The Forestry Club at Pennsylvania College of Technology has donated $1,000 to a scholarship fund established on behalf of a former longtime instructor.
The club was the beneficiary of prize money won by Derek P. Bailey of New Tripoli, who placed fifth overall during the Aug. 5 to 8 Stihl Timbersports Collegiate Invitational competition in Augusta, N.J. Bailey, who represents the fifth generation in his family's logging business, graduated from Penn College in May with an associate degree in forest technology.
Bailey and his father, Rick, were on hand for a recent gathering at the college's Schneebeli Earth Science Center, as members of the Forestry Club donated the $1,000 to the Carl W. Hill Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund was begun in 1984 in honor of a longtime forest technology instructor and is awarded each fall to a second-year student in that major, one of many offered through the School of Natural Resources Management.
Also attending the ceremony was Bruce Richards of Wagner Hardwoods, Cayuta, N.Y., who began the scholarship fund in honor of his mentor.
"Carl encouraged me to go into the business," he said. "I wanted to recognize what he did for me, and hopefully provide a benefit to others." Richards was joined at the Earth Science Center by two plant managers from his successful and expanding business, David Slusser and Kevin Pudney, and he toured the 358-acre facility, which includes a working sawmill, with an eye toward hiring future graduates.
Noting the changing nature of his work force through increased automation and the need for high-tech operators, Richards said he welcomed the opportunity to meet with faculty and "learn what we had to learn to get access to your students" at the end of their Penn College education.
Dennis F. Ringling, professor of forestry and club adviser, said the students' donation is a commendable byproduct of their involvement with the Penn College community.
"Club activities afford our students many opportunities to grow beyond their curriculum," he said.
"This is important, because employers are very interested in the leadership and management potential shown through such extracurricular activities."
As part of his visit, Bailey also spoke to one of Ringling's classes. Alumni of Penn College's eight academic schools often return to campus to discuss with current students employers' expectations in the workplace.
For more information about academic programs offered by the School of Natural Resources Management at Penn College, call (570) 320-8038, send e-mail to naturalresources@pct.edu or visit http://www.pct.edu/schools/nrm/
Criteria for the Carl W. Hill Memorial Scholarship, as well as others offered through Penn College, are available online at http://www.pct.edu/scholarships/