Penn College

Penn College to showcase ‘degrees that work’ at Pennsylvania Farm Show

Student Kassandra Sellinger, a culinary arts and systems student from Linden, and Chef Mike Ditchfield perform a cooking demonstration on the Culinary Connection stage at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January 2016. Credit: Pennsylvania College of Technology / Penn State. Creative Commons

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive entries and 300 commercial exhibits — and more than 100 rewarding career pathways uniquely represented by Pennsylvania College of Technology — will be on display as America’s largest indoor agricultural exposition celebrates its 101st anniversary next month.

In what has become a New Year’s custom, the college will show off its prestigious “degrees that work” from Jan. 7-14 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, where visitors can get a participatory glimpse at a rewarding future.

“Attending the PA Farm Show is a beloved tradition for Penn College. During the weeklong event, Admissions, Alumni Relations and Academic Affairs will showcase all of the amazing opportunities that await students on our campuses,” said Claire Z. Biggs, coordinator of admissions events and services.

“We hope that, through our hands-on activities, students, alumni and families will learn why we have so much Penn College Pride! We can’t wait to meet all of the Farm Show guests this year and share what makes applied technology education so special.”

The following is a schedule of the college’s participation:

Saturday, Jan. 7, to Wednesday, Jan. 11

Faculty and staff from the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies will supervise visitors' operation of a simulated system of heavy-duty truck brakes with equipment used by Penn College diesel technology and heavy construction equipment technology students. The interactive display — 16 feet wide when its three pieces are assembled — authentically represents a working system: Guests will see how the air-operated brakes can be applied and released, and can create anti-lock brake fault codes and connect a diagnostic computer to troubleshoot a failed wheel-speed sensor.

Saturday, Jan. 7, to Monday, Jan. 9

Students and faculty from the School of Business & Hospitality will conduct cooking demonstrations on the Culinary Connection stage Jan. 7 at 11 a.m. and noon, Jan. 8 at 4 p.m., and Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. (The latter presentation on Jan. 7 will feature Lance A. Smith, a 2006 alumnus of the college's culinary arts technology major.) Penn College students will compete on stage in the Student Cooking Challenge at 5 p.m. on Jan. 8.

Thursday, Jan. 12

Through the "Robot Light Challenge,” the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies will promote the marketable industrial skills represented by the college's electronics and computer engineering technology: robotics and automation emphasis degree. The audience will be able to see the interfacing and communications skills students are able to incorporate between a robot and a programmable logic controller.

Friday, Jan. 13

Young (and young-at-heart) builders will have the opportunity to assemble a child-size toolbox from precut pieces, getting an early start on exploring construction careers and gaining a functional souvenir to carry around the Farm Show.

Saturday, Jan. 14

The School of Health Sciences will employ three-dimensional simulation technology to replicate a laparoscopic appendectomy, affording Farm Show guests a hands-on look at a typical day for a surgical technologist. An additional 3-D activity — “Meet Mr. Bones” — will highlight the physician assistant major by sharing fundamental knowledge of human anatomy and piquing youngsters’ curiosity about the sciences. And another interactive display will let visitors “look into” the inner components of the eye.

In addition, the Admissions Office will have representatives at the college’s booth from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily throughout the Farm Show.

For information about the college, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

Last Updated December 16, 2016