Welding students take top two places in Philly Shipyard competition

Pennsylvania College of Technology students posted a one-two finish in the Project MFG Maritime Welding Competition held Wednesday at the Philadelphia Shipyard.

Patrick C. Evanko, of Columbus, New Jersey, placed first, and Nikolas J. Harnish, of Newmanstown, earned second-place honors after competing against 18 other welding students from other institutions. Both were invited by the American Welding Society to represent Penn College at the event; they are pursuing bachelor's degrees in welding & fabrication engineering technology and are heavily involved in the college's AWS student chapter.

Contestants were provided a blueprint, materials and a welding procedure specification to construct a miniature submarine from mild steel using gas metal arc welding in a two-hour time frame. Evanko's first prize was a $1,200 AWS Scholarship, welding helmet, various tools and personal protective equipment.
 
The students also had the opportunity to network with about a dozen area employers, tour the Philly Ship Repair drydock, and board a cargo vessel that was stationed at the dock for repairs, according to welding instructor Steve J. Kopera, who accompanied them.