‘Pathfinder Award’ again presented to diesel faculty member

For the second time in his career, an assistant professor of diesel equipment technology at Pennsylvania College of Technology has been honored with Caterpillar Inc.'s Pathfinder to Excellence Faculty Award.

A plaque was presented to Chris S. Weaver, a faculty member at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, during this month's advisory committee meeting of Caterpillar dealer representatives at the college’s Thompson Professional Development Center.

Weaver – who also won the award in 2016 – has 13 years’ experience in the diesel and heavy equipment fields and holds multiple degrees from Penn College: a bachelor's in technology management (2013), associate degrees in diesel technology (2008) and heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis (2022), and a diesel technician certificate (1993).

He has been a full-time faculty member since 2006.

“Mr. Weaver is a great teacher and mentor both inside and outside the classroom,” said Justin W. Beishline, assistant dean of diesel technology and natural resources, who was awarded Pathfinder honors as a faculty member in 2011. “His teaching characteristics make him approachable by students and a pleasure to work with.”

Presented since 2003, the Pathfinder to Excellence award recognizes a faculty member who “develops effective teaching techniques, enhances learning materials, demonstrates a keen sensitivity to student needs and maintains high academic standards.

Among comments from Weaver’s student nominators:

• “The extensive background and experience Mr. Weaver has being a technician works its way into his instruction in many ways. He can articulate the textbook content into real-life stories and experiences that he explains in both a classroom and lab environment.”


• “Mr. Weaver has genuinely challenged me to think about what kind of technician I want to be.”


• “Mr. Weaver has explained that he’s worked with people of various backgrounds. He’s emphasized that we’ll encounter people different from ourselves, and it’s important to be open-minded in these situations.”


• “He creates real-world scenarios in the classroom on a daily basis.”


• “Mr. Weaver is not just a college professor. He is a friend, a mentor and an all-around great individual.”


• “Mr. Weaver innovates teaching materials by bringing theory to life in lab and converting the labs into real-world situations.

For information about Penn College's diesel, heavy equipment and power generation majors, visit the School of Engineering Technologies or call 570-327-4516.

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

Photo by Marci M. Hessert, office assistant to the assistant dean of diesel technology and natural resources