Penn College News

Larson Design Group provides CAD workshop to students

Monday, November 29, 2021

Adding to its history of support for Pennsylvania College of Technology students and alumni, Larson Design Group developed a computer-aided design workshop that was offered to civil engineering and surveying majors during the spring and fall semesters.

“Larson Design Group’s support of our students through these workshops exemplifies its commitment to developing tomorrow’s industry professionals," said Chris S. Macdonald, Penn College's assistant director of corporate relations. "The experience provided our students with different perspectives for the methods used and offered them valuable resources in preparation for their careers. We are extremely grateful for Larson Design Group’s partnership and appreciate the mutually beneficial outcomes achieved with these workshops.”



Among participants (from left) are civil engineering technology students Jeramiah C. Styers, of Williamsport, Anakin S. Major, of Susquehanna, Noah W. Shafer, of Wyalusing, Lily D. Ward, of Williamsport, and William D. Schwanke, of Russell; as well as Larson Design Group's Gregory, Keiser and Aurand. (Photo provided)Six two-hour sessions – administered by LDG's Coleman Gregory, an associate project manager – covered plan presentation and due diligence, drafting and sketch planning, base mapping, site layout, and site grading. The purpose of the workshops is to provide supplemental information and exposure to methods that the students will experience during their employment.

“Larson Design Group was extremely thankful for the opportunity to again work with Pennsylvania College of Technology students, along with the college’s Office of Corporate Relations," Gregory said. "As the second year of our CAD workshop concluded, we once again managed to gather an engaged and attentive class who worked together to further develop their skill sets, further preparing them for the next step in their career development. We hope that the experience and materials provided will prove to be helpful not only in performing well in class, but in their professional pursuits.”

As the series ended, a networking and career-readiness event was held for the students in the college's Center for Career Design. Among those attending were Gregory; Christopher E. Keiser, an LDG project manager and a 1995 graduate of the college's landscape/nursery technology major; Brad Aurand, LDG's director of operations; and Drew R. Potts, assistant professor at the college and department head for civil engineering/surveying technology.

The students enjoyed food and interaction, then participated in mock-interview sessions with the representatives. Their resumes were reviewed and they received advice on their presentation, and the event concluded with a Q&A session and final remarks from the Larson Design Group team.

The students were encouraged to maintain contact with LDG and to share their workshop experience with other students in the programs to promote future sessions.

LDG – a valued Corporate Tomorrow Maker partner – has provided numerous internships and hired more than 150 graduates, and has established and contributed to civil engineering/surveying scholarships over the years. Its employees serve on the Penn College Foundation Board of Directors and in six positions on the college's corporate advisory committees (three for civil engineering technology, and one each for accounting, architectural technology and surveying technology).