
![Front row (from left): Teagan R. Buhosky, Kaylee N. Burk, Garet L. Farling, Rylee A. Butler, Jacob M. Weller and Richard M. Wood. Second row (from left): Mark Hajnoczky, Joseph P. Kearney, Dylan R. Michna, Thomas A. D’Arcy, Talal A. Almohaimeed, Nicholas L. Witherite, Ian E. Gardepe, David M. Moroskie, Justin T. Sparrow, Andrew J. Wentzler and Teofilus R. Grigas.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2016/07/Certification1-300x106.jpg)
“A few years ago, we revised our curriculum to better align it with industry standards and technology,” said J.D. Mather, assistant professor of engineering design technology. “The number of current engineering design students earning their certification validates that our curriculum is indeed meeting those standards.”
![Front row (from left): Sabrina S. Toplovich, Kacie Stasko, Ryan P. Dortone, Justin R. Souliere and Catherine E. Weatherman. Second row (from left): Jason S. Ruzzi, Thomas W. Stear, Zachery V. Bobb, Dayton T. Rutkowski, Cory A. Schuetrumpf and Hunter A. Lingle.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2016/07/Certification2-300x179.jpg)
![Front row (from left): Jared T. Burrey, Matthew A. Semmel, Alisha A. Ortiz, Nathaniel B. Durako, Grace M. Thompson, Dakota K. George, Dylan J. Rader and Benjamin E. Doll. Second row (from left): Arik M. Leota, Kyle W. Pfender, Isaac L. Jackson, Joshua D. Maring, Joseph M. Johnson, John M. Brenchley, Clayton A. Kochenderfer, Tanner A. Huff and Daniel W. Pierson.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2016/07/Certification3-300x108.jpg)
In addition to fully enrolled Penn College engineering design technology and engineering CAD technology majors, five Penn College NOW students passed the certification exam. Penn College NOW is a nationally accredited dual-enrollment program that allows high school students to earn college credits. Approved teachers at the students’ home high school or career and technology center teach the classes.
![High school students gaining certification are (from left) Alexander S. Benscoter, from Milton Area High School; and – from Central Mountain High School – Jeremiah A. Hoy, Zachary J. Frankhouser, Tucker L. Stover and Jeffrey L. Sementelli.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2016/07/HighSchool.jpg)
For information on the engineering design technology program and other majors offered by the college’s School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.
For information regarding Penn College NOW, which offers free tuition for courses in more than 25 career areas, call 570-320-8003.
For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
Photos provided