Penn College welders advance to national competition
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor
Four Pennsylvania College of Technology welding students advanced to the SkillsUSA National Championships by winning state titles yesterday in competitions conducted at the college.
The three-person Penn College fabrication team – Clayton J. Fegley, of McClure; Sam R. Laudenslager, of Middleburg; and Tyler C. Martin, of Selinsgrove – and Liam W. Patton, of Apollo, secured spots at nationals with first-place showings.
The fabrication contest required the team to build a material storage basket. In the individual competition, Patton had to complete various projects using different welding methods.
The Penn College trio begin forming their winning storage basket for the fabrication challenge. From left are Sam R. Laudenslager, Tyler C. Martin and Clayton J. Fegley.
“I am proud of our fabrication team and Liam for winning state championships and qualifying for nationals. It can be difficult to perform at a high level when you’re working under time limits in a very competitive environment. It’s gratifying to see Penn College students not only meet that challenge but excel in doing so,” said James N. Colton II, assistant professor of welding and the college’s SkillsUSA adviser.
Nearly 50 high school and college students from throughout the state vied for a shot at nationals in the college’s welding lab.
The students’ work was judged by representatives from several companies, including BAE Systems Inc., ESAB Corp., Fronius USA LLC, High Steel Structures LLC, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Philly Shipyard Inc. and TJL Petroleum & Fabricating LLC.
Miller Electric (Millionaires Society, $1,000,000+), Fronius (Golden Society, $500,000-$999,999), ESAB and High Steel (both Visionary Society, $100,000-$499,999), and Philly Shipyard (Heritage Society, $50,000-$99,999) are recognized on the college’s Donor Wall.
The SkillsUSA National Championships will feature more than 6,500 state champions competing in 114 skilled and leadership categories. The event is scheduled for June in Atlanta.
Penn College’s Liam W. Patton inspects his work area …
before starting the cutting process and punching his ticket to nationals.
Sparks fly from these high school competitors.
The “Pipe Alley” section of the welding lab serves as home for the fabrication team competition.
Industry judges include (at left) 2008 Penn College alumnus Randy Gery, a senior welding engineer at BAE Systems, and Sean Moran, a welding engineer at American Hydro.
SkillsUSA demands attention to detail.