A 20-member contingent from Pennsylvania College of Technology gathers for a group photo in Fort Collins, Colorado, during the group’s recent trip to the 49th annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition. The Penn College landscape/plant production technology students placed 18th out of 54 competing schools. Chaperoning were Carl J. Bower Jr., second from left, assistant professor of horticulture; and landscape alumna and Residence Life staff member Sophia G. Wiest, seated at center in white-rimmed sunglasses. (Photo provided.)
Pennsylvania College of Technology landscape/plant production technology students are reaping the rewards they earned at the 49th annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition, held recently at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Penn College’s contingent of 18 students achieved an excellent showing in the three-day event, placing 18th out of 54 schools, thanks to top finishes by seven students.
One Penn College student – Cale J. Rice, of Julian – was awarded the RM Landscape & Lemke Family Scholarship of $1,000 through the National Association of Landscape Professionals Foundation.
“I am so grateful for having attended the 49th annual NCLC event and for those that helped make it possible,” Rice said. “It was so inspiring to meet so many individuals that all share similar passions and then to sharpen our skills together through competitions. Not to mention the chance to network with so many well-known companies as we establish ourselves. It was such a good time with great people, beautiful scenery and much learning.”
Penn College students attaining top-15 finishes were: Luke C. Miller, Wexford, second in the Tractor Loader Backhoe competition; Mickey D. Malec, Roaring Brook Township, third in Compact Excavator; Steven K. Thompson Jr., Garnet Valley, fifth in Small Engine Repair and sixth in Irrigation Assembly; Tyler J. Dinatale, Mohnton, fifth in Construction Cost Estimation; Peyton E. James, Orwigsburg, sixth in Irrigation Assembly; Gretchen A. Kellar, Butler, 14th in Computer-Aided Landscape Design; and Saudiah Wells, Williamsport, 15th in Sales Presentation.
“Being able to take students to this contest is always a joy,” said Carl J. Bower Jr., assistant professor of horticulture. “Getting to see them excel in what they are passionate about, learn more about themselves and their field, and meet and network with students and industry leaders from across the country is just part of the thrill. Also, taking them to parts of the country they have never been to is an education all to itself. The team and I are deeply grateful for the support of our friends, family, industry partners and, of course, the college, for making this trip a success.”
At the event, Bower accepted recognition of the landscape/plant production program’s re-accreditation. (An accreditation team from the National Association of Landscape Professionals visited campus in Fall 2024 to talk to faculty, staff, administration, students and alumni and review the program’s self-study, as part of its re-accreditation process.)
Also making the journey from Pennsylvania to Colorado were students Jared E. Andrews, Perkasie; Zaia M. Huffman, Canton; Levi J. Kurtz, Hazle Township; Cohen W.A. Logue, Shiremanstown; Gavin Millett, Milton; Luis Rodriguez, Danville; Diane Y. Saylor, Pennsylvania Furnace; Jake A. Seasock, Lancaster; Catherine Sherbin, Malvern; and Rori K. Walker, Richfield.
The students are all members of the Penn College Horticulture Club.
Also accompanying the group was Sophia G. Wiest, a Penn College residence life coordinator and landscape/plant production graduate.
The annual NCLC competition is considered a powerhouse event, bringing together the nation’s top landscape and horticulture students and the biggest industry manufacturers and suppliers, as well as leading companies in the field.
For more information on Penn College’s Associate of Applied Science degree in landscape/plant production technology, visit the School of Engineering Technologies or call 570-327-4520.
For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.