Penn College plastics students earn thermoforming scholarships
Monday, September 16, 2019
Two Pennsylvania College of Technology plastics students were among five nationwide to receive scholarships from the Society of Plastics Engineers Thermoforming Division.
Haven K. Bontz, of Cooperstown, and Nathan A. Rader-Edkin, of Williamsport, both majoring in plastics and polymer engineering technology, earned the scholarships from the professional society dedicated to advancing thermoforming technologies. Bontz’s scholarship was for $2,000, and Rader-Edkin received $2,500.
In addition to his studies at the college, Bontz has interned with Consolidated Container Co. in Oil City. He performed process validations and executed 5S plans (sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain) for the company, which focuses on creative packaging solutions.
Rader-Edkin serves as president of the SPE Student Chapter at Penn College and chairs SPE’s Next Generation Advisory Board. He’s worked as a molding intern at TE Connectivity in Middletown, a designer and manufacturer of connectivity and sensor products. He previously received a $2,000 scholarship from SPE’s Color and Appearance Division.
“We are proud to see our plastics students receive the scholarships from the SPE Thermoforming Division,” said David R. Cotner, dean of Penn College’s School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies. “Considering that just five scholarships were awarded, it’s an honor to know that two of them went to Penn College students.”
As scholarship recipients, the students were invited to the 27th SPE Thermoforming Conference in Milwaukee.
Penn College is one of six institutions nationwide offering plastics degrees that are accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Students may seek the bachelor’s degree in plastics and polymer engineering technology or an associate degree in plastics and polymer technology.
For information on those degrees and other programs offered by the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.
Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.