WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Two residential construction textbooks authored by a Pennsylvania College of Technology faculty member were published recently by The Goodheart-Wilcox Co. Inc.
Jack Jones, associate professor of building construction technology, wrote a new textbook: “Principles of Residential Construction: Essential Skills and Practices,” and authored the 14th edition of “Modern Carpentry.”
“Principles of Residential Construction: Essential Skills and Practices” is a 623-page textbook designed for secondary education. With an accompanying skill-building workbook that was written by Peter Kruppenbacher, assistant professor of building construction technology at the college, it is designed to give students hands-on experience from day one. Each chapter introduces a new phase of construction and the related materials, tools, safety concerns, math skills, drawings and plans, and sustainable practices. The package aligns with the Home Builders Institute Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training Core and Green Core exams offered by the National Association of Home Builders and NOCTI.
Jones authored both the 13th and 14th editions of “Modern Carpentry,” updating the nearly 1,000-page text for the modern classroom. Targeted to post-secondary programs, the book provides detailed coverage of all aspects of residential and light commercial construction, including site preparation and layout, foundations, framing and sheathing, roofing, windows and doors, exterior finish, stairs, cabinetry, and finishing. The chapters are organized in a sequence similar to the order builders use to complete home construction. The edition provides increased coverage of safe work practices, building code requirements and essential soft skills for carpenters.
“We were thrilled when Jack joined our building construction team!” said Ellyn A. Lester, assistant dean of construction and architectural technologies. “He’s had an immediate impact on the students and our program overall, as evidenced by this joint project with Pete, one of the longstanding members of our faculty. I'm so glad he’s sharing his expertise in such an expansive way.”
Jones has over 25 years of experience as a carpenter, general contractor and educator, with a background in both commercial and residential construction.
Before joining the Penn College faculty in 2022, Jones taught at Alfred State College for 12 years, where he served as the building construction department chair.
He is an outreach trainer for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and a former member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and the Rochester Builders Exchange. He is an honorary member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, through which he received an Excellence in Teaching Award.
Jones holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania (now Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania – Mansfield).
To learn more about the building construction program at Penn College – which includes associate degrees in building construction technology and concrete science technology and a bachelor’s in residential construction technology & management – call 570-327-4520 or visit www.pct.edu/building.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.eduor call toll-free 800-367-9222.