Penn College students obtain valuable industry certifications
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
More than 40 Pennsylvania College of Technology students obtained valuable industry certifications related to engineering design in 2021-22, including one student who became the first in school history to earn certified SolidWorks expert status.
Benson P. Weaver, an engineering design technology major from Lititz, passed four advanced topic tests (sheet metal, drawing tools, surfacing and weldments) before successfully completing the most challenging SolidWorks exam: Certified SolidWorks Expert in Mechanical Design.
“The faculty could not be prouder of Benson for attempting and passing the exam,” said Craig A. Miller, instructor and department head of engineering and industrial design technology. “There are few people in the world who attempt the exam and even fewer who pass it. The example Benson has set will serve as inspiration for future students.”
SolidWorks is a prominent computer-aided design and engineering program used in manufacturing industries worldwide. “Expert” status is reserved for those who demonstrate the ability to utilize advanced functions and features to solve complex modeling challenges.
Besides Weaver, fellow engineering design technology students Jack P. Ralston, of Bloomsburg, and Dennis M. Barton, of Jeannette, earned professional advanced certifications by passing topic tests that serve as prerequisites for taking the Certified SolidWorks Expert exam.
An additional 40 students obtained various levels of certification with SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor, another commonly used CAD and engineering program.
Passing the Certified SolidWorks Professional exam, proving advanced use of the software, were the following engineering design technology students: Morgan R. Bagenstose, Reading; Caleb J. Barackman, Weedville; William L. Buck, Williamsport; David J. Cadden, West Chester; Sydney M. Camut, Shippensburg; Matheu A. Davenport, Williamsport; Wesley S. McCray, Corry; Brandon Z. Williams, West Pittston; and Daniel T. Wright, McClure.
Passing the Certified SolidWorks Associate exam by demonstrating proficiency of the software were the following:
Engineering design technology students Benjamin Audenried, Nazareth; Casey B. Campbell, Kennerdell; Christian A. Chandler, Norfolk, Va.; Cenzo G. DiFabrizio, Morgantown; Nate D. Dundas, York; Jennifer Fabian, Hershey; Sara A. Halligan, Mohnton; Ethan M. Houtz, Trevorton; Dongwook Kim, Seoul, South Korea; Kendra L. Jollimore, Plymouth; Griffin R. Knelly, Berwick; Richard T. Markle, Spring Mills; Michael N. Martinetti, Saylorsburg; Caleb J. Morgan, Shirleysburg; Harry J. O’Donnell, Downingtown; Collin A. Robinson, Nazareth; Nathan J. Scholl, New Columbia; Jonathan R. Smith, Jersey Shore; Caden A. Stake, Sunbury; and Hayden S. Volinski and Parker B. Volinski, both Northumberland.
(Smith also obtained Autodesk Inventor User Certification along with Kyle P. Amon, an engineering design technology major from Lafayette.)
Engineering CAD technology students Matthew Cathcart, Sugar Grove; Jino A. DiFabrizio, Morgantown; Brendan J. Madeira, Lebanon; Wesley E. Walls, St. Thomas; and Ben P. Williams, Port Matilda.
Manufacturing engineering technology students Codie A. McCarthy, Springdale, and Joshua D. Schreckengast, Morgantown; and industrial design student Justin J. Thomma, Bethlehem.
“All of our students who have tested and earned their SolidWorks and Autodesk certifications are to be congratulated,” Miller said. “Their hard work and dedication to their chosen career path will serve them well as they seek internships and full-time positions within their fields. Their accomplishments prove that they are skilled with the design software used within industry around the world.”
Information about majors offered by Penn College’s School of Engineering Technologies is available by calling 570-327-4520.
For more on Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free at 800-367-9222.
Benson P. Weaver, an engineering design technology major from Lititz, passed four advanced topic tests (sheet metal, drawing tools, surfacing and weldments) before successfully completing the most challenging SolidWorks exam: Certified SolidWorks Expert in Mechanical Design.
![Pennsylvania College of Technology engineering design technology student Benson P. Weaver made history during the 2021-22 academic year. Weaver, of Lititz, became the first Penn College student to earn certified SolidWorks expert status by passing the rigorous Certified SolidWorks Expert in Mechanical Design exam. He earned his bachelor's degree, taking part in a May 14 commencement ceremony.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2022/05/BensonWeaver.jpg)
SolidWorks is a prominent computer-aided design and engineering program used in manufacturing industries worldwide. “Expert” status is reserved for those who demonstrate the ability to utilize advanced functions and features to solve complex modeling challenges.
Besides Weaver, fellow engineering design technology students Jack P. Ralston, of Bloomsburg, and Dennis M. Barton, of Jeannette, earned professional advanced certifications by passing topic tests that serve as prerequisites for taking the Certified SolidWorks Expert exam.
![Penn College students passing the Certified SolidWorks Associate exam for mechanical design include (kneeling from left): Christian A. Chandler, Cenzo G. DiFabrizio and Jino A. DiFabrizio. Standing (from left) are: Joshua D. Schreckengast, Wesley E. Walls, Caleb J. Morgan, Kendra L. Jollimore, Nate D. Dundas, Nathan J. Scholl, Caden A. Stake and Jonathan R. Smith.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2022/05/CCD-124-01-CSWA-2022.jpg)
Passing the Certified SolidWorks Professional exam, proving advanced use of the software, were the following engineering design technology students: Morgan R. Bagenstose, Reading; Caleb J. Barackman, Weedville; William L. Buck, Williamsport; David J. Cadden, West Chester; Sydney M. Camut, Shippensburg; Matheu A. Davenport, Williamsport; Wesley S. McCray, Corry; Brandon Z. Williams, West Pittston; and Daniel T. Wright, McClure.
![Other students earning the certification include (front row from left) Casey B. Campbell, Griffin R. Knelly, Ethan M. Houtz and Benjamin Audenried; and (back row from left) Ben P. Williams, Dongwook Kim, Richard T. Markle, Sara A. Halligan, Collin A. Robinson and Matthew Cathcart.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2022/05/CCD-124-02-CSWA-2022.jpg)
Engineering design technology students Benjamin Audenried, Nazareth; Casey B. Campbell, Kennerdell; Christian A. Chandler, Norfolk, Va.; Cenzo G. DiFabrizio, Morgantown; Nate D. Dundas, York; Jennifer Fabian, Hershey; Sara A. Halligan, Mohnton; Ethan M. Houtz, Trevorton; Dongwook Kim, Seoul, South Korea; Kendra L. Jollimore, Plymouth; Griffin R. Knelly, Berwick; Richard T. Markle, Spring Mills; Michael N. Martinetti, Saylorsburg; Caleb J. Morgan, Shirleysburg; Harry J. O’Donnell, Downingtown; Collin A. Robinson, Nazareth; Nathan J. Scholl, New Columbia; Jonathan R. Smith, Jersey Shore; Caden A. Stake, Sunbury; and Hayden S. Volinski and Parker B. Volinski, both Northumberland.
(Smith also obtained Autodesk Inventor User Certification along with Kyle P. Amon, an engineering design technology major from Lafayette.)
Engineering CAD technology students Matthew Cathcart, Sugar Grove; Jino A. DiFabrizio, Morgantown; Brendan J. Madeira, Lebanon; Wesley E. Walls, St. Thomas; and Ben P. Williams, Port Matilda.
Manufacturing engineering technology students Codie A. McCarthy, Springdale, and Joshua D. Schreckengast, Morgantown; and industrial design student Justin J. Thomma, Bethlehem.
“All of our students who have tested and earned their SolidWorks and Autodesk certifications are to be congratulated,” Miller said. “Their hard work and dedication to their chosen career path will serve them well as they seek internships and full-time positions within their fields. Their accomplishments prove that they are skilled with the design software used within industry around the world.”
Information about majors offered by Penn College’s School of Engineering Technologies is available by calling 570-327-4520.
For more on Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free at 800-367-9222.
Photos provided