Penn College News

Longtime Industry Partner Entrusts Welding Equipment to College

Thursday, January 19, 2017

A leading welding company is augmenting its strong relationship with Pennsylvania College of Technology by entrusting nearly $250,000 worth of equipment to the school.

Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. made the two-year equipment loan to benefit approximately 350 welding students at the college. Students seeking a bachelor’s degree in welding and fabrication engineering technology, an associate degree in welding technology, or a certificate in welding will use the entrusted arc welding equipment.

“We greatly appreciate Miller Electric’s generosity and commitment to welding’s future,” said David R. Cotner, dean of industrial, computing and engineering technologies. “Their continued support of our current students, not to mention many of our graduates, is a testament to the quality of our welding department at Penn College.”



Representatives from Penn College’s welding department and Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. mark the company’s equipment loan to the program. From left are Matt W. Nolan, welding instructor; Michael C. Schelb, welding lecturer; Rick Conrad, field application engineer at Miller; Rick Scharenbroch, industrial district manager at Miller; and Timothy S. Turnbach, welding instructor.According to Cotner, many Penn College welding students secure industry positions long before commencement. He said starting salaries for recent four-year graduates range from $55,000 to $80,000 and from $38,000 to $65,000 for two-year grads.

“Miller Electric has been a longtime partner with the college and has provided significant charitable donations since 2012,” said Elizabeth A. Biddle, director of corporate relations. “The company is also a consistent presence at the college’s career fairs. This equipment loan demonstrates Miller’s sincere commitment to the next generation of welders. We are honored that our welding program has earned the company’s trust.”

Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. representatives train welding faculty on new equipment entrusted to the lab.Headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, Miller has grown from a one-man operation in 1929 to the world’s largest manufacturer of arc welding products. The company focuses on building advanced, solution-focused products and meeting crucial needs for welding safety and health.

For information on Penn College’s welding majors and other programs offered by the college’s School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.

For more on Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.