WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – With a $300,000 gift from alumnus Larry A. Ward, Pennsylvania College of Technology is creating an innovative lab on its main campus to bridge the gap between the design and manufacturability of products.
The Larry A. Ward ’66 Engineering Design Pilot Plant will be a dedicated space that provides hands-on access to manufacturing tools, enabling engineering design students to translate concepts into real-world prototypes. By focusing on manufacturability, students will learn to design smarter, more efficient products with real-world constraints in mind.
“Larry cares deeply about manufacturing in this nation, and his steadfast commitment is another demonstration of his belief in Penn College and our ability to educate highly skilled graduates for this critical industry,” said Loni N. Kline, senior vice president for college relations. “We are deeply grateful for his ongoing, transformational support.”
Ward – a 1966 graduate in engineering drafting technology – made his first transformative gift to the college in 2020. His $1 million-plus donation led to the renovation of a machining lab into the Larry A. Ward ’66 Machining Technologies Center, featuring 50 new mills and lathes that facilitate both manual and automated operations.
A titan of the packaging industry, Ward sold his company, Packaging Progressions Inc., in 2019 before retiring from a 50-year career marked by entrepreneurship and ingenuity.
“I’ve seen firsthand how vital real-world prototyping and manufacturing expertise are to scaling innovation. That’s why I’m thrilled to support the Larry A. Ward ’66 Engineering Design Pilot Plant at Penn College,” Ward said. “This state-of-the-art facility – equipped with cutting-edge tools – will empower aspiring engineers and designers to bridge the gap between concept and manufacturability. It will accelerate their path to industry-ready proficiency, minimizing the pitfalls I once endured, and foster the next generation of tomorrow makers.
“This pilot plant isn’t just a lab – it’s a launch pad for tomorrow’s manufacturing leaders. It will be an invaluable addition to Penn College, honoring our shared commitment to hands-on excellence.”
A storage area and a classroom in College Avenue Labs will be renovated and combined to form the Larry A. Ward ’66 Engineering Design Pilot Plant, allowing for design collaboration and product development. The new space will include equipment such as a CNC mill and lathe, a tabletop injection molder, a waterjet, 3D printers, and electrical and metrology tools.
The space will be incorporated into the curriculum for the college’s ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree in engineering design technology. Department faculty created the idea for the lab with input from students, industry advisory committee members and colleagues from other academic disciplines.
“The pilot plant will build the hands-on manufacturing skills every good designer needs,” said Alex E. Marconnet, instructor of engineering design. “Students will see the full production path from model to machined component/finished product. Every good designer needs an intuitive understanding of ‘How can I make this feature?’ and ‘How will this impact machining time and cost?’ This type of experience improves readiness for young engineers in design roles and reduces onboarding time for employers.”
It’s anticipated that the Larry A. Ward ’66 Engineering Design Pilot Plant will be operational for the Fall 2026 semester.
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For information on the engineering design technology major and other programs offered by Penn College’s School of Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520 or visit www.pct.edu/et.
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