Clarion University–Venango Campus will host an open house for students interested in the Electric Utility Technology concentration of the Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Technology Degree, which is offered through a partnership between FirstEnergy Corporation, the parent company of Penelec, and Clarion University. The open house will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., in the Robert W. Rhoades Center at the campus. The program is free and open to all interested persons. Tours of the campus will be available following the program. Students do not need to pre-register.
This award-winning two-year program is designed to educate future electric utility professionals with an emphasis on overhead line work. Launched in fall 2005 at the Venango Campus, it is the only such program in FirstEnergy's Penelec service area.
FirstEnergy provides qualified students enrolled in the program free tuition, including college fees, books, and a stipend toward protective clothing. In exchange, students sign an agreement to work for FirstEnergy for a period of three years after graduation from the program.
The open house program will be presented by representatives of FirstEnergy Corporation's Power Systems Institute (PSI) and Professor Bill Hallock, chair of the university's Department of Applied Technology.
Information will also be available at the open house about other concentrations of study offered through the Department of Applied Technology. Under this unique model, students complete general education and business courses at Clarion University-Venango Campus and the technical component of the degree through licensed, certified, accredited and/or otherwise approved technical education providers. Graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Technology or Administration Technology degree from Clarion University.
In addition to FirstEnergy, the university's Department of Applied Technology has partnerships with Precision Manufacturing Institute (PMI) in Meadville; The Learning Center in Seneca; the National Hardwood Lumber Association in Memphis, Tennessee; Triangle Tech, which has campuses in Pittsburgh, Erie, Greensburg, DuBois, and Sunbury, Pennsylvania; and Preferred Systems, Inc. of Erie.
To learn more about the Applied Technology programs, contact Dr. Hallock at 814-676-6591, ext. 1307, or whallock@clarion.edu, or visit www.clarion.edu/appliedtech.
Clarion University–Venango Campus, located in Oil City, is the oldest regional campus in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. The campus provides high-quality educational programs and personalized services to help students succeed. Students can begin any of Clarion University's 90+ bachelor's degrees at the Venango Campus, earn an associate degree, a bachelor's or master's degree in select areas, obtain a one-year certificate or participate in a variety of professional development and personal enrichment courses. The campus is home to Clarion University's School of Nursing and Allied Health, the Department of Applied Technology, and the Venango Department of Arts and Sciences. Clarion University–Venango Campus is committed to serving the needs of the community.
