WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Engaging emissaries from Pennsylvania College of Technology will again be part of the winter celebration of the commonwealth’s agriculture industry and those whose lives and livelihoods depend on it.
Students and employees from the college will travel to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg from Jan. 6-13 for a variety of activities that reflect this year’s theme of “Connecting Our Communities.”
The expo’s 108th incarnation will feature such fan favorites as the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, food court, youth showmanship, sheep shearing (among hundreds of other competitive events), more than 1 million square feet of hands-on educational opportunities and enlightening encounters with the people who power Pennsylvania's vast farming enterprise.
“Penn College is always pleased to participate in the Pennsylvania Farm Show, as it offers the perfect opportunity to focus on the many ways in which our graduates and degree programs connect to the commonwealth’s needs,” said Anthony J. Pace, dean of enrollment and academic operations. “The event highlights incredible innovation across a variety of critical industries in which our students often seek employment upon graduation, making it an ideal location to expose the college’s offerings to the next generation of tomorrow makers.”
The college’s participation throughout the distinctive event begins with cooking demonstrations by students from the School of Business, Arts & Sciences; and Chefs Michael J. Ditchfield, a part-time faculty member in culinary arts; and Mike S. Dinan, who is moving from his chef de cuisine position to serve as executive chef in the on-campus Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.
They will spend the Farm Show’s initial days at the sprawling 2300 N. Cameron St. site joined by alumni chefs and other locally and nationally acclaimed chefs on the Pennsylvania Preferred Culinary Connection stage, where a Student Cooking Challenge will also take place at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Penn College students will be joined by 2017 culinary arts & systems alumnus Robert E. Wood, executive chef at the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen Community Restaurant in Toms River, New Jersey (noon Saturday); and 2012 baking & pastry arts alumna Alisha M. Howell Summa, owner of Lynn Sandy's Bakery in Scranton (2 p.m. Sunday).
During the evening hours, staff from many areas of the college – Admissions, Alumni Relations, Center for Academic Excellence, College Relations, Enrollment & Academic Operations, and Public Relations & Marketing – will greet visitors at Booth No. 2406 in the Giant Expo Hall, and the college’s three academic schools will oversee a rotating schedule of daytime projects during the agricultural showcase:
Saturday, Jan. 6, and Sunday, Jan. 7
The college's emergency management & homeland security major, along with elements of civil engineering technology, will be highlighted in a flood-mitigation activity.
Monday, Jan. 8
Attention turns to diesel technology and heavy construction equipment technology, as each interested guest will be allowed a hands-on spin to see how a final drive works and can move a driveshaft to different angles for an up-close look at the resultant difference in vibration.
Tuesday, Jan. 9
A horticulture display will spark question-and-answer sessions, with plants as giveaways.
Wednesday, Jan. 10
The role of physician assistants in surgical subspecialties will be underscored, culminating in an interactive laparoscopic surgery simulation.
Thursday, Jan. 11
Staff from Veterans & Military Services will be on hand for “Honoring Our Heroes Day” to conduct an activity, and to provide information on Penn College’s veterans community and the educational benefits afforded its members.
Friday, Jan. 12
Furthering a trend that has been popular since soon after the birth of the automobile – personalizing vehicles with custom painting and pinstriping – collision repair technology faculty will oversee an airbrush activity using a stencil of an eagle and the latest water-based paint technology.
Saturday, Jan. 13
The show's final day will feature additive manufacturing and polymer engineering. In addition to presentations on polymer sustainability, the booth will include a demo of 3D printing and a benchtop thermoforming exercise.
Admission is free, although there is a $15 fee for parking on-site. The Pennsylvania Cable Network will provide coverage, marking its 30th year of bringing Farm Show events to viewers.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.