Penn College News

Welding lab gets cross-country exposure through FOX News

Friday, February 21, 2020

The media spotlight on Penn College's expanded welding lab shone brightly – and nationally – this week, attracting a visit from Philadelphia-based FOX News reporter Katie Byrne. The multimedia journalist spent much of Tuesday morning in the Lycoming Engines Metal Trades Center, talking with students and administration from the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies. She also captured considerable video footage of the enhanced instructional space, resulting in online and broadcast versions of her story. The latter was distributed to FOX affiliates throughout the country, airing on Byrne's home station (FOX29) Friday evening and during weekend newscasts on the FOX News cable network.


– Photos by Tom Speicher, writer/video producer




 The journalist tells viewers that Penn College welding students have to complete a minimum of 144 hours of hands-on lab experience.

The journalist tells viewers that Penn College welding students have to complete a minimum of 144 hours of hands-on lab experience.

The story will air on newscasts of FOX affiliates across the country and appears on the FOX News website.

The story will air on newscasts of FOX affiliates across the country and appears on the FOX News website.

Byrne converses with Alexander W. Bibber, of Linden.

Byrne converses with Alexander W. Bibber, of Linden.

Learning about the Penn College welding program from Bradley M. Webb, dean of industrial, computing and engineering technologies

Learning about the Penn College welding program from Bradley M. Webb, dean of industrial, computing and engineering technologies

The college is believed to be the only school in North America with an electron beam welder.

The college is believed to be the only school in North America with an electron beam welder.

Byrne shares a moment with Franchesca C. Ybarra, of Hood River, Ore., one of 64 Penn College welding students from outside Pennsylvania.

Byrne shares a moment with Franchesca C. Ybarra, of Hood River, Ore., one of 64 Penn College welding students from outside Pennsylvania.

Interviewing Natalie J. Rhoades, of Weedville

Interviewing Natalie J. Rhoades, of Weedville

Checking out the operation of one of the college’s robotic welders

Checking out the operation of one of the college’s robotic welders

Byrne gets up close to watch Ybarra and Rhoades weld.

Byrne gets up close to watch Ybarra and Rhoades weld.