Penn College News

Automotive Instructors Return to Campus for Conference

Monday, July 23, 2018

For the third time in its history, Penn College hosted the annual conference of the North American Council of Automotive Teachers. Returning to the 1998 and 2008 site of their organization's official get-together, more than 200 NACAT members from across the United States and Canada convened for the July 16-19 event. During their stay, participants had their pick among more than 110 informative and topical sessions; a variety of family activities and evening diversions – including a barbecue, Valve Cover Races and a closing banquet – supplemented each day's instruction.


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




 

 Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour welcomes NACAT members to their organization's 45th annual conference, again held at the home of one of America's longest continuous automotive programs.

Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour welcomes NACAT members to their organization's 45th annual conference, again held at the home of one of America's longest continuous automotive programs.

A veteran of many NACAT conferences, Dale E. Jaenke (left) – soon to retire after 22 years on the college's automotive faculty – talks with council President Patrick Brown-Harrison.

A veteran of many NACAT conferences, Dale E. Jaenke (left) – soon to retire after 22 years on the college's automotive faculty – talks with council President Patrick Brown-Harrison.

More than 200 NACAT members, assembling in Penn's Inn for the opening business meeting, hear from Walter V. Gower, assistant dean of transportation and natural resources technologies.

More than 200 NACAT members, assembling in Penn's Inn for the opening business meeting, hear from Walter V. Gower, assistant dean of transportation and natural resources technologies.

Keynoter Sean Brennan, a professor in Penn State's College of Engineering, discusses several interlocking developments regarding autonomous vehicles –

Keynoter Sean Brennan, a professor in Penn State's College of Engineering, discusses several interlocking developments regarding autonomous vehicles – "any one of which would be the most profound change in the automotive field in the last century."

Chris Van Batenburg, CEO and founder of the Automotive Career Development Center, greets a full house for a seminar on

Chris Van Batenburg, CEO and founder of the Automotive Career Development Center, greets a full house for a seminar on "Tesla ... what we know technically so far."

Collision repair instructor Loren R. Bruckhart (right) oversees a hands-on exercise by University of Hawai‘i Maui College faculty members Thomas K. Hussey (foreground) and Lawrence K. Martinson in the

Collision repair instructor Loren R. Bruckhart (right) oversees a hands-on exercise by University of Hawai‘i Maui College faculty members Thomas K. Hussey (foreground) and Lawrence K. Martinson in the "Automotive Adhesives Repair" workship in College Avenue Labs.

Walter V. Gower (left), assistant dean of transportation and natural resources technologies, and Daniels test the two-lane track ... which has sensors and lights at the finish line to indicate the winner of each heat.

Walter V. Gower (left), assistant dean of transportation and natural resources technologies, and Daniels test the two-lane track ... which has sensors and lights at the finish line to indicate the winner of each heat.

James W. Daniels, automotive toolroom attendant and two-time Penn College alumnus, carefully puts a distinctive finishing touches on the track for July 24's Valve Cover Races. The track was built by Barney A. Kahn IV, building construction technology instructor, with crucial help from Marc E. Bridgens, associate professor of HVAC technology, and Allan M. Meck, electronics service specialist.

James W. Daniels, automotive toolroom attendant and two-time Penn College alumnus, carefully puts a distinctive finishing touches on the track for July 24's Valve Cover Races. The track was built by Barney A. Kahn IV, building construction technology instructor, with crucial help from Marc E. Bridgens, associate professor of HVAC technology, and Allan M. Meck, electronics service specialist.

More than two dozen exhibitors fill the Field House floor to share their wares and wherefores.

More than two dozen exhibitors fill the Field House floor to share their wares and wherefores.

Juliet Marshall, of Specialty Equipment Market Association, engages a visitor.

Juliet Marshall, of Specialty Equipment Market Association, engages a visitor.

Kevin Boden, president of ConsuLab, discusses the company's repertoire of training aids.

Kevin Boden, president of ConsuLab, discusses the company's repertoire of training aids.

Among Megatech Corp.'s instructional equipment is a diagnostic trainer complete with institutional logo.

Among Megatech Corp.'s instructional equipment is a diagnostic trainer complete with institutional logo.

An array of products is displayed by Nouri Dassi, president of NADA Scientific Ltd.

An array of products is displayed by Nouri Dassi, president of NADA Scientific Ltd.

... whose booth included a display of makeshift racers.

... whose booth included a display of makeshift racers.

Attendees learn about Electude's e-learning offerings.

Attendees learn about Electude's e-learning offerings.

Conference participants talk with Ethan Shipp, of ATech Training Inc. ...

Conference participants talk with Ethan Shipp, of ATech Training Inc. ...

The college's impressive Honda PACT lab provides the setting for a session on

The college's impressive Honda PACT lab provides the setting for a session on "Replacement and Calibration of Honda and Acura Advanced Driver Assistance Systems."