Penn College News

'CAT Day' showcases quartet of longtime industry allies

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Photos by Tom Wilson, writer/editor-Penn College News

A corporate takeover of the friendliest kind was waged Friday at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, where Caterpillar dealers – whose benevolent interest in Penn College's Tomorrow Makers is as noticeable as the company's yellow and black color scheme – brought equipment, recruitment and nourishment to the diesel, heavy equipment and power generation programs.

Taking part in the well-organized "CAT Day" were four proven partners in higher education: Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co., Foley Inc., H.O. Penn Machinery Co. Inc. and Milton CAT. Throughout the morning, nine faculty members and their classes rotated among a series of interactive and informative stations, before breaking for lunch and student visits with those prospective employers.

A "must-do" for students circulating among the day's many activities was this simulator from H.O. Penn. Trying his hand, while classmates await their turn at the controls, is Luke R. Klinfelter, a diesel technology student from Spring Mills.
A "must-do" for students circulating among the day's many activities was this simulator from H.O. Penn. Trying his hand, while classmates await their turn at the controls, is Luke R. Klinfelter, a diesel technology student from Spring Mills.
Foley's Chris Collins (left center), a corporate technical recruiter, and Jon Wilson, service shop manager, satisfy inquisitive students with answers and a table full of giveaways.
Foley's Chris Collins (left center), a corporate technical recruiter, and Jon Wilson, service shop manager, satisfy inquisitive students with answers and a table full of giveaways.
H.O. Penn brought along a Tier 4 emissions training engine on which groups of students were challenged to identify as many components as possible.
H.O. Penn brought along a Tier 4 emissions training engine on which groups of students were challenged to identify as many components as possible.
As part of a Cleveland Brothers activity, Isaac C. Cory uses a refractometer to test Diesel Exhaust Fluid quality. Cory, the Wildcats' first-ever Division III national qualifier in wrestling, is working toward an associate degree in electric power generation technology: diesel emphasis.
As part of a Cleveland Brothers activity, Isaac C. Cory uses a refractometer to test Diesel Exhaust Fluid quality. Cory, the Wildcats' first-ever Division III national qualifier in wrestling, is working toward an associate degree in electric power generation technology: diesel emphasis.
Sunlight trickles through the trees behind the ESC faculty parking lot, where H.O. Penn representatives were among those meeting with students. From left are Steven Skeen, technical communicator; Mary Krieger-Bajana, human resource generalist; and Jessica Loeffler, corporate recruiter.
Sunlight trickles through the trees behind the ESC faculty parking lot, where H.O. Penn representatives were among those meeting with students. From left are Steven Skeen, technical communicator; Mary Krieger-Bajana, human resource generalist; and Jessica Loeffler, corporate recruiter.
Marcayla M. Lutzkanin, working as a Cleveland Brothers technician while pursuing a May 2024 bachelor's degree in applied management, provides peer-to-peer advice on behalf of her employer. She already has earned associate degrees in diesel technology and heavy construction equipment technology: Caterpillar emphasis.
Marcayla M. Lutzkanin, working as a Cleveland Brothers technician while pursuing a May 2024 bachelor's degree in applied management, provides peer-to-peer advice on behalf of her employer. She already has earned associate degrees in diesel technology and heavy construction equipment technology: Caterpillar emphasis.
Former faculty member John D. Motto, now a service training manager for Milton CAT in Massachusetts, returns to the classroom for a lesson in schematics.
Former faculty member John D. Motto, now a service training manager for Milton CAT in Massachusetts, returns to the classroom for a lesson in schematics.
The Cleveland Brothers team includes a Chuck Wagon, where preparation started early to cook burgers and dogs for an endlessly hungry clientele.
The Cleveland Brothers team includes a Chuck Wagon, where preparation started early to cook burgers and dogs for an endlessly hungry clientele.
Milton CAT's Kathryn Herbert, a senior workforce development specialist, helps job-hunters explore their options.
Milton CAT's Kathryn Herbert, a senior workforce development specialist, helps job-hunters explore their options.
Ric Rodriguez, a condition monitoring analyst at H.O. Penn, equips students with real-world troubleshooting tips.
Ric Rodriguez, a condition monitoring analyst at H.O. Penn, equips students with real-world troubleshooting tips.
 Lines quickly form for mealtime by the arboretum ...
Lines quickly form for mealtime by the arboretum ...
... where students made use of all available "table" space for an impromptu picnic lunch.
... where students made use of all available "table" space for an impromptu picnic lunch.
Tracy Howard – a power systems technician from Milton CAT's Batavia, N.Y., location – leveraged his engineering background into a career at Milton CAT, gaining experience that he selflessly shared with students in a lab on Friday.
Tracy Howard – a power systems technician from Milton CAT's Batavia, N.Y., location – leveraged his engineering background into a career at Milton CAT, gaining experience that he selflessly shared with students in a lab on Friday.
 Alumnus Louis DiDonato ('00, heavy construction equipment technology: Caterpillar emphasis) dialogues with students in his role as a technical communicator for Foley.
Alumnus Louis DiDonato ('00, heavy construction equipment technology: Caterpillar emphasis) dialogues with students in his role as a technical communicator for Foley.