PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Pennsylvania College of Technology Foundation, Inc.

12/2/2021

One College Ave. Williamsport, PA 17701

(570)320-8001

E-mail csm24@pct.edu Website https://give.pct.edu EIN

23-2186644

Person to Contact Regarding this Proposal:

Chris Macdonald, Assistant Director of Corporate Relations

Phone Number/E-mail Address:(570) 320-8001 csm24@pct.edu

Amount Requested: 30,000 Total Project Budget: 30,000

Total Department Budget: 1,711,438

The Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn College) Foundation greatly appreciates the support for Penn College students through its long-standing partnership with the RPM Foundation (and its predecessor organizations). The Penn College Foundation respectfully requests a grant in the amount of $30,000 for annual scholarship funds to support students completing their certificate in Automotive Restoration.

These scholarship funds will support six (6) students in the Automotive Restoration Certificate for the 2022-23 academic year. Students will enroll in this certificate from four paths: graduates of our Collision Repair Technology (A.A.S.), graduates of our Automotive Technology (A.A.S.), students enrolled in our Automotive Technology Management (B.S.), or as a stand-alone, oneyear program. Awards will be $5,000 of support and will be distributed as a $2,500 award in the fall semester and a $2,500 award in the spring semester.

Scholarship funds will provide $5,000 of support to Automotive Restoration Technology students who: (1)Are enrolled full-time in Automotive Restoration (2)Have financial need, and (3)Have a minimum of 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale

Upon full award, six (6) students completing Automotive Restoration will directly benefit from the scholarships. The estimated annual tuition at Penn College is nearly $30,000 for in-state and just over $37,000 for out-of-state students (Fall 2021: includes cost of books, tools and uniform). A variety of ages enroll because students have four tracks to complete the program: (1) One year, stand-alone Automotive Restoration certificate allowing high school graduates or incumbent workers seeking a career change, (2) Completion of the Collision Repair Technology (A.A.S.), (3) Completion of the Automotive Technology (A.A.S.), or (4) As a compliment to the Automotive Management Technology (B.S.)

The purpose of the Penn College Foundation is to support the mission of Penn College, primarily by raising scholarship funds for Penn College students in all majors. If the RPM Foundation were to award part of the request, the number of students who would receive scholarships would be decreased or the scholarship amount per student would be decreased. Scholarship funds are raised from individuals and organizations for Automotive Restoration students year-round through face-to-face interactions and grant applications. The Foundation will continue to pursue additional opportunities to raise scholarship funds in an effort to positively impact as many Automotive Restoration students as possible.

Through the curriculum that is built on the oldest, continuously operating automotive programs in the country, Penn College Automotive Restoration students learn to apply specialized restoration skills in the repair and maintenance of vintage vehicles. The curriculum emphasizes research, structural, mechanical, electrical, and refinishing skills focusing on: basic painting and classical paint, non-structural repairs, woodworking, sheet metal forming, upholstery installation, custom machining, fabrication, welding, fit and finish, antique mechanical and electrical systems, and automotive research. The fine attention to detail expected by collectors, museums, and contest judges is also emphasized. Projects involve extensive restoration on select 1900-1972 automobiles with additional work on a variety of antique and classic chassis and components intended to develop an appreciation and transferability of skills necessary for the various facets of the restoration industry. The certificate provides students a minimum of 460 hours in restoration and a minimum of 160 hours in preservation. Internships and extracurricular involvement (at industry and association events) add to these hours.

Penn College Automotive Restoration program develops skilled graduates through its 3 to 1 ratio of hands-on advanced technology instruction to theory. Our students gain practical experience through the program curriculum and summer internship opportunities. Our students have participated in many national shows, such as the Concours D'Elegance at Pebble Beach and Amelia Island, and their entries have won awards at these events. These events have allowed our program and students to develop a robust network of industry connections. These relationships have allowed for many automobile donations to the College for our students to restore. From a 1908 Studebaker to a 1966 Ford Thunderbird, they learn about the history, detail to precision, and importance these cars have on the industry. We are proud to have our graduates work at many notable shops, work with private collections, provide content to automotive publications and even open their own restoration shops. The following are some examples of these successes. We currently have four alumni working at three RPM recognized shops. Adam Davis, a recipient of RPM scholarship funding, works at the RB Collection in Allentown. Mike Krukowski is working at The Creative Workshop in Dania Beach, FL. Alex Levan and Chris Bahr are working at the NB Center for American Automotive Heritage in Allentown. A former employee at the RB Collection, Riley Muhl has moved on to work as restorer for a private collector with an extensive inventory of vehicles. A current student and scholarship recipient, Max Epsom, spent this past summer interning at Rob Ida Concepts in New Jersey. He first came to Penn College when he attended our Automotive Restoration summer camp as a high school student. As a result of that experience, he enrolled in Collision Repair Technology and earned his associate’s degree spring ‘21. He is now utilizing those skills to achieve his Automotive Restoration Certificate and make his passion his career. Graham Spina, another current student, is interviewing with Wayne Carini for an internship at his F40 Motorsports facility. graham was introduced to Mr. Carini when Penn College attended the Hershey's Antique Automobile Club of America Car Show in October. Graham's goal is to go to work at the Peterson Museum. He is very skilled in automotive photography and has had photos shown in Car & Culture Magazine as well as Hop-Up Magazine.

Office: 2702 East D Street, Tacoma, WA98421 | Toll Free: 855.537.4579 | Email: info@rpm.foundation | Website: www.rpm.foundation

Description

Building on its heritage as the oldest, continuously operating automotive program in the nation, Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn College) offers a dynamic and expedited college-level vintage vehicle restoration program of study – Automotive Restoration Certificate. This credential– specializing in automotive restoration and preservation – is found in only a handful of colleges in the nation.

Automotive Restoration Technology is available as a one-year certificate. The program offers students all of the fundamental skills necessary to succeed in this industry. With the focus of increasing enrollment pathways for students (while minimizing educational expenses incurred), a new curriculum and structure was introduced this past July via four educational tracks: 1. Students may pursue Automotive Restoration as a stand-alone, one-year certificate program with the required internship completed the summer after the second semester; 2. Students may pursue Automotive Restoration after completion of Collision Repair Technology (A.A.S.) with the required internship completed the summer before or after the certificate; 3. Students may pursue Automotive Restoration after completion of Automotive Technology (A.A.S.) with the required internship completed the summer before or after the certificate. 4. Students may pursue Automotive Restoration in conjunction with their pursuit of the Automotive Technology Management (B.S.) with the required internship completed the summer before or after the certificate.

Penn College continuously evaluates and assesses program delivery to ensure students are positioned to meet workforce needs. The program is designed to greater foster interest in the automotive restoration industry, while providing a broader base of students with the skill sets needed to supply workforce demands.

RPM Foundation, Inc. and Penn College

Penn College is grateful to be a partner with the RPM Foundation, Inc. (RPM) and its predecessor organizations. The support of RPM in 2012 (as the Collectors Foundation) through a generous grant, enabled Penn College to purchase priority start-up equipment and provide faculty professional development for Automotive Restoration Technology.

Since then, RPM has generously contributed more than $160,000 in scholarship and gap funds (internship and apprenticeship) to Penn College and Penn College students. The success of Penn College students to complete their degree and pursue their passion of restoring and perpetuating the interest of antique automobiles has been a direct result of these funds, and has made a lasting impact on their future in the industry. We are immensely grateful to RPM for the support given to Penn College students and continue to rely on industry partnerships to sustain this curriculum.

Penn College Automotive Restoration Highlights

The restoration industry is dependent on the hands-on technical skills of professionals. The Automotive Restoration program at Penn College has gained national recognition through award winning restorations completed by our students. We are recognized by a number of area automotive clubs for the work our students produce. Their experience earned through the program and internship opportunities has enabled them to restore their own project vehicles, and work for nationally recognized restoration shops. The following are some highlights of our Automotive Restoration program.

Penn College’s Automotive Restoration program receives scholarship support from area Volkswagen Club

The Harrisburg Area Volkswagen Owner’s Club has again donated funds toward a scholarship for automotive restoration students at Pennsylvania College of technology. This year’s $2,000 check marks the fifth time that the organization – formed in 1992 and recognized as one of the oldest continually operating VW clubs on the East Coast – has contributed to the scholarship fund since it was established in 2017. Awards from the Harrisburg Area Volkswagen Owners Club Scholarship fund are meant for full-time students in the automotive restoration major who carry a minimum GPA of 2.5.

“The support from HAVOC is essential to the students’ pursuit of their certificate in automotive restoration,” said Roy H. Klinger, co-department head for collision repair technology and lead faculty member for restoration. “Their recognition of our program and the importance of instructing the future workforce of this industry through this scholarship has a great impact on our students. It has been a pleasure getting to know their members over the years.” Klinger was invited by club President Deb Cyrus to the club’s fall picnic at Fort Hunter Park, Harrisburg, to receive the check and connect with HAVOC members.

“We have had a lot of fun events throughout the years, but are also proud and honored to make a difference with the charitable contributions we are able to give due to our successful Volkfest shows,” Cyrus said. The first Volkfest, bringing together VW enthusiasts to showcase their vehicles and celebrate the Volkswagen’s part in the automotive industry, was held in 1993 at what was then Autohaus in Harrisburg. The event was moved to the Campbelltown Volunteer Fire Co. grounds in the early 2000s, then in 2013 to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in Mount Hope.

“Penn College is extremely fortunate to have the Harrisburg Area Volkswagen Owners Club as partners of our automotive restoration program. Their support allows our students to develop their skills in restoration and carry on the tradition of honoring the craftsmanship and detailed beauty of classic cars,” said Chris S. Macdonald, assistant director of corporate relations. “We greatly appreciate all of their hard work to provide this scholarship award.”

Student makes work “personal” in restoration of his “dream” vehicle

Anthony Maguschak entered the Automotive Restoration Certificate program this fall after earning his Associates’ degree in Automotive Technology. His passion for cars led him to enroll in Penn College. He has also always had an interest in Jeeps. The two converged when he purchased a 1995 Jeep Wrangler that needed substantial restorations. The entire flooring was in disrepair, and Anthony, assisted by fellow restoration student, Grayson Watkins, used the skills and resources provided to him from the program to transform his “dream” vehicle. Grayson came to Penn College to earn his certificate as a stand-alone degree.

The project required them to remove the existing floor due to the comprise of its original structural integrity. A complete floor measurement layout was completed. They then constructed an entirely new floor with the materials and metal fabrication tools available in the restoration workshop. The new floor was then seal coated and painted in one of our three dedicated paint labs. They ensured that all factory specifications were met to bring the vehicle back to its original condition. Anthony was inspired by the fact that he was able to utilize the skills he has learned to transform his jeep and share the experience with a fellow classmate. Their efforts were for more than just credit. They were personal, and Anthony will have more than just a degree.

Rob Ida Concepts internship provides student an opportunity to incorporate his skills

Maxwell Empson is combining his Collision Repair Technology Associates degree with a certificate in Automotive Restoration. He is also a recipient of RPM Foundation scholarship and GAP awards. This past summer he completed his required internship with Rob Ida Concepts in Morganville, New Jersey. This experience allowed Maxwell to participate in a number of restoration projects on a variety of vehicles. His experience in Penn College’s Collision Repair program provided him with the necessary foundations that he has enhanced through our Automotive Restoration certificate program. He was able to translate these skills into a successful summer at Rob Ida’s acclaimed shop.

He collaborated on a 1937 Chevrolet restoration, pictured here. He fabricated the aluminum heatshield for the engine compartment and assisted in a majority of reassembly process.

Max worked on a 1962 Ford Falcon race car that was in mid-restoration. He refinished all of the plexiglass panels on the car including the front and rear windshields, door windows and quarter windows. He also helped to repaint the interior trim. The vehicle was still in the process of completion when his internship ended.

Another key component to restoration is the proper tear-down of a vehicle and cataloging of all of the parts. Max completed a majority of this process on a 1940 Ford. He completely stripped the body and chassis of the vehicle. All parts were tagged accordingly and bagged as each was removed. They were then stored in a dedicated are for the project so that they could be easily accessed during the restoration process.

Max also was involved in the fabrication of fenders for the Tucker Carioca concept car. This vehicle was never built before the car maker closed its doors. He used the wood fender buck shown to shape the aluminum fender (pictured on the left). He utilized this method for a number of the fender fabrications that were completed during his time with Rob Ida. Another fender fabrication he performed on a 1928 Ford Model A (pictured on the right). Max constructed the rear fender well covers out of aluminum and assisted in their installation.