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The Pennsylvania College of Technology will be the recipient $1.4 million from Coterra Energy as part of an expanded Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) program, according to a news release from the college.
The funds will be used for the renovation and expansion of labs and instructional spaces in its electrical and architecture & sustainable design programs. It will also be used to generate scholarships for veterans and first responders from Camp Freedom.
Rick Siger, DCED Secretary, announced the approval of $36 million through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), which provides tax credits to businesses that contribute to nonprofit organizations’ efforts to revitalize communities. Statewide, the funding supports 261 projects, including 34 in the central region.
Penn College’s NAP funding partner is Coterra Energy, which has supported a number of initiatives at the college, including Penn College Dual Enrollment.
The renovations/expansions for the electrical and architecture & sustainable design programs will receive $666,666 each from the NAP initiative. Coterra is providing funds additional to the $500,000 in tax credits awarded by the commonwealth. The scholarship funding, $75,000, will allow for the awarding of 15 one-time $5,000 scholarships to Camp Freedom veterans and first responders. The total benefit to the college is $1,408,332.
“We are most grateful to Coterra Energy for partnering with us on this significant Neighborhood Assistance Program initiative, which will allow us to enhance labs and instructional spaces — and the overall student learning experience — in two popular academic programs, while expanding enrollment capacities for each,” said Penn College President Michael J. Reed. “Additionally, we are able to provide valuable scholarship assistance to veterans and first responders — two very deserving student populations.”
Penn College’s electrical program enrolls 225 students, the college’s fifth-largest program cluster. Construction for the electrical renovation will begin in February 2024, with substantial completion expected by Aug. 31, 2024.
The architecture & sustainable design program’s current enrollment is 102. The renovation will expand capacity by 39 students, double the size of studio spaces, separate instructional space from studio space, create a second jury space and create two additional computer labs.
The work will include renovating existing labs, adding 15 electrical construction stations, expanding the motor control lab, adding 16 motor control panels and expanding a new industrial electrical construction lab. Improved features include higher ceilings, the ability to work on scissor lifts and expanding workstations with the aim of creating a true-to-industry environment. New equipment for the existing and expanded labs is also part of the project’s scope.
Each student will have their own studio desk with 24/7 access: a component of the accreditation process. The changes will enhance the student learning experience and increase the chances of National Architectural Accrediting Board accreditation, propelling students toward architecture licensures and contributing to higher salaries earlier in their careers, information from the college stated.
Penn College’s architecture program offers an associate degree in architecture, a bachelor’s degree in architecture & sustainable design, and a Bachelor of Architecture — a five-year degree alternative to the bachelor’s-plus-master’s-degree pathway.
The architecture & sustainable design curriculum emphasizes sustainability and energy efficiency, promoting the concept of “passive survivability” within building designs — meaning that buildings can be designed and created to better perform and withstand situations involving loss of power that might occur during an outage or a potential natural disaster, the release from the college stated.
Construction for the architecture project began in September. Substantial completion is expected by April 30, 2024. The program is moving from the Hager Lifelong Education Center to the Klump Academic Center on campus.
The college is providing additional funds for the projects. The total project budget for electrical is $1,944,536; for architecture & sustainable design, it’s $1,090,537.
The scholarship component of the NAP funding benefits veterans and first responders (and their families) from Camp Freedom in Lackawanna County, a nonprofit organization and outdoor adventure healing camp. The camp also promotes the social well-being of participants through peer-to-peer interaction.
“Coterra is steadfast in our commitment to workforce development and educational excellence,” said George Stark, director of external affairs at Coterra.
“We strive to partner with institutions that are making a positive difference in the lives of their students and communities. Pennsylvania College of Technology is a phenomenal organization that truly reflects this vision. Their mission of preparing students for meaningful careers is second to none. We are proud of our investment in their bright future,” he said.
Chair of the college’s board State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-23 commented on the award of funds.
“The Neighborhood Assistance Program allows businesses, community members and organizations to work together to revitalize our neighborhoods and improve access to job opportunities, affordable housing, and quality education and technical training,” Yaw said.
“This impactful investment will provide funding to PCT’s student-focused initiatives to expand and renovate electrical labs, advance the architecture & sustainable design program, and provide vital scholarships for area veterans and first responders,” he added.
According to Mayor Derek Slaughter, “The enhancements to Penn College’s electrical and architecture & sustainable design programs, which have been made possible by the Neighborhood Assistance Program expansion announced yesterday, will have a positive impact on local employers and on this area’s economy. The accompanying scholarships will benefit the significant veteran and military population residing within our region.”
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