Concrete science student honored with national fellowship

A student in Pennsylvania College of Technology’s innovative two-year concrete science technology major has received a prestigious $10,000 industry fellowship.

Joseph F. DiBucci, of Glenshaw, was awarded the Richard D. Stehly Memorial Fellowship from the ACI Foundation, a nonprofit subsidiary of the American Concrete Institute. Named for the institute’s former president, the fellowship spotlights undergraduate students enrolled in a concrete-related curriculum with an emphasis on structural design, materials or construction.

"The Richard D. Stehly Memorial Fellowship reflects my current education at Penn College, which includes the study of sustainable design and concrete science,” DiBucci said. “My background knowledge in concrete allows me to have a different view on one of the most-used materials in the world. The combination of my education and background knowledge challenges me to make concrete a more sustainable product by implementing different sustainable practices.”

DiBucci earned a two-year degree in building construction technology in December and is working toward a bachelor’s in the college’s applied technology studies major and a dual degree in concrete science technology. He has earned the LEED Green Associate credential and is founder/president of the ConCreate Design Club student organization, which promotes concrete science and allows students to get hands-on experience in all aspects of a concrete pour.

"Success comes to those who deserve it, and Joe's efforts have certainly proven that this is the case,” said Franklin H. Reber Jr., instructor of building construction technology. “He has unlocked the potential for success in the concrete science degree.”

DiBucci, notified in February that he was a finalist for two of the ACI Foundation’s fellowships, was required to attend a follow-up interview with the Scholarship Council at the institute’s Spring Convention & Exposition in Quebec City, Canada, in late March. His travel expenses and accommodations were fully funded by ACI.

“The fellowship has opened up many gateways into the concrete industry for me, allowing me to interact with industry professionals and fellow students,” he added. “The technical side that I’ve embarked on at Penn College sets me apart from the majority of students that are affiliated with the American Concrete Institute. Being able to have a hands-on learning experience allows me to grasp a better understanding of the characteristics of concrete."

Since 2012, the ACI Foundation has given more than $500,000 to more than 60 students in fellowships alone.

For information about Penn College’s two-year concrete major, the only one of its kind on the East Coast, visit the School of Construction & Design Technologies or call 570-327-4518.

For more about the college, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.