“Accelerated Learning,” the 1959 B-61 Model Mack drag truck operated by the Diesel Performance Club of Pennsylvania College of Technology, notched a second-place finish at the East Coast Truck Nationals, held recently at Numidia Dragway in Columbia County. It was an impressive showing for the truck’s first sanctioned, competitive event.
It may be summer, but Penn College’s Diesel Performance Club and its 1959 B-61 Model Mack drag truck (nicknamed “Accelerated Learning”) are not taking any time off. They’re geared up for the East Coast Truck Nationals, set for this Saturday, June 22, at Numidia Dragway in Columbia County.
Penn College hosted its final Dual Enrollment student visit for 2023-24 at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, the first time the event has been held solely on that campus. Forty-four students and five chaperones traveled from Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center, and Wellsboro Area High School.
Penn College's Diesel Performance Club and its 1959 B-61 Model Mack drag truck were revved up to return to Motorama, the annual motorsports extravaganza held Feb. 17-18 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. The students enjoyed sharing their passion for Penn College and its diesel technology major with event attendees and showing off their treasured truck. With more than 5,000 participants and 50,000 motorsport spectators, there was plenty of networking to do.
Twenty-eight participants from nearly a dozen career and technical education centers vied for glory in the diesel competition at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center, representing the readily attainable possibilities that await those pursuing an applied technology education. Berks Career & Technology Center (heavy equipment) won first place overall and received $5,000 in training funds courtesy of Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Inc.
The Penn College Motorsports Association's annual Trunk or Treat, postponed by rain a week earlier, showed that the Halloween spirit didn't diminish with November's arrival. "It was a great event and we are looking forward to doing it again next year," said PCMA President Alex Riddle, of Kingston, an automotive restoration student (and May graduate in automotive technology).
Halloween arrived early at Penn College, where assorted members of the Wildcat "Boo!" crew satisfied sweet-tooth dreams and opened the door to their darker counterparts. Ushering in the shadowy midnight hour were Student Engagement's Fall Fest on Oct. 21 (moved indoors due to foul weather) and Wildcat Costume Party on Oct. 28, the American Welding Society student chapter's ghastly (and annually anticipated) Arc Asylum, and Residence Life's beloved Trick or Treat Night at The Village on Oct. 29.
For 25 years, a vintage Mack road tractor – appropriately nicknamed “Accelerated Learning" – has served as a rolling lab that continually reflects the latest industry technology available to diesel students at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center. And while there have been periods of highs and lows in enthusiasm during that quarter-century of transforming the vehicle into a drag truck, the current level of excitement and activity is off the charts.
While the forecast delivered on its soggy promise, Wildcat Weekend proved as indestructible as any rock-solid tradition. So a couple of events were moved and a few feet got wet; no big deal. What IS consequential is that students and their families, alumni and employees enjoyed three days (and nights) of exciting events steeped in Penn College Pride.
The institution’s earliest tinkerers and innovators returned to campus recently for the 20th annual Williamsport Technical Institute Reunion.
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